Right of First Refusal

If you're the owner of a leasehold or freehold property originally purchased from Southwark Council under the Right to Buy or Social Homebuy Scheme, you're required to offer the council the ‘right of first refusal’ to buy your property if you wish to dispose of the property within 10 years of the original purchase. This legislative requirement is included in the Housing Act 1985 and is also a condition in your lease/freehold transfer agreement.

You must first offer the council the right to buy your property before agreeing any sale on the open market. It's very important to follow this process. New owners will not be able to formally register their legal ownership at HM Land Registry without the council’s written consent that the restriction was complied with.

To apply for the Right of First Refusal, contact us for an application pack.

When we receive your application, we'll contact you within 10 working days. The council have 8 weeks from the date of your application to either accept or reject your offer. However, we aim to provide a decision as soon as possible and usually within 10 working days.

Fees

  • £129 administration fee to process the application (2023/24)

Page last updated: 05 April 2023

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