Voluntary Right to Buy

The Autumn 2017 Budget confirmed the Government’s intention to proceed with a large-scale regional pilot of the Voluntary Right to Buy (VRTB) scheme in the Midlands.

A pilot in the Midlands, where there is a range of different housing markets, will provide vital information to Stonewater, fellow Housing Associations and the Government before the scheme may be launched nationwide.

Stonewater are keen to play a part in exploring how elements of the VRTB scheme will operate, whilst also giving some of our tenants an amazing opportunity to buy their home at a potentially substantial discount.

Stonewater can confirm that tenanted properties located in the following Local Authorities may be eligible to take part in the scheme, if you are unsure of which local authority your property falls under then you can check this easily by referring to your council tax bill:

In order for our tenants to be as informed as possible before taking the first step to becoming a home owner we have created a number of guides to help you. These will run through things such as how you can check if you are eligible for the scheme, the cost of becoming a home owner, which homes Stonewater will not be able to sell and what will happen if you are offered the option to port your discount.

Once you have read all of the above guides the next step is for you to obtain a Unique Reference Number (URN) from the Government. Tenants must apply on the Government’s VRTB website at https://midlands.righttobuy.gov.uk to obtain a URN.

The gateway on the website is currently closed and with only limited numbers available not every applicant will be able to receive one.

An algorithm has been used by the Government to randomly allocate places on the pilot. Emails have been sent out to each entrant to inform them whether they have been successful or unsuccessful in the ballot.

Tenants must apply to Stonewater within four weeks of their receipt of the URN with a completed application form signed by all parties and including all supporting evidence.

Please note that, even if you do receive a URN, there is no guarantee you will be able to buy your home. This also depends on the eligibility of your home and its affordability to you.

All applications to Stonewater will need to be made online via https://stonewaterhomes.co.uk/voluntary-right-to-buy.

Note: We are unable to provide previous tenants with duplicate copies of their tenancy agreement to support Right to Buy, Right to Acquire or Voluntary Right to Buy applications. We are however, able to provide a reference letter which would confirm the dates of tenancy for your Stonewater home as well as the tenants who were listed there. We will charge an administration fee of £30 inc VAT for this service. To request a reference letter please call 01202 319119.

Next steps:

If you have been successful in obtaining a URN then the deadline for submitting your completed application to Stonewater has now passed. Stonewater are not able to offer any extension to this unless it is exceptional circumstances.

If you have any queries please refer to our Voluntary Right to Buy Frequently Asked Questions document.

Alternatively contact the Voluntary Right to Buy team by:

• Phone:02380 658858 option 2
• Email: vrtb@stonewaterhomes.co.uk

Note: There are no plans to reopen the ballot, but the Government have advised that they will keep this under review, depending on the levels of demand and drop-out.