Can I Sell My Council House After 10 Years?

If you bought your council house under the Right to Buy scheme, you might be wondering whether you could now sell it, particularly given that ten years have gone by. If enough time has passed, selling an ex-council property can be a simple process, but there are important issues about discounts, obligations to offer it back to the council, and market impression.

We’ll discuss your rights following ten years of ownership in this blog, including any still applicable restrictions, what to expect during the sales process, and whether you are entitled to sell back to the council.

What is the Right to Buy Scheme?

Introduced in the 1980s, the Right to Buy scheme let long-term council tenants purchase their homes at a sizeable discount. It has helped more than two million tenants in England to become homeowners over the years.

Typically, you must have been a public sector tenant for at least three years to qualify. The longer your tenancy, the bigger the discount you could receive – up to £96,000 in England (or £127,900 in London, as of 2025).

Can I sell my council house after 10 years?

Yes, if you have already owned the property for ten years or more, you are free of most Right to Buy restrictions and can sell your house. It’s crucial, though, to know what limitations might have been in effect during previous ownership and how they evolved with time. Let’s break it down.

Early resale rules: The first 5 years

Should you sell within the first five years of purchase from Right to Buy, you are subject to specific restrictions.

• Should you sell within five years, you have to pay back either all or half of the discount you received
• The length of time you owned the property will determine how much you repay. For example:
  • Sell in year 1 = 100% of discount repaid
  • Sell in year 3 = 60%
  • Sell in year 5 = 20%

For properties sold within ten years, you also have to offer it back to the original landlord – typically the council or housing association – before listing it on the open market.

After 10 years: What changes?

The rules get considerably more lax once you have owned your former council house for more than ten years. Here’s what you should know:

No repayment of discount

There is no obligation to repay any of your Right to Buy discount (even if you sell) after five years of ownership. By year ten, this has long expired.

No first refusal required

The ten-year mark is significant since it marks the end of your duty to return the land to the council. If selling within ten years, owners of ex-council homes have to give the local authorities the Right of First Refusal under section 156A of the Housing Act 1985. This condition vanishes after ten years.

Full control over sale

Once you cross the ten-year mark, you are entirely free to sell your house on the open market, to whomever you want, at a price you decide.

Can I sell my ex-council house back to the council?

While councils may have first refusal within 10 years, they are not obliged to buy it back. Ten years later, there is no set path for you to resell your house back to the council. However, you could approach them with an offer, especially if:

• The area where the property is located has a great demand for homes
• The council runs a buy-back programme
• The property fits social housing requirements, as it is a flat or maisonette

You’d need to contact your local authority directly. Although councils want to buy homes for affordable housing stock, be advised they might not offer full market value.

What to consider when selling an ex-council house

While you are legally free to sell after ten years without restrictions, there are some practical concerns worth thinking about.

1. Perception in the market

Although ex-council buildings are usually constructed solidly, purchasers may be turned off by:

• The property’s location on an estate
• Shared communal areas
• Leasehold terms (especially in flats)

Working with an estate agent who can properly market ex-local authority homes helps.

2. Leasehold or freehold?

While flats are sometimes leasehold, most ex-council homes are sold freehold. Should you be selling a leasehold flat, make sure you check:

• The length of the lease
• Ground rent and service charges
• Any restrictions placed on the lease

Selling flats with less than 80 years left on the lease could prove more difficult.

3. Maintenance and alterations

Should you have made structural alterations to your house – such as conversions or extensions – you might have to show:

• Planning permission and building regulations approval
• Permission from the landlord if still leasehold

Are there any tax implications?

Selling your council house after ten years will only cause Capital Gains Tax (CGT) if the house is not your main residence. You probably are exempt if you have lived there all the time.

Part of the profit, though, could be taxable if you have leased it out or used it as a second house. Before you sell, always talk to a tax adviser.

FAQs

Do I need permission to sell my ex-council house after 10 years?

No, not if you own it outright and the ten-year term has gone by. You are free to sell on the open market without first offering it to the council.

Will I still have to pay back the Right to Buy discount?

No. Discount repayment is only applicable should you sell within five years. Ten years later, this regulation is obsolete.

Can I sell my Right to Buy flat if it’s leasehold?

Yes, but you must comply with leasehold conditions. You will also need to provide the buyer with lease information, such as service charges, ground rent, and any planned improvements.

Can I sell my council house before 10 years?

Yes, but for the first ten years, you must return it to the council before selling it elsewhere. Within the first five years, you may be required to repay some of your discount.

Want to sell your council house fast?

If you’re ready to move on and need a quick, dependable sale, Sell House Fast can help. We buy any house for cash, and our service is specially designed to take the stress out of selling. We offer a guaranteed sale and a straightforward process that eliminates the common headaches that happen when you sell your home in the traditional way. Contact us today for a no-obligation cash offer and see how simple it is to sell your ex-council home.