Who has the Right to Acquire? | Right to Acquire FAQ's

Secure or assured tenants living in a qualifying property that was built or purchased by Gateway on or after 1 April 1997 using social housing grant provided by the Government or Local Authority.

As well as occupying a qualifying property the tenant must also:

• Have spent a total of 5 years as a public sector tenant and
• Live in a house or flat which is self contained property and is your  only or main home.

Some properties are however excluded from the scheme.

• Properties built or purchased with public funds before 1 April 1997;
• Properties where the landlord has insufficient legal interest, i.e. where the property is a house, a lease with a term less than 21 years and for a flat, a lease with a term less than 50 years;
• Properties let in connection with employment;
• Properties designed with special features for letting to people with physical disabilities and
• Special needs and sheltered accommodation.

There are also some circumstances in which you will not be allowed to buy your home such as if you are:

• An un-discharged bankrupt, or have a bankruptcy petition pending against you;
• The subject of a possession order served by the court and
• Subject to a formal creditors agreement made under the Insolvency Acts.