The Right to Purchase (Application Form) (Scotland) Order 2011

What happens next

2.  As a result of provisions in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, landlords are entitled to refuse a right to buy application if the applicant has arrears of rent, council tax or water and sewerage charges (whether it be for the current property or a previous address).

(a) If your landlord is the local authority, housing staff will take the necessary steps to check that you have no outstanding arrears at the time of application.

(b) If your landlord is a registered social landlord (such as a housing association), they will check their records to ensure that you owe no outstanding rent. However, you must obtain a certificate from your local authority confirming that you have no arrears of council tax or water and sewerage charges, which you should then present to your landlord when you submit this form. Please note that if you request such a certificate from your local authority, they must issue it to you – free of charge – within 21 days. Such a certificate will then be valid for one month. If you fail to provide the relevant certificate your landlord is entitled to refuse your application.