As local authorities and housing associations continue to process applications under the Right to Buy (RTB) and Right to Acquire (RTA) schemes, accurate, professional property valuations remain a crucial part of the process.
At Lea Hough Chartered Surveyors, we work closely with local authorities to provide RICS-compliant Valuation Reports that support the smooth and efficient handling of these transactions.
Below, we outline the key differences between the RTB and RTA schemes, and explain how our team assists in delivering valuations for both.
Understanding Right to Buy (RTB)
The Right to Buy scheme allows eligible long-term council tenants to purchase their home at a discount. The level of discount is based on the type of property and the length of the tenancy, with discounts reaching up to 70% for houses and 60% for flats, subject to a national maximum cap.
As this scheme remains widely used across many parts of England, particularly in urban and suburban areas, councils are regularly required to provide tenants with up-to-date market valuations as part of the application process.
Understanding Right to Acquire (RTA)
The Right to Acquire scheme applies to housing association tenants and offers a smaller, fixed discount, usually between £9,000 and £16,000, depending on location. This scheme has stricter eligibility criteria and applies only to properties funded through specific public sector funding routes.
While the volume of RTA applications tends to be lower than RTB, housing associations are still responsible for arranging a market valuation to determine the sale price prior to applying the relevant discount.
Our Role as Chartered Surveyors
Lea Hough Chartered Surveyors has extensive experience providing valuation reports for both Right to Buy and Right to Acquire sales. We assist councils and housing associations by providing RICS-compliant valuation reports. We provide Impartial, professional advice in line with legal and regulatory requirements and fast turnaround times to support statutory deadlines.
If required, we provide re-valuation reports where needed following appeals or time-lapse
Working in Partnership with Public Sector Housing Providers
Our team has worked alongside several councils and housing associations to support their RTB and RTA programmes. We act as a reliable, independent valuation partner, helping housing officers and asset managers process applications efficiently and confidently.
Whether you manage a high volume of council housing stock or oversee a smaller portfolio of housing association properties, we can tailor our service to meet your needs.
Get in Touch
If your organisation requires valuation support for Right to Buy or Right to Acquire property sales, contact Lea Hough Chartered Surveyors today. Our experienced team is here to assist with prompt, professional valuations across the North West.
