Can You Buy Your Council House Without a Deposit? Barclays Right to Buy Explained
Apr 11, 2025
Buying your council or housing association home can feel like a dream that’s just out of reach – especially when saving up a deposit feels impossible. But Barclays has shaken things up with a new zero deposit mortgage offer under the Right to Buy scheme.
So, what does this actually mean for tenants? And is it really as simple as it sounds? Let’s break it down.
The Right to Buy scheme gives council and some housing association tenants the legal right to buy their home at a discounted price. You may qualify if:
If you’re a housing association tenant, you might qualify under a slightly different scheme called Right to Acquire. The discounts are lower and fewer homes are eligible, but it’s still a foot on the ladder.
It’s also worth noting that not every tenant falls under the Right to Buy scheme. Housing association tenants may instead be eligible for Right to Acquire, which works differently and often comes with a smaller discount. If you’re unsure which scheme applies to your property, we explain the difference here.
Barclays has made home ownership more accessible by offering zero deposit mortgages to tenants using the Right to Buy scheme. Here’s how it works:
Barclays is essentially treating your discount as equity. If you get a 40% discount, that’s seen as a 40% deposit, meaning you can borrow at 60% Loan-to-Value (LTV) rates.
Before assuming a mortgage can be taken with no savings at all, it’s important to understand how the Right to Buy discount is treated by lenders in practice. In many cases, the discount can replace a traditional cash deposit, but this depends on the lender and the property. We explain how this works in more detail in our Right to Buy deposit guide.
“A good mortgage broker doesn’t just find you a deal — they save you hours of paperwork, weeks of waiting, and thousands over the term.”
Technically, yes – you can borrow 100% of the discounted price, not the full market value. That means:
This is a huge win for tenants who can afford mortgage repayments but struggle with saving.
While the deal sounds great, it’s worth keeping these in mind:
At Mortgage Broker Near Me, we specialise in Right to Buy mortgages – including Barclays’ zero deposit option.
We’ll:
So you don’t just buy your home – you buy it right.
No, not in England. Scotland and Wales have already scrapped it, but it remains available in England and Northern Ireland.
Barclays is a standout with zero deposit, but other lenders include Halifax, NatWest, Leeds Building Society and more.
Not if you use Barclays – your discount acts as your deposit.
Not automatically. Only those listed on the tenancy and meeting succession rules may qualify.
As of November 2024, between £16,000 and £38,000 depending on your location.
Yes, but only on the discounted price, not full market value.
“Comparison sites show you options. Mortgage brokers show you what’s right for you — based on your goals, not just the rates.”
If you qualify for Right to Buy and want to own your home without the hurdle of a huge deposit, Barclays’ mortgage could be your golden ticket.
But mortgages aren’t one-size-fits-all – and that’s why we’re here to help.
👉 Ready to explore your Right to Buy options?
Get in touch with Mortgage Broker Near Me today. We’ll help you turn your tenancy into true home ownership – without the stress.
The Right to Buy discount can sometimes be used instead of a cash deposit, but it isn’t automatic. Lenders treat the discount as equity, not savings, and will still assess affordability, credit history, property type, and risk. Most Right to Buy declines happen because the case is placed with the wrong lender or key details are misunderstood, not because the scheme itself doesn’t work.
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Your Home (or property) may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other debts secured on it.
Mortgage Brokers Near Me LTD is an Appointed Representative of The Right Mortgage LTD which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
The guidance and/or information contained within this website is subject to the UK regulatory regime and is therefore targeted at consumers based in the UK. The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate Will Writing and some forms of Trusts and Buy to Lets. A fee may be charged for mortgage advice. The exact amount will depend on your circumstances.
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