Want to buy your Harlow Council property? There’s still time to do so

For many council tenants, owning their home can feel out of reach. However, the Right to Buy scheme continues to give eligible tenants the chance to purchase their council property, often at a significant discount.

What is Right to Buy?

Right to Buy allows qualifying council tenants to purchase the property they rent from their local authority at a discount. The discount level depends on factors such as how long the tenant has lived in social housing and whether the property is a house or flat. For many people, it can be one of the most affordable routes into home ownership.

What are the planned reforms to Right to Buy?

The Government plans to reform the Right to Buy scheme, changing eligibility, discount levels and the long‑term future of council housing. Meanwhile, Right to Buy activity has surged: Government figures show a 90% year‑on‑year increase in sales in 2025-26, with 14,275 purchases completed.

Much of this spike was driven by tenants rushing to apply before the November 2024 discount reduction, which saw the maximum discount fall from £136,400 in London and £102,400 elsewhere to significantly lower caps. Applications rose to 63,378 in 2024-25, compared to just 18,755 the previous year.

However, don’t assume it’s too late for you to buy your own home. Many Harlow residents may still qualify for Right to Buy and could benefit from exploring their options.

Will I still qualify for Right to Buy?

Many tenants may assume that buying their council home is complicated or unaffordable. In reality, every situation is different, and it may be worth obtaining advice to understand whether Right to Buy could work for you.

Currently, you can apply if you have been a council tenant for three years and you can receive a discount of up to 70% of your home’s market value. Under the new proposals, however, tenants will need to have held a public sector tenancy for ten years. The discount structure will also change dramatically: instead of long‑term tenants receiving up to 70% off the market value, discounts will begin at 5% and rise by 1% per year of tenancy, capped at 15% or the cash limit.

The Government also intends to protect new council homes by exempting them from Right to Buy for 35 years, giving local authorities greater security over their housing stock.

What does this mean for Harlow Council tenants?

For Harlow tenants, the council has already updated its guidance to reflect both current rules and the direction of travel. At present, tenants can apply if the property is their only or main home, is self‑contained, and they are secure tenants with at least three years’ public sector tenancy.

Who can apply and what discount could I get?

Applications may include joint tenants, spouses or civil partners, and up to three family members who have lived at the property for the past twelve months. For applications received from 1 April 2025, the maximum discount is £34,000 or 70% of the property value, whichever is lower. Houses attract a 35% discount for three to five years’ tenancy, increasing by 1% per year thereafter, while flats start at 50%, rising by 2% per year.

Harlow tenants must complete the RTB1 Notice Claiming the Right to Buy, provide proof of identity and residency, and submit a full address history from age 18. The council’s Home Ownership Team can assist with the paperwork.

What if I want to sell?

Buyers should be aware that selling within five years requires repayment of some or all of the discount, and selling within ten years means offering the property back to the council or another social landlord first.

How Attwaters can help

If you are a Harlow Council tenant and have received a Right to Buy offer, or are considering making an application, our Property Team would be happy to discuss the process and explain the legal steps involved.

We can guide you through the implications of the reforms, help assess eligibility, and support you through the Right to Buy process from start to finish.

Contact Attwaters’ Property Team for advice on your Right to Buy purchase now. Call our friendly, knowledgeable team on 0330 221 8855 or email us at residentialproperty@attwaters.co.uk.