The Right to Buy Scheme is a government scheme which allows tenants renting their homes from a public body (local authority or housing association) in England and Wales to have the opportunity to purchase their property at a price which is lower than the full market value.
To be eligible for the Right to Buy Scheme you must:
- Have been a council/public sector tenant for at least 5 years
- Not owe any outstanding money to creditors
- Not own any other homes as your “main home”
- Not have been ordered to vacate the property by the courts
- Not have been/in the process of being declared bankrupt
- Be looking to buy a fully self-contained property
The Right to Buy Scheme is a great way to get onto the property ladder and own the home you and your family are already settled into. The scheme can offer discounts of up to £77,000 for properties outside of London.
In some situations, the council may have sold the property to another housing association while you have been living in it. In this case you will have been sent a notification of this, but it doesn’t necessarily exclude you from the opportunity to buy the property for a discounted price. You may still qualify to buy the property under a Preserved Right to Buy Scheme. Speak to Farleys Solicitors for more information about the Preserved Right to Buy Scheme.
Right to Buy Solicitors
Right to Buy law can be quite complex so it is important you speak with an experienced property solicitor or conveyancer at the earliest opportunity. They will be able to talk you through your options and ensure all legal aspects of the purchase have been covered, making you aware of any obligations including what happens when you decide to sell the property.
Solicitors for Compulsory Purchase Orders
Being issued with a compulsory purchase order for your property by the local authority can be daunting and make you feel as if you have no where to turn but help is at hand from Farleys Solicitors.
With the upcoming Government infrastructure projects such as HS1 and HS2, as well as local projects such as tram network expansions, it is not uncommon to be issued with a compulsory purchase order from the council for the purchase of your property when it is deemed to be “in the public interest”.
It is important to remember that receiving a compulsory purchase order (CPO) is not a direct demand to leave your property immediately; it is simply an application to a government department to be given the powers to force you to sell. These powers could take some time to be granted, depending on the steps you take once you are aware of the CPO, so it is important you speak to a professional at the earliest opportunity for advice and guidance.
Farleys Solicitors has a team of solicitors and conveyancers with experience of dealing with CPO matters including:
- Blight notices
- Negotiating property sales
- Negotiating compensation
- Drafting contracts
- Liaising with sellers, mortgage advisors, land registry etc.
The team will keep you informed throughout the process and ensure all your questions are answered. We also have an experienced litigation team who can provide advice and guidance if you choose to object to the CPO.
