Right to buy
What is Right-to-Buy?
Right-to-Buy is a government low-cost-home-ownership option whereby eligible tenants can purchase the property they currently rent from Sentinel, with the benefit of a discount.
Example:
1 bedroom flat in Basingstoke
Valued at £100,000
Less £38,000 Right-to-Buy discount
Eligible tenant can purchase this property for £62,000
How much discount do I get off the purchase price?
The maximum discount entitlement for tenants living in the following Local Authority areas is:
- Hart District Council £16,000,
- Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council £38,000
Regardless of the tenancy duration the discount is subject to these maximum discount levels, as determined by the government.
If you have purchased a property under the Right-to-Buy option before and qualify again, your discount will reduced by the amount previously claimed.
Who is eligible to apply?
Former tenants of:
- Hart District Council (before 9th March 1994)
- Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council (before 20th March 1995)
Why are they the only tenants eligible?
Hart Housing Association was formed on 9 March 1994 and Oakfern Housing Association on 20 March 1995, from the large scale voluntary transfer of housing stock from their respective Local Authority.
A condition of both stock transfers was that Secure tenants who qualified for the Right-to-Buy whilst housed by the Local Authority, were to become protected assured tenants of Sentinel with the preserved Right-to-Buy.
NB: Kingfisher Housing Association was also formed on 20 March 1995, from the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council housing stock transfer. Qualifying tenants can transfer between Kingfisher Housing Association properties and those of the former Oakfern Housing Association whilst retaining their preserved Right-to-Buy, if they maintain a consecutive tenancy, and the property they transfer to is eligible.
Further eligibility conditions for tenants:
Tenants who are either:
- bankrupt or have a bankruptcy petition pending;
- subject to a possession order;
- are the subject of an on-going Anti-Social behaviour investigation, or have been found to have perpetrated anti-social behaviour in the preceding 2 years of their application to purchase; or
- have been in rent arrears in the last 12 months
Will not be able to purchase.
Further information is available concerning joint tenancies, qualifying successor of tenancies and the inclusion of family members in the purchase of a property. Please call the Sentinel Homescope team on: 01256 338800.
Are there any properties that are not available to purchase, even if the tenant meets all other eligibility conditions?
Yes. If an eligible tenant’s current property falls into one of the following categories, they are not eligible to purchase:
- sheltered accommodation
- properties subject to rural restrictions
- properties specifically adapted for tenants with disabilities
- properties deemed particularly suitable for elderly tenants
- properties where an ‘initial demolition notice’ has been served
- properties that would be difficult to replace either due to type or location, e.g. four bedroom properties
Important information for eligible tenants who wish to purchase the flat they currently rent from Sentinel
If you purchase a flat from Sentinel you will be required to make annual payments for ground rent and service charges, and pay towards the repair and major works costs to the common areas and structure of the building, regardless of whether they directly affect your dwelling.
In the majority of cases, purchaser’s of houses will also have to pay a service charge for items like: Buildings insurance, maintenance on communal areas on the estate, maintenance for un-adopted roads/ car-parking spaces etc. The service charge does not include maintenance of the house itself.
I think I am eligible and the property I currently rent from Sentinel is eligible. How do I apply?
- Contact Sentinel Housing Association and ask for an RTB1 form.
- Within four weeks of Sentinel receiving your completed RTB1 you should receive an RTB2, which will either confirm or deny your Right-to-Buy.
- If you do qualify for the Right-to-Buy, your property will be valued as at the date on which Sentinel received your completed RTB1. Sentinel will appoint an independent surveyor to provide a market valuation for your property. Sentinel will invite you to purchase your property under a Section 125 Notice.
- From the date you receive the Section 125 Notice offering to sell you the property, you have twelve weeks to confirm your intention to purchase, failure to confirm your intention to purchase will result in Sentinel initiating proceedings to withdraw your application.
Frequently asked questions
Will Sentinel continue to repair my property?
Sentinel will not carry out any repairs or maintenance on your property from the moment you apply to purchase your property and from there-on after. If you do not complete the property purchase you will revert back to being a tenant, whereby Sentinel will repair and maintain your property.
After I purchase the property from Sentinel, am I free to sell it whenever I want to?
You will not be able to sell the property within five years without repaying some, if not all, of the discount back to Sentinel. The repayment will also include a consideration of the revised property value at the date of re-sale. You will be responsible for all valuation and administration costs.
More information
The information provided above is only a guide to the Right-to-Buy option and should not be considered to be exhaustive. If you believe you qualify for the Right-to-Buy option and would like more information before applying, please contact the Sentinel leasehold team on 01256 338800, or e-mail Leasehold@sentinelha.org.uk and ask for a copy of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister booklet,‘Your Right-to-Buy your home’. Alternatively the booklet and other home ownership information can be obtained directly from the Department for Communities and Local Government, which can be contacted at www.communities.gov.uk. With Right-to-Buy being a government scheme, Sentinel is led by any government changes that supersede this information.
