If you’ve been a council or housing association tenant for three years or more, you could have the right to buy your home at a discount. It’s a big step, and the process comes with its own rules, deadlines, and paperwork that don’t apply to an ordinary house purchase. Our right to buy conveyancing solicitors in Manchester, Sale, and Chester handle the legal side from start to finish, so you know exactly where you stand.
Right to buy conveyancing is the legal process of buying your council or housing association home under the government’s Right to Buy scheme. It covers everything from reviewing your Section 125 offer notice through to completion and registration with HM Land Registry.
To qualify, you need to have been a public sector tenant for at least three years, whether that’s with a council, housing association, NHS trust, or the armed forces. The discount you receive depends on how long you’ve been a tenant and whether you’re buying a house or a flat: 35% for houses and 50% for flats after three years, rising each year after that up to a maximum of 70% of the property’s value. In the North West, the maximum cash discount is currently £26,000.
The government has confirmed further reforms to the scheme, including a longer qualifying period and lower discount caps, though these are not yet in force. We’ll keep this page updated as the changes take effect.
Right to buy conveyancing services we offer
Section 125 notice review
A Section 125 notice is the council’s formal offer to sell, setting out the purchase price, discount, and any known structural defects. We review this in detail before you commit, checking the valuation is fair and flagging anything that could affect your decision. If you believe the valuation is too high, we can advise on referring it to the District Valuer for an independent assessment.
Right to buy leasehold conveyancing
If you’re buying a flat or maisonette, your purchase will usually be leasehold rather than freehold. We check the lease terms carefully, including service charge estimates, ground rent, and any restrictions on subletting or alterations, so there are no surprises once you own the property. Our right to buy conveyancing solicitors in Manchester, Sale, and Chester regularly handle leasehold right to buy purchases for council and housing association tenants across the North West.
Right to buy mortgages
Most right to buy purchases involve a mortgage, since the discount rarely covers the full cost. We liaise directly with your lender to confirm they’re satisfied with the discounted valuation and that the mortgage offer reflects the terms of your purchase, keeping things moving within the council’s timeframes.
Resale restrictions and the Housing Act charge
A charge is registered against the property to protect the council’s right to reclaim some or all of the discount if you sell within five years. We explain exactly what this means for you, including any right of first refusal the council may hold if you’re selling a leasehold flat within ten years.
Preserved right to buy
If your home was transferred from the council to a housing association, you may still qualify under Preserved Right to Buy. We’ll confirm your position and guide you through the same process on the same terms.
How the right to buy conveyancing process works
The right to buy process follows a structured timeline set by your landlord, with strict deadlines at each stage. Here’s what to expect.
Submit your RTB1 application
Complete and send the RTB1 form to your council or housing association. This confirms your intention to buy and starts the clock on your landlord’s response.
Receive your landlord’s decision
Your landlord must respond within 4 weeks, or 8 weeks if they’ve been your landlord for less than 3 years. This comes as an RTB2 notice confirming whether you qualify.
Get your Section 125 offer notice
If approved, your landlord issues a formal offer within 8 weeks (freehold) or 12 weeks (leasehold), setting out the price, discount, and any known defects.
Instruct your solicitor
This is the point to bring us in. We review the offer, check the title, and begin the leasehold or freehold checks needed before you commit.
Respond within 12 weeks
You have 12 weeks from the Section 125 notice to accept, decline, or request a District Valuer assessment if you disagree with the valuation.
Complete your purchase
Once you accept, conveyancing typically takes 8–12 weeks, covering mortgage arrangements, searches, and final registration with HM Land Registry.
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Why choose Slater Heelis as your right to buy conveyancing solicitors
Straight-talking advice on a scheme that isn’t always straightforward
Right to buy comes with rules that don’t apply to a standard house purchase, from valuation challenges to resale restrictions. We explain what each stage means for you in plain English, without the legal jargon, so you always know what you’re agreeing to and why.
Experience across council and housing association purchases
We act for tenants buying through councils and housing associations across Manchester, Sale, and Chester, including leasehold flats, Preserved Right to Buy cases, and purchases involving a Housing Act charge. We know the pressure points that tend to cause delays and deal with them early.
CQS accredited and regulated
We hold Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation, the Law Society’s recognised standard for residential conveyancing. You’re working with a firm that meets that bar on every transaction, not just the straightforward ones.
Rooted in the North West
We’ve built our reputation on common-sense advice for people across the region, not on high fees or complicated processes. Our Manchester, Sale, and Chester offices mean face-to-face advice is never far away if you’d rather talk things through in person.
Trusted by people who’ve been through the process
We’re rated 4.9/5 on ReviewSolicitors from over 1,900 reviews, and recognised in the Times Best Law Firms 2026. That reputation is built on doing right by clients making one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.
conveyancing team is expected to meet on every transaction, auction or otherwise.
If you’re thinking about exercising your right to buy, or you’ve already received your Section 125 notice, our right to buy conveyancing solicitors are ready to help.
Our offices in Manchester, Sale, and Chester are open for face-to-face meetings, and we regularly work with clients across the UK, with meetings at other locations available by appointment.
Frequently asked questions about right to buy conveyancing
Do I need a solicitor for right to buy?
You’re not legally required to use a solicitor, but it’s strongly recommended. A right to buy conveyancing solicitor reviews your Section 125 notice, checks the title for restrictions, and manages the strict deadlines set by your landlord, reducing the risk of costly mistakes or delays.
How much does right to buy conveyancing cost?
Right to buy conveyancing typically costs less than a standard purchase, since there’s no estate agent or chain involved. Fees vary depending on whether you’re buying freehold or leasehold, so ask for a fixed-fee quote upfront that covers legal work, searches, and disbursements.
How long does the right to buy process take?
The full process typically takes 3 to 6 months from application to completion. Your landlord has 4 to 8 weeks to respond to your RTB1 application, then 8 to 12 weeks to issue the Section 125 notice, and conveyancing itself usually takes 8 to 12 weeks.
What's the difference between right to buy and right to acquire?
Right to buy applies to council tenants and some housing association tenants with older tenancies. Right to acquire applies to housing association tenants whose homes were built or acquired with public funding after 1997. The discount available is generally lower under right to acquire.
What should I look for in a right to buy solicitor?
Look for a solicitor with specific experience in right to buy conveyancing, not just general residential property work. They should understand Section 125 notices, Housing Act charges, and resale restrictions, and hold CQS accreditation as a marker of quality and lender acceptance.
Can I get a mortgage for a right to buy purchase?
Yes, most right to buy purchases involve a mortgage, since the discount rarely covers the full price. Lenders treat the discount as equity rather than cash, so it counts towards your deposit. Your solicitor will liaise with your lender to confirm the mortgage offer reflects the discounted valuation.
Can I challenge the council's valuation?
Yes, if you believe the valuation in your Section 125 notice is too high, you can ask for it to be referred to the District Valuer. You must do this within 3 months of receiving the notice, and the District Valuer’s decision is final.
What happens if I sell my home before the discount period ends?
You’ll need to repay some or all of your discount if you sell within 5 years of buying, on a sliding scale depending on how long you’ve owned the property. Selling within the first year usually means repaying the full discount.
What is Preserved Right to Buy?
Preserved Right to Buy applies if your home was transferred from a council to a housing association after you became a tenant. It allows you to buy your home on the same terms as if the council still owned it, including the same discount entitlement.
What happens if my right to buy application is refused?
Your landlord must explain their reasons in writing if they refuse your application. If you disagree with the decision, you can appeal to the First-Tier Tribunal within 56 days of receiving the RTB2 notice confirming the refusal.
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