How do I buy my home?

Preserved right to buy (PRTB)

Who has the PRTB?

Seven Locks Housing tenants who had a secure Tenancy with Harborough District Council at the time of transfer to Seven Locks Housing on 3rd December 2007. These secure tenants became assured tenants with the transfer, but kept their statutory right to buy their home at a discount.

What is the qualifying period?

You will need to have been a Public Sector Tenant for a minimum of 2 years, (or 5 years if your tenancy began after 18th January 2005)

What will my discount be?

You can buy your home at a price lower than the full market value.
The length of time you have spent as a tenant entitles you to a discount. (up to a maximum amount of £24,000 for this area).

Right to acquire (RTA)

Who has the RTA?

This generally applies to tenants who were not secure tenants of Harborough District Council at the time of the transfer to Seven Locks Housing. If you became an Assured Non Shorthold tenant of Seven Locks Housing on or after 3rd December 2007 then you may be eligible for the Right to Acquire.

What will my discount be?

The discounts for this scheme are fixed amounts published by the Government, and apply to the area where you live. The discounts will vary from property to property and from area to area. Currently the discount ranges from £9,000-£16,000.

General information for both schemes

Exemptions from the PRTB & RTA

There are certain properties exempt from both schemes E.g. Sheltered Housing Schemes & properties not owned by SLH.

There are also certain people who are exempt E.g. tenants who have a possession order against them & tenants with an Anti Social Behaviour Order against them. (This is not an exhaustive list)

How do I apply for PRTB or RTA?

Application forms for both schemes are available from Wendy Coombes at SLH on (01858) 414503, who will advise you about which scheme you may qualify for.

1. You need to complete an application form and return it to us
2. We will normally let you know in writing if you qualify within 4 weeks of receipt of your application
3. If you qualify an independent valuer will arrange to visit your home to carry out an open market valuation
4. Within 8 weeks (if you live in a house) or 12 weeks (if you live in a flat) we will send you a written offer notice setting out the sale terms
5. If you wish to proceed on the terms set out in the offer notice, you must advise us no later than 12 weeks from the date of the offer notice that you wish to proceed.

SLH staff are unable to offer mortgage advice so you may want to consult an independent mortgage advisor.

If you sell your property within the “discount repayment period” which is 5 years you will have to repay some or all of the discount.

All repairs and maintenance to your property will be your responsibility after you have bought it.

For further information you can request a copy of the leaflet entitled “Your Right to Buy your Home” from www.communities.gov.uk or “A Guide to the Right to Acquire” from www.housingcorp.gov.uk

Seven Locks Housing Limited. Registered Office - 1a, Anson House, 8 Compass Point, Northampton Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire. LE16 9HW
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