Can My Son Buy My Council House for Me?

If you want to purchase your council house at a discounted rate, then the Right To Buy Scheme is perfect for you should you meet the eligibility.

But what if you want your son or daughter to buy the council house for you? 

While that is possible, it won’t be as simple as buying the home yourself. In this case, there are certain legal aspects that you need to keep in mind.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the regulations and rules you need to follow while using the Right to Buy scheme and how your son/daughter can successfully purchase the property on your behalf.

Right To Buy Explained

The Right to Buy scheme is a government initiative which allows council tenants to buy their houses at lower than market rates. 

In this case, if the discount you’re getting is more than the required deposit, you won’t need to put down a deposit at all as most lenders do not require a personal deposit requirement.

Let’s illustrate with an example. 

Suppose you’re buying a property worth £150,000 and are getting a discount of £50,000 through the Right to Buy scheme. 

This means you can use this amount as a deposit. Remember that based on your credit history, some lenders might still ask you to put down a cash deposit.

The following questions will help you determine if you’re eligible to take advantage of this scheme:

• Is your council house your primary residence?
• Have you been a tenant for at least three years?
• Do you live in sheltered housing for the aged or disabled?

Also, it’s important to note that this scheme is no longer available in Wales and Scotland, but is still open to England and Northern Ireland tenants.

Can My Son Buy My Council House for Me?

Yes, your son or daughter can purchase your council house using Right to Buy, but they must fulfil certain conditions before doing so.

For instance, your son/daughter must have lived in the house for at least a year before he or she puts in the application.

Also, they should be named in the tenancy agreement; otherwise, they’ll not be eligible for the purchase.

Of course each individual circumstance will be different. 

Is It Possible For A Family Member To Help Me Buy The Council House?

Again, it is possible but subject to certain conditions, which are the same as mentioned in the above section. 

Apart from your adult offspring, a family member such as your spouse can also buy the house for you if they fulfil the conditions. 

Even if they do not meet all the eligibility conditions, they can still help you financially with the purchase. 

For example, they can help you with the deposit or mortgage repayments without being named as buyers. Please note in this instance a mortgage lender will not use their income for affordability when granting the mortgage. 

You can also add your son/daughter to the council tenancy, depending on the conditions demanded by the local council.

Council House Inheritance Rules

Your son or daughter can inherit your council house under a few conditions. Most of these deal with tenancy rights and depend on your council’s housing policy. 

Succession rights are usually given to the spouse of the original tenant, but a family member, such as a son/daughter, who has lived there for over a year might also get certain tenancy rights.

Also, most councils allow for only a single succession, which means if your tenancy itself was inherited from your father, for instance, then your son or daughter might not be eligible to inherit it again. 

Further, the type of tenancy can also affect succession rights.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is it necessary to hire a mortgage broker to help my son buy my council house?

While it’s not technically mandatory to hire a mortgage broker, they can help you navigate the process better. Experienced mortgage brokers can assist in understanding council rules, assessing eligibility, and even finding a lender if needed.

2. Are joint applications allowed under the Right to Buy Scheme?

Yes, you can submit joint applications under the Right to Buy scheme with someone sharing your tenancy, with your civil partner or spouse, or with a maximum of three family members living with you for at least a year before the application.

3. Is Right to Buy and Rent to Buy the same thing?

No, it’s not. Rent to Buy is a scheme that aims to facilitate the transition from renting to buying through rent subsidies. 

4. What factors does the discount I get on the council house depend on?

The discount you might get on purchasing your council house depends on the following factors:

• Tenancy length
• Type of property
• Market valuation of the property