Buying your home

If you’re thinking about buying the home you currently rent from us, here’s what you need to know and do.

Right to Buy or Right to Acquire?

Depending on your circumstances, you might have what is known as the Right to Buy or Right to Acquire your home, with the help of a discount to the price.

It’s likely that you have the legal Right to Buy if you meet this criteria:

  • Eastlands homes:Eastlands Homes (Clayton, Openshaw and Beswick) - If you transferred your tenancy from Manchester City Council on 8 September 2003
  • Eastlands homes: Eastlands Homes (Rusholme, Gorton, Levenshulme, Longsight) - If you transferred your tenancy from Manchester City Council on 31 March 2009
  • City South: If you transferred your tenancy from Manchester City Council on 2 June 2008

If you became a One Manchester tenant after the transfer from the City Council, you will likely have the legal Right to Acquire.

What's the discount?

The Right to Buy discount allows you to buy your home for up to 70% below its market value. The longer you’ve been one of our customers, the bigger the discount you will get, but the maximum discount you can get is £87,200.

What next?

If you’re interested in buying your home through right to buy, please get in touch by completing our contact us form or by calling us on 0330 355 1000.

The Front Door at Moston Campus

Avoid doorstep salespeople

If you’re thinking of buying, beware of Right to Buy salespeople who can try to get you to sign deals on the doorstep. 

We can give you free advice or you can read more detailed information about right to buy on the government website. We’d also recommend getting independent financial advice from a bank or building society.

Things to consider before you buy

What happens when you resell your home 

If you decide to sell your home within five years of buying it, or it's repossessed by your mortgage lender during that time, you will have to repay some or all of the discount you received. How much you have to pay back depends on how soon this happens: 

Paying back the discount 

  • If it happens within one year, you have to pay back 100% 
  • If it happens within two years, you have to pay back 80% 
  • If it happens within three years, you have to pay back 60%
  • If it happens within four years, you have to pay back 40%
  • If it happens within five years, you have to pay back 20% Should you sell your home within 10 years, you must offer us the 'right to first refusal'

The full cost

When looking at the difference between renting and buying, don't just check the weekly payments. Remember your rent includes things like buildings insurance and a repairs service. If you buy your home, you will have to pay for these things yourself.