Applying to Buy
Last updated | 09/07/2010
If you decide to buy your home, this section can help you understand each stage.
Step 1 - Before you buy
Buying your home may be one of the biggest decisions you will have to make. Before deciding, you should get as much advice as possible. You may wish to speak to family, friends, your bank or solicitor or the Citizen's Advice Bureau. You may also wish to contact your local area office for advice at this stage.
Step 2 - Applying to buy
The first step is to obtain an Application to Buy Form (Form APP1) from your local area office. Read the notes carefully before you fill in the form and when you're ready, return the completed form to your local area office. It is preferable to return the form by hand and make sure you get a receipt. If you need to post the form, you should use recorded delivery. You should also keep a copy of the form for yourself.
Step 3 - Confirming you have no arrears
It is likely that the Council will refuse to sell if you have arrears of rent, council tax, water and sewerage or other charges associated with your current or previous tenancies. It is important therefore that you are up to date with all such payments before you apply to buy.
Step 4 - Arranging to have your property valued
Once you have applied to buy your home, the Council will arrange for the property to be valued. Your discount entitlement will be applied to the established 'market value' and this will determine the price you have to pay. You will not be asked to pay for this valuation although you may have to arrange your own survey for mortgage purposes.
Step 5 - The offer of sale
If the Council has agreed to sell your home to you, the next step is that we will send you, within 2 months of receipt of your application, an offer to sell which tells you the price you have to pay and the terms and conditions of the sale. If you are happy with the offer, you have 2 months to accept it. If you leave it longer than this, you may have to submit a fresh application.
Step 6 - Getting legal advice
You should always get legal advice, particularly if you have concerns about the terms of sale.
Step 7 - Getting a mortgage
If you need a mortgage and have not already looked into the matter, this is when you should go to a bank, building society or other financial institution. There are various types of mortgage available and you should consider your options carefully to see which one will suit you better.
Step 8 - Arranging a survey
You do not have to do this but it is strongly recommended so that you have good idea of the condition of the house before you take over the responsibility for its repair and maintenance. The valuation carried out for the purpose of calculating the price is not a structural survey and may not disclose details of defects in the property.
Step 9 - Completing your purchase
If you are happy with the terms of sale and have arranged to raise the money, you are ready to go ahead and buy. Once you or your solicitor have accepted the offer to sell, a binding contract for the purchase of your home is created between you and the Council. If however, you decide at this stage or earlier, not to accept the offer to sell, you may continue renting your home as before. You can re-apply to purchase your hoe at any time in the future.
