The Government has reduced the Right to Buy discount to a flat £38,000 — far below what’s needed to make home ownership possible for long‑term council tenants. After decades of paying rent, tenants deserve a fair chance to buy their homes. Reinstate the percentage‑based discount system and protect long‑term tenants.

Reinstate Fair Right to Buy Discounts for Long‑Term Council Tenants

Background In November 2024, the Government replaced the percentage‑based Right to Buy discount — previously up to 70% — with a flat cap of £38,000. With today’s property prices, this change makes home ownership unattainable for many long‑term council tenants who have contributed decades of rent to the public housing system.

Why this matters

Many tenants have lived in their homes for 30, 40, even 50+ years.
They have paid hundreds of thousands of pounds in rent over a lifetime.
The previous discount recognised loyalty, stability, and long‑term contribution.
A flat £38k discount does not reflect modern house prices, especially in the South East.
The policy disproportionately affects older tenants and those on modest incomes.
Right to Buy was designed to give ordinary working people a realistic path to home ownership.
What we are asking for We call on the UK Government to:

Reinstate the percentage‑based discount system, allowing tenants to receive up to 70% off the market value of their home.
Introduce protections for long‑term tenants, ensuring those who have paid rent for decades are not disadvantaged by sudden policy changes.
Conduct a full affordability review of the November 2024 discount cap and its impact on tenants’ ability to buy their homes.
Why this is fair Council tenants are not asking for special treatment — only fairness. After decades of paying rent and contributing to their communities, long‑term tenants deserve a genuine opportunity to buy their homes if they choose to. I have been a council tenant for over 50 years. I’ve paid a lifetime of rent, contributed to my community, and cared for my home as if it were my own.

When the Right to Buy discount was up to 70%, people like me had a real chance of owning the home we’ve invested in for decades. But with the new £38,000 cap, that chance has been taken away.

How can ordinary people afford to buy their homes with today’s prices?

This policy change is unfair, unrealistic, and deeply damaging to long‑term tenants who have already paid so much into the system. I’m asking for fairness — not a favour.

Key Statistics 

Average UK house price (2024): £288,000
Average South East house price: £395,000+
Typical council house valuation: £250,000–£350,000
A £38k discount equals only 10–15% off many properties
Under the old system, long‑term tenants could receive up to 70% off
Many long‑term tenants have paid £300,000–£500,000+ in rent over their lifetime
These figures show how unrealistic the new cap is.