Buying your rented home

While you are in the application process, you will only be entitled to essential and emergency repairs. If your property is a house you will not be included in any major works programmes and once you complete the sale, you will be responsible for any repairs needed to your home.

If your application is withdrawn then you will be able to access the normal repairs service. If your property is a flat we will not carry out any works inside the property but we are still responsible for maintaining the exterior of the block.

Each property is valued on a market valuation basis by a qualified surveyor. The added value of any improvements you have carried out yourself will not be included in the valuation.

For an initial estimation of your property’s value, you might want to research recent sales of similar properties in your immediate area.

You can sell your home whenever you like but if you sell within the first five years you will have to pay back all or part of the discount you received. Any discount to be repaid will be calculated on the current resale value of your home disregarding any improvements you have carried out yourself.

All of the discount will have to be repaid in the first year after purchase. Four fifths is repayable in the second year, three fifths in the third year, two fifths in the fourth year and one fifth in the fifth year. Also you must offer us first refusal if you sell the property within 10 years.

We will process your application in line with relevant legislation and our RTB/A policy, taking measures to protect the scheme from crime and misuse.

Following on from receipt of your application, we will contact you to acknowledge receipt and notify you of the anti-fraud process.

You will keep your own tenancy history and rights for the purpose of RTA.

However, you will only be able exercise RTA in your new home if the property is eligible, so it’s best to check this before agreeing any mutual exchange.