You may not need a deposit to buy your council house in Doncaster through the Right to Buy scheme.

In many cases, the discount offered is large enough to act as your deposit, meaning no upfront savings are required.

This makes the scheme a popular option for eligible tenants who want to own their home but haven’t managed to save a large deposit.

As mortgage advisors in Doncaster, we regularly help customers take this step with little to no money down.

How the Right to Buy Scheme Works

The Right to Buy in Doncaster gives eligible council tenants the opportunity to purchase their home at a reduced price.

The longer you’ve been a tenant, the bigger your discount is likely to be. This discount is key to reducing both the total loan amount and any deposit requirement.

In most cases, mortgage lenders will allow your Right to Buy discount to count as your deposit. This means you can often secure a mortgage without needing to put in any additional savings of your own.

When a Deposit May Still Be Required

While many lenders accept the Right to Buy discount as your deposit, some may still ask for a small contribution of your own. This can depend on your credit history, income, or the lender’s specific policy.

Even if a deposit is required, it’s often much smaller than what would be expected for a standard property purchase.

For example, if your home is valued at £150,000 and discounted to £100,000, some lenders may ask for 5% of that lower amount. In this case, your deposit would be just £5,000.

Our mortgage advisors in Doncaster can check which lenders are likely to accept your discount in full and whether any deposit contribution is needed based on your circumstances.

What Else Do Lenders Look At?

Deposit aside, mortgage lenders will still assess your affordability and credit profile. They’ll look at your income, outgoings, and financial history to decide how much they’re comfortable lending.

Having a clean credit file and reliable income will usually improve your chances of being accepted.

If you’ve had issues in the past or you’re unsure how your application might be viewed, we’ll guide you through it and help set expectations from the beginning.

Other Costs to Be Aware Of

Even if you don’t need to save for a deposit, there are still other costs involved in buying your council house. These can include:

  • Legal fees for conveyancing
  • Valuation fees (which some lenders cover)
  • Optional surveys to check the condition of the property

Our team will help you understand all the potential costs upfront, so you’re not caught off guard later in the process.

Getting a Right to Buy Mortgage in Doncaster

As a mortgage broker, we work with lenders who offer Right to Buy mortgages in Doncaster and understand how the scheme works.

We know which providers are open to using the full discount as your deposit and what they’ll need from you.

Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or ready to apply, we’ll support you through the entire journey.

From checking your eligibility to finding a competitive mortgage deal, our goal is to make the process feel as simple and stress-free as possible.

Date Last Edited: October 14, 2025