Right to Buy

Under current legislation, once you've been a social housing tenant for 5 years you may be able to buy your home. You may also be entitled to a discount to help purchase the property. The amount of discount you'll get depends on things like how long you've lived in the property and the age of the property. For example if the property is less than 10 years old then there will be no discount and it will be offered for sale at market value. Note that some types of property can't be bought because they are difficult to come by and are needed for social housing stock.

If you and your property are eligible, you can buy all or part of your home. Regardless of how much of the property you buy, you will be responsible for all repairs and maintenance on the property once the sale has completed.

To apply to buy your Clanmil home please complete this form and return, along with the valuation fee, to:

Development Team
Clanmil Housing Group
Northern Whig House
3 Waring Street
Belfast BT1 2DX

Before applying to buy your home, you should be aware that:

• To apply you must have been a social housing tenant for a period of at least 5 years. You don’t have to have lived at the same address, or have rented your home from the same landlord, for all of that time, nor does it need to be consecutive.
• To confirm, the association will not be carrying out any planned or cyclical maintenance to your property when you are part of the right to buy process.
• You may be entitled to discount on the purchase price. This depends on the age of the property, or when we acquired the property if we did not construct it, and the conditions of your tenancy.
• We need you to pay a valuation fee upfront. The valuation fee depends on where you live, however wouldn’t normally be more than £200. IF YOUR APPLICATION IS UNSUCCESSFUL THE VALUATION FEE YOU HAVE PAID WILL NOT BE REFUNDED.
• Once a valuation has been carried out, it will last for 6 months. If the process takes longer than this, a new valuation will be required. This could cause the cost of the property to increase and you may need to increase your mortgage.
• The process to buy your home can be lengthy and complicated. Please apply only if you fully intend to purchase your home and believe you will be able to secure a mortgage.
• We will require proof of your mortgage offer within 4 weeks of our offer letter to you.
• WE STRONGLY ADVISE THAT YOU CONSULT A MORTGAGE ADVISOR BEFORE APPLYING.
• Your application may not be accepted if you are in breach of your tenancy agreement. For example, because of anti-social behaviour, rent arrears or sub-letting of the property.