Buying Your Home
If you are thinking of buying your home, you should get as much advice and information as you can, so you can be sure you make the right decision. We can provide you with guidance and advice.
Who has the right to buy?
This section is currently being updated in line with changes to rules on Right to Buy which take effect from 1 March 2011. Your Right to Buy Your Home: A Guide for Scottish Secure Tenants (PDF 383Kb) published in February 2011 tells you what the new rules are.
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How much will I have to pay?
The property will be valued at open market value. Any improvements you have carried out will not be included in the valuation. You may get a discount depending on the length of time you have been a tenant.
If you buy a flat the Council may still maintain the structure of the building and the communal areas, but you may have to pay towards the cost of this through service and repair charges.
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What will the initial costs be?
You will need to advise a solicitor to act on your behalf so there will be legal costs. You will also need to pay fees to the Land Registry for the Local Authority Search. These are included in the legal fees you pay to our solicitor. You will also have to pay for a survey to be carried out and there will be certain fees to be paid to your mortgage provider.
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What ongoing costs will I have?
You will have to pay for buildings insurance and for all repairs and maintenance.
If it is a flat, you may have to pay service charges to the Council for upkeep of the building and shared facilities. You will also have to pay a share of any common repairs required to the building.
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Can I sell my house later?
If you have bought your home you can sell it on. However, if you do so within 3 years you will have to pay back all or part of the discount you have received.
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If I have the right to buy, what else do I need to consider?
Even if you have a right to buy as part of your tenancy agreement, you won't be able to buy if:
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we have taken you to court to evict you because you have breached your Tenancy Agreement
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you or any joint purchaser has arrears of rent or other charges, Council Tax, or water and sewerage charges
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you have not spent enough time as a tenant of a council or other landlord that has the right to buy
You may not be able to buy your home if it has been designed for an elderly or disabled person or isnear special facilities.
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How long have you lived in your home?
This section is currently being updated in line with changes to rules on Right to Buy which take effect from 1 March 2011. Your Right to Buy Your Home: A Guide for Scottish Secure Tenants (PDF 383 Kb) published in February 2011 tells you what the new rules are.
Sometimes an area can become classified as a pressurised area. This means that there are too few homes for the amount of people needing homes in the area. If your tenancy started after 30th September 2002 and you live in an area that becomes a 'pressurised' area your Right to Buy could be suspended for up to five years.
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