Buying a flat
You can buy flats under the Right to Buy scheme. It is important to know that you will not actually own the property outright. This is a leasehold sale.
Buying a leasehold property means you buy a long lease (usually 125 years). This gives you and your successors in title the right to live in the property for the duration of the lease. The Council keeps the freehold as it still owns both the land on which your property is as well as the structure of the building.
As a leaseholder you remain a tenant. The Council will remain responsible for maintaining the exterior of the property. They will also maintain the wider block which your property forms part of.
You will need to contribute to the costs the Council incurs in respect of maintaining the block. This includes communal areas as well as the services provided to leaseholders. You will be unable to develop or improve anything other than the interior of your property without getting permission.
You will need to pay the service charges as well as the other costs of running your home, such as a mortgage. It is important to take this into account when working out whether owning your home will be affordable.
