Right to buy your council home

Before you apply, check whether you are eligible for Right to Buy.

GOV.UK provides information about:

• who can apply
• Right to Buy discounts
• how to apply
• what happens after you apply

Check your Right to Buy eligibility and find out how the scheme works on GOV.UK.

As part of the Right to Buy process, all applicants must provide original documents to confirm their identity, right to live in the UK and address.

All applicants must attend an in-person appointment and bring the required documents.

If you have a joint tenancy and one tenant does not want to buy the property, they must still attend the first appointment and provide the required documents.

We may use the information you provide to help prevent and detect fraud and protect public funds.

We cannot process your application if your documents:

• are not original documents
• contain errors
• have expired
• are incomplete or have pages missing

All documents must contain current and accurate information. If a document is in another language, you must provide the original document and a certified English translation.

Section A - confirming your identity

• You must provide two identity documents. At least one must include your photograph.
• If you provide a birth certificate and your name has changed, you must also provide evidence of the name change. This could include a marriage certificate, deed poll or divorce document.
• If you only have one suitable identity document, contact the Right to Buy team for information about the identity countersigning process

Section B - proof of address

• If you are a tenant applicant, you must provide two proof of address documents issued in the three months before your Right to Buy appointment
• If you are a family member who is not named on the tenancy, you must provide two documents showing that you have lived at the address for the 12 months before your appointment

We cannot accept documents issued by Swindon Borough Council as independent proof of your address.

Your documents should show that the property is your main home. Documents from organisations such as utility providers, banks or insurance providers may be accepted.

We cannot accept documents issued by the NHS or other health organisations as proof of address.

You must provide every page of each document. For example, if a document says it is page 1 of 4, you must provide all four pages.

Proof of address documents include:

• passport issued by the UK or European Economic Area
• driving licence
• birth certificate
• UK CitizenCard issued through the police
• residence permit and relevant documents issued by the Home Office
• bank statements, including transaction pages. We do not accept account summaries, account charge letters or credit card statements.
• utility statements for water, gas, electricity or a landline telephone, including a usage breakdown. We do not accept mobile phone documents.
• property insurance for buildings or contents, including the policy certificate
• vehicle insurance, including the policy certificate
• wage slips or Universal Credit payment statements
• HM Revenue and Customs tax assessment or statement of account
• pension statements issued by the government, your employer or a Self-Invested Personal Pension provider

To apply, you need to complete the Right to Buy application form, known as the RTB1 form.

Get the Right to Buy application form (RTB1)

If you use a desktop or laptop, you can download and complete the form electronically before printing it. You can also print the form and complete it by hand.

You cannot complete the GOV.UK form using a mobile phone or tablet.

Complete all relevant sections and make sure the form is signed and dated before you send it to us.

As part of the Right to Buy process, we check and verify the information in your application.

We may check information through interviews, visits and other sources. These may include credit reference agencies, Council Tax, Housing Benefit, the Department for Work and Pensions and other housing authorities.

If you cannot access the form, email rtb@swindon.gov.uk to request a paper copy.

The easiest way to send us your completed, signed and dated RTB1 form is to upload it online.

Upload your Right to Buy application form

You can also send your completed form by email or post.

Email: rtb@swindon.gov.uk

Address:
Right to Buy team
Swindon Borough Council
Civic Offices
Euclid Street
Swindon
SN1 2JH

All applicants must attend an in-person appointment with the Right to Buy team and a fraud officer as part of the application process.

The Right to Buy team will contact you to arrange your appointment. You will need to bring your supporting documents with you.

Appointments are held on Wednesdays at:

Swindon Borough Council
Civic Offices
Euclid Street
Swindon
SN1 2JH

All applicants must attend the appointment.