Open Market Purchase Scheme

There is a huge demand for affordable housing in Moray.  Our open market purchase scheme, partly funded by the Scottish Government, will help us increase our housing stock and meet housing need across Moray.  It means we can buy properties that are for sale on the open market, or before they are put on the open market.

We are particularly interested in, but not limited to, the following properties:

  • ex-council houses that were bought through the old Right to Buy scheme;
  • where you are a private owner or a registered landlord in a high-demand area (as informed by our current housing list), or own the only private property in a block of flats, or a street, where all the other properties are owned by the council.  
  • where the property is in an area of demand for that type and size of property;
  • where the property meets a specialist housing need of households, which is not currently available in our council stock, for example, homes suitable for people with specific disabilities or individual needs;
  • where the purchase will bring an empty property back into occupation;
  • properties suitable for larger families (3 or more bedrooms).

Though there may be exceptions, in most cases, we are less likely to be interested in:

  • properties within an entirely private estate, or in an area where we own no homes nearby;
  • flatted properties where there are no other council owned properties within the block.

What is the eligibility criteria for the scheme?

We will only consider properties that meet the following criteria.  The property must:

  • be privately owned; and
  • have a current home report produced within the last three months, paid for by the seller; and
  • have all statutory consents for any structural works completed such as a Building Warrant; and
  • meet our value for money model.  This means the combined cost of buying the property and bringing it up to our required statutory and letting standards would represent value for money within the council's budget; and
  • not make you, or anyone staying with you, homeless.  We will not consider any property where a tenant has to leave the property to progress the sale.  The property must be sold with vacant possession and be empty at the time of completion.  The owner, residents and/or any tenants will be responsible for their own re-housing arrangements.

Properties with sitting tenants

This scheme is intended for purchases with vacant possession.  However, in exceptional circumstances we may consider a property with sitting private sector tenants but only to prevent the tenants from becoming homeless.  

You should not submit an application for a property with a sitting tenant. Applications submitted in these circumstances are likely to be rejected, instead the following applies:

  • your tenant must have presented as homeless to our Housing Options Team who will determine whether a referral to the scheme is appropriate.  If a referral is received, we will approach you to discuss this option; and
  • the size of the property must match the needs of the household as set out in our Allocations Policy.  For example, we will not purchase a 2+ bedroom property to prevent the homelessness of a single person household or couple, and we will not purchase a property which would result in overcrowding for the sitting tenant.

Selling a property with a sitting tenant, particularly where this would result in homelessness, involves a complex legal process which must be followed.  If you require advice, you may wish to seek guidance from your solicitor or letting agent (if applicable) or contact Citizens Advice who can provide free and independent advice.

What are the benefits of the scheme?

You will not need to:

  • pay estate agent fees;
  • worry about a selling chain;
  • arrange viewings or have multiple viewers - only one visit from a surveyor;
  • decorate the property for selling; and
  • feel obliged to accept any offer we make.

How to apply

Before you apply, please note that:

  • you must have a current home report.  Our online application process will ask you to upload a copy of the valid home report for your property at the time you submit your application.  If you do not have a current home report, you will not be able to submit an application.
  • our standard terms include a £5,000 retention from the purchase price.  The retention will be held for up to a maximum of 10 working days and released if there are no issues identified at the post-handover inspection.

You can apply by filling in our online Open Market Purchase Application Form.

If you would rather fill in a paper form and send it to us, you can print off our Open Market Purchase Application Form.  

We will use the information given by you to assess your application.  We aim to contact you within a week to let you know if your property meets the initial criteria and where appropriate the next steps.  

If you are unable to fill in our online form or print off a paper form, please email HousingStrategy@moray.gov.uk for advice. 

Rate this Page