Richardson Law

Housing solicitors in Leeds - Richardson & Co. Solicitors LLP

Richardson & Co LLP are a specialist law firm with considerable experience in social housing conveyancing.

The Right to Acquire (RTA) gives eligible housing association tenants a statutory right to purchase the property in which they live at a discount, generally between £9,000 - £16,000 depending on the local authority area in which the property is located.

RTA only applies to properties built or acquired by housing associations, both charitable and non charitable, with public funds from 1 April 1997 onwards. (Properties transferred from a local authority to a housing association after 1 April 1997 are also eligible).

Some properties are exempt from RTA including those in small rural settlements and sheltered housing. Existing housing association tenants should get advice from their landlord to determine whether their house qualifies for RTA.
To be eligible for the Right to Acquire scheme, a tenant must occupy a qualifying property, have spent a minimum period as a public sector tenant, and live in a self-contained flat or house which is their only home. The minimum period for those who were tenants before 18 January 2005 is two years. This was extended to five years for new tenants from 18 January 2005 by the Housing Act 2004.

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) provides grant to cover the discount offered to the purchaser.