image of hand holding set of house keys with a row of houses in the background

Right to Buy applications with GCH

If you were a GCH tenant before 16 March 2015, you may have the Right to Buy and could be eligible to receive a discount up to the current maximum discount. If your tenancy started after 16 March 2015, you may have the Right to Acquire.  Please note not all of our homes will be eligible.

How to apply

If you’re thinking of applying for your Right to Buy, you should get independent legal and financial advice about your individual circumstances, and to help with the the legal process of buying a home. You may also want to get independent financial advice about the different types of mortgages that are available.

Take a look at our GCH Right to Buy Guide or GCH Right to Aquire Guide for more information.

Step 1:

  • To make an application, please complete a Right To Buy (RTB1) form. You’ll need to supply photo ID for anyone included on the application and proof of address for anyone who’s not a tenant.
  • You can send your application by post or hand deliver to: Gloucester City Homes, Railway House, Bruton Way, Gloucester GL1 1DG. 
  • By submitting your application, all applicants are giving consent to a soft credit check and vetting. Failure to disclose information may result in refusal of your application.

Step 2:

  • We’ll consider your eligibility for the RTB scheme.

Step 3:

  • After 4 weeks after we’ve received your application, we’ll issue you with a RTB2 form letting you know whether or not you can proceed with the Right to Buy.

Step 4:

  • If you’re eligible, we’ll arrange for a surveyor or valuer to contact you to arrange an appointment to value the property. Let us know if you need any adjustments to be taken into consideration for a visit to your home. Your property will be valued at the market value, based on the date of your application. Any discount you’re entitled to will depend on how long you’ve held your tenancy.

Step 5:

  • Within 8 – 12 weeks from receipt of the RTB2, we’ll provide you with a Offer Notice, confirming the property value, discount and details of any service charges you may need to pay. 

Step 6:

  • If you want to proceed with the RTB, you’ll need to instruct a solicitor and get a mortgage offer.
  • Once you’ve done this, please return the Notice of Intention with your proof of mortgage or funding.
  • We require all applicants to complete the Anti-Money Laundering form sent to you with your Offer Notice. Anyone gifting funds for the purchase also need to complete this form.
  • If you no longer want to proceed, please return the Notice of Intention stating this.

Important information to consider

You’re advised to get independent legal advice, and read the information on the Right to Buy website.

You must also make sure you have the funds needed to buy and maintain the property. 

You should also consider any housing related benefits you may currently be in receipt of and understand the implications if you own your own home.

Repairs

While your Right to Buy application with GCH is active, we’ll only carry out emergency repairs to your home. This applies from the date we receive your application.

This is because the value of your home is assessed based on its condition at the time your application is received.  

For this reason, we won’t carry out any other repairs to your home while your purchase is in progress.  

Examples of emergency repairs are:

  • Total loss of electricity
  • Loss of all heating and hot water (between 1 October  and 1 May)
  • Burst pipes
  • Blockage of the only toilet in the property / blocked drains causing sewage to spill out (rechargeable if caused by family/friends etc)
  • Broken windows affecting security (rechargeable unless crime number supplied)
  • Inability to secure main entrance to property (rechargeable unless crime number supplied)
  • Serious roof leaks

Gloucester City Homes will also remove you from any upcoming planned maintenance programmes, for example, new roofing, external doors and windows, rain water goods, kitchens, bathrooms etc and will stop any commenced planned maintenance works to the property.

If you are applying to purchase a Leasehold property we will continue to maintain and repair communal areas only.

Useful contacts

The government’s Right to Buy Agent service offers free and impartial advice on Right to Buy and, if you decide home ownership is the right choice for you, they can help you through the process of buying your home, including providing information on finding a mortgage, appointing a solicitor and arranging a survey.

Right to Buy advisers are available from Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm. You can phone or chat online with them on the number below:

For more information email the Leaseholders team