What is Right to Buy (RTB)?
The Right to Buy was introduced in 1980. It means that certain
tenants can buy their home at a discount to the full market value.
Your discount is based on the number of years you have spent as a
public sector tenant.
Who is eligible?
Not all Council tenants have the Right to Buy. You might be
eligible if:
- you are a tenant of the Royal Borough of Kensington and
Chelsea
- you were a tenant before 18 January 2005 and have been a tenant
for at least two years, or you became a tenant after 18 January
2005 and you have been a tenant for five years
- your home is your only or principal home
- your home is self-contained (you do not share a bathroom or
kitchen with another household)
There are circumstances when tenants are not entitled to buy
their home. In the Royal Borough the usual reasons for not being
able to buy are:
- the property is ‘sheltered accommodation’
- the property is occupied as part of your employment, for
example, as a caretaker or school-keeper
- a court has made a possession order which says that you must
leave your home
- you are an undischarged bankrupt, have a bankruptcy petition
pending against you, or have made an arrangement with creditors
(people you owe money to) and you still owe them money.
What is the process?
There are several stages you need to go
through when you buy your home.
Who should I contact for more details?
Please speak to your housing officer in the first instance about
the options available to you.
You will need to complete a form RTB1. Copies of this form are
available from the Tenant Management Organisation (TMO) on 0800 137
111.
If you would like to find out about other affordable home
ownership options, please contact the Housingline on 020 7361
3008.
Useful links