Although rumours and misinformation are often spread about the future of Right to Buy (RTB), the Government have stated that they remain totally committed to the principle of Right to Buy.

There is concern that RTB sales are reducing the number of affordable rented houses available and some unscrupulous companies are taking advantage of tenants and exploiting the discount rules. As this has tended to be focused in London and the South East, Government reduced the maximum discount to £16,000 in 41 local authorities in that region.

The maximum discount in Swindon stays at £30,000. The most recent changes in the RTB rules were brought about by the Housing Act 2004 which came into force in 2005 and affects all applications submitted after 18/01/05. Details on the following PDF file: Housing Act 2004 Summary

Download the Right to Buy Information Pack

The Government booklet - Your Right to Buy Your Home. (This booklet can be provided in other languages.)

Claim form (Online form) - Right to Buy (RTB1) Form

Claim form (PDF form) - Right to Buy (RTB1) Form

Covering Letter – RTB1 Letter

Summary of latest legislation – Housing Act 2004 Summary

Statutory RTB Information – Important Information for Tenants

Further Information/Contact

Free advice and assistance is available from the Right To Buy/Leasehold Officer, including home visits in normal office hours:

Rama Manro
Right To Buy/ Leasehold Officer
Tel: 01793 464414
E-mail: rmanro@swindon.gov.uk

Minicom: 01793 436659 (for the deaf or hard of hearing)

If you require Council information in another format, please contact Customer Services on 01793 463725.

Warning

If you are approached by a person or company offering to help you buy your council home, check out what’s in it for them and talk to us before signing up for any deal. Tenants do not always receive good advice from private companies and individuals offering to help. Some companies offer money up front in a deal under which the company ends up owning the property. This is good for the company but not good for the tenant. Some tenants have even found themselves homeless after agreeing to such deals.

There are a number of mortgage providers from outside the Swindon area using door to door selling and leaflet delivery tactics to target Swindon Borough Council tenants. Often tenants will be encouraged to sign up there and then for mortgage services to help them to buy their council house or flat.

Please note, that these companies have no connection with Swindon Borough Council whatsoever and they are therefore not working for us or with our approval. We do not condone or support their working practices.

If you are approached by one of these companies, you are advised to be very careful, their charges can be very substantial indeed. Sometimes, tenants are asked to pay lots of money for things that we, as your landlords, do free of charge.

Don't sign anything you are not sure about. Consider shopping around to compare what similar services are available elsewhere, before signing up to anything. If in doubt, don't be pressurised and seek independent advice.