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Step 8 Telling your landlord what you want to do next

You will see that you have a lot of choices at this stage. The information contained in your Section 125 notice may not be straightforward and easy to understand. You will now have to decide if you want to:

• buy your home outright for the full Right to Buy price, less any discount for which you are eligible;
• forget about buying, withdraw your application, and carry on paying rent.

When you have decided, you must tell your landlord in writing. You must let him know your decision within 12 weeks of receiving your Section 125 notice. If you have asked to have your house valued by the District Valuer you must tell your landlord what you want to do within 12 weeks of getting that valuation.

If you do not let your landlord know what you intend to do in time, the landlord will send you a reminder. If you do not reply within 28 days, your landlord will think you don't want to buy, and your application will not be dealt with any further.

If for any reason you are not able to decide within the time limit what you want to do, you can ask the landlord to wait a bit longer for your reply. If you are unable to decide for a good reason (for example, if you were in hospital and you could not return the form in time), you should tell your landlord and your time limit will then be extended automatically.

You don't have to buy your home just because you have told your landlord you want to. You can still change your mind. But if you do not tell your landlord what you want to do, your landlord will think you don't want to buy, and you will have to start again. If the value of your home has gone up in the meantime, then you will have to pay the higher price.

This guide is adapted from Your Right To Buy Your Home, © Crown Copyright 2005; Amended Reprint March 2006. Posted on this site August 2008.

AboutYour Right To Buy

The RTB scheme provides public sector (council or housing association) tenants the opportunity to buy the home they have been living in. It's an ideal opportunity to buy your house, an opportunity that was not a reality for many council tenants prior to the beginning of the programme. If you live in a flat or house that is owned by the local council or housing association and have been there for 5 years or more you could well be on your way to becoming a home-owner. Simply make an application to your council or landlord to find out if you qualify. If you are accepted onto the RTB programme you could well be owning your own property within a few months. Many high street banks and building societies (like Cahoot or Swansea Building Society) will not lend against a right to buy property so you may need to contact a right to buy mortgage advisor who is qualified to handle a property purchase under the programme and will be able to provide any advice you need.