The Right to Buy (RTB) and Right to Acquire (RTA) schemes give eligible residents the opportunity to buy the home they currently rent, aided by a discount towards the market value.

In general terms, Sanctuary Housing Association’ residents may be eligible to purchase their property under one of the following schemes:

The Preserved Right to Buy (PRTB): this applies to former secure local authority residents who have changed landlord due to a stock transfer from their local authority to a registered social landlord such as Sanctuary. These secure tenants become assured tenants with the transfer, but keep their statutory right to buy their home at a discount.

Sanctuary's Voluntary Sales Policy (VSP): this is a contractual Right to Buy for eligible secure tenants of a previously non-charitable registered social landlord, which has merged with Sanctuary Housing Association.

The Right to Acquire scheme: applies to eligible secure and assured non shorthold tenants living in a property which qualifies for the scheme. The properties affected are generally speaking, schemes built or purchased using social housing grant where the grant confirmation was given after 1st April 1997 and stock transfer housing where the transfer happened after the same date.

The information contained in the document below explains the procedure for claiming the Right to Buy or Right to Acquire, including who can exercise the Right to Buy/Right to Acquire, exceptions to the scheme and how to apply. The information also highlights the financial implications of owning ones own home, which you need to consider before deciding to buy.

 View the document here

If you have any further queries, please contact your local housing officer.