Voluntary Right to Buy available to properties south of the county

LHP are taking part in a secondary pilot of the government’s Voluntary Right to Buy (VRTB) scheme this summer.

This means that tenanted properties located in the south of the county may be eligible to take part in the scheme.

The Voluntary Right to Buy is a scheme agreed between the government and the National Housing Federation to give housing association tenants the chance to buy their homes at the same discount level as council tenants have under the Right to Buy.

We, along with nearly 50 housing associations in the Midlands, are taking part in a major pilot to test some technical aspects of the scheme that will address issues that housing associations face but councils do not.

We have out together some useful questions and answers below to help guide you through the process but in the meantime here are some do’s and don’ts to help you make a successful application.

• The closing date for applications for the Voluntary Right to Buy scheme was Sunday 16 September 2018.
• Successful applicants will be notified by Monday 24 September 2018 and will receive their unique reference number (URN) between Monday 24 September and Monday 15 October 2018.
• If you were successful in the ballot and have obtained a unique reference number allowing you to apply for the scheme please complete the application form and return it to Lincolnshire Housing Partnership, Westgate Park, Charlton Street, Grimsby, DN31 1SQ within four weeks. You can find a link to the form at the bottom of this page.
• Don’t assume that you will definitely be able to take part in the pilot. Not all LHP homes are included – and please remember that this scheme is not open to our tenants in the north - and there is limited funding which will mean that not all applications will be successful. We do not have any influence in this selection process.
• Don’t send in your application unless you have received a unique reference number (URN) from the government website. We cannot accept an application without it.
• Do pay any arrears owed to LHP before you apply. If you have any arrears your application will be refused.
• Do be aware that some properties cannot be bought.
  In some cases you may be able to move to another property which is available to buy.
• Do expect to pay an administration fee of £250 to LHP. This will be deducted from the sale price if the sale completes or if your home does not qualify for any reason. You will lose the fee if you cancel the application or do not comply with the strict timescales which apply to the scheme.
• Do make sure that you make the application in the names of only the household members who will be included in the final sale. Once the application has been agreed and verified you will not be able to add or remove applicants without cancelling the application.
• Do make sure that if your application includes additional family members, they can prove that they have lived at the property for at least 12 months.
• Do make sure that you claim all of the discount that you are entitled to. We will only be able to verify any addresses that you have had with LHP but if you would like to include years spent with other housing associations or councils you will need to provide proof - either a tenancy agreement, letter from the landlord or Council Tax or copies of the electoral register for the relevant years.
• Do pay attention to timescales. The key ones are:

1. The URN is valid for four weeks – you must make your application to LHP before it runs out.
2. When your application is accepted you have 10 days to make an appointment to provide your documents (it may be worth getting these organised before you apply)
3. If you qualify you will receive an offer within 12 weeks
4. When you receive your offer you have four weeks to decide whether to accept and provide solicitor details
5. When the matter is referred to solicitors, completion should be within 12 weeks (please make your solicitor aware of this when you appoint them).