Right to buy

This page provides information about buying your council home, checking if you qualify, and advice on the application process.

On this page:

Eligibility to buy your council home

You can apply to buy your council house if you:

  • have been a secure tenant for at least three years
  • are not bankrupt or in rent arrears
  • are not in sheltered housing
  • are named on the tenancy agreement

It usually takes us 16 weeks to calculate the valuation of your property and what discount you will receive.

You will need to be able to afford to purchase the property yourself, and therefore if you are going to need to borrow money to complete the purchase, such as a mortgage, please ensure that you seek independent financial and legal advice.

Applying to buy your council home

The maximum discount available is £16,000. Find current discount entitlements on GOV.UK website – Right to Buy: buying your council home.

Before starting the application process

Read the Right to Buy handbook and Right to Buy policy before starting the application process.

Completing the Right to Buy form

You will need to complete the Right to Buy form and our Right to Buy – supplementary form.

The Right to Buy application should be emailed to homeownership@reading.gov.uk along with the following documents. Photo ID will need to be brought into the Civic Centre in person.

Primary identity documents (1 document from the list)

  • passport
  • biometric residence permit
  • birth certificate

Other identity documents (1 document from the list)

  • current driving licence – photocard
  • marriage/civil partnership certificate
  • adoption certificate
  • HM forces ID card

Residency documents (12 months consecutive proof needed, one document per month)

  • bank or building society statement or account opening letter
  • credit card statement
  • wage slips
  • P45
  • P60
  • financial statement, for example, pension/endowment
  • work permit/visa
  • utility bill
  • benefit statement, for example, child benefit/pension

Bank or mortgage lender proof that you can buy the property

You will need to provide evidence from your bank or mortgage lender that you have the financial means to buy the property.

If you have lived in a number of qualifying properties, you will need to prove the former tenancies if you want them to be taken into consideration when calculating the discount.

Additional borrowing

If you apply for additional borrowing during the repayment period, you may need to obtain a deed of postponement. Deeds of postponement are only granted to allow borrowing for home improvements.

Certificate of Compliance – selling a Right to Buy home

If you bought your property under the Right to Buy scheme, there are legal conditions attached to your home. These are recorded on the property title at the Land Registry.

When you sell your home, a Certificate of Compliance may be required to confirm that these conditions have been met.

What is a Certificate of Compliance?

A Certificate of Compliance is confirmation from the council that you have followed the Right to Buy rules when selling your home.

It allows the sale to be completed and the property to be registered in the buyer’s name.

Why is it needed?

The certificate confirms that:

  • Any Right to Buy discount repayment due has been paid (this usually applies if you sell within the first 5 years), and/or
  • The right of first refusal has been followed (this applies if you sell within 10 years of purchase)

Without this certificate, the buyer’s solicitor cannot complete the sale.

When will I need one?

You are likely to need a Certificate of Compliance if:

  • You are selling within 5 years of buying your home under Right to Buy
  • You are selling within 10 years and were required to offer the property back to the council
  • There is a Right to Buy restriction on the title of your property

Even if no money is owed, a certificate may still be required.

How do I get a Certificate of Compliance?

To start the process, you should contact the Homeownership Team as soon as you decide to sell your property.

Your solicitor or conveyancer will usually then apply for the Certificate of Compliance as part of the sale process, but early contact with the Homeownership Team helps avoid delays.

Will this delay my sale?

It can, if the request is made late in the process. Contacting the Homeownership Team early and telling your solicitor that the property was bought under Right to Buy will help your sale proceed smoothly.

Getting in touch and further advice

Please contact the Homeownership Team on 0118 937 2092 or homeownership@reading.gov.uk if you any further questions.

Last updated on 08/05/2026