- UK wide advice
- 0330 00 22344
- natalie@steelcitymortgages.co.uk
(Helping Council Tenants Own Their Homes With Expert Mortgage Advice)
Request a Callback from a Right to Buy Mortgage Broker today and discover the best mortgage options for you.
*Initial consultations are always free. If fees apply for mortgage arrangements, they’ll be discussed transparently.
I’m Natalie Ellis, founder of Steel City Mortgages. With over 22 years of experience helping people across Sheffield and the UK, I understand that buying your first home can feel overwhelming, especially through the Right to Buy scheme.
That’s exactly why I started Steel City Mortgages: to make the process feel less intimidating.
My team and I specialise in turning tenants into homeowners by guiding you through every stage — from explaining your discount and handling the paperwork to finding the right lender who truly understands your situation.
With strong local connections and access to a wide range of lenders and support services, you’ll always have someone in your corner.
Right to Buy is a UK government scheme that allows eligible tenants to purchase their homes at a significant discount. The scheme can be a fantastic way to get on the property ladder with a smaller deposit and more favourable affordability requirements.
To be eligible for the Right to Buy scheme, you usually must:
If you share your tenancy with someone else, you may be able to apply jointly, even if they’re not on the tenancy, as long as they’ve lived with you for at least 12 months.
✅ Not sure if you’re eligible? Contact us — we’ll review your tenancy details and guide you.
You might not qualify if:
The size of your discount depends on:
Regardless of the percentage discount, there is a regional cash cap.
The maximum discount you can get is whichever is lower: 70% of the value of your property or the the maximum discount for your region.
Note: As of 21 November 2024, the government revised the regional caps for new applications. These caps now range from £16,000 to £38,000, depending on where you live. Discounts are always limited to whichever is lower: the percentage entitlement or the regional cap.
Future Changes: The government has proposed changes to the Right to Buy scheme, including increasing the qualifying period to 10 years and reducing the maximum discount. These are under consultation and not yet law, so the current rules remain in effect until further notice.
In many cases, your Right to Buy discount can be used in place of a traditional deposit. Some lenders accept this discount as your full deposit, while others may require additional savings, depending on your credit profile and income.
We work with lenders who are familiar with Right to Buy and offer:
Note: While your discount functions like a deposit, it’s important to understand that it’s not cash — it’s treated as equity in the property. Most lenders will base the loan amount on the full market value, minus the discount, which effectively reduces how much you need to borrow.
✅ Tip: Even if your deposit is fully covered by the discount, you should budget for other costs like solicitor’s fees, mortgage arrangement fees, and surveys — usually totaling a few thousand pounds.
Affordability is key — and we’ll help assess what’s realistic for your budget. Lenders typically look at:
Speak to a Right to Buy advisor today for a full assessment.
Don’t hesitate to call or leave us a message! We’ll get in touch ASAP.
Our step-by-step process makes applying simple and stress-free:
We’ll confirm if you qualify for the Right to Buy scheme based on your tenancy history and council details.
Submit the RTB1 application form to your landlord. They have 4 weeks to respond (or 8 if they need longer to check your history).
You’ll get a formal offer from the council including the valuation, discount, and final price. You have 12 weeks to accept.
We’ll match you with a Right to Buy mortgage lender and submit your application. You’ll need documents like:
Once your mortgage offer is issued, a solicitor will handle contracts, searches, and exchange.
Congratulations! You now officially own your home.
If you decide to sell within 5 years, you may need to repay some or all of the discount.
Additionally, for the first 10 years, you must offer the property to your former landlord or another social landlord before selling it on the open market.
We explain all of this in plain English so there are no surprises later.
If you’re not eligible or your landlord refuses the sale, there are still alternatives:
Our advisors will explore all options to help you move from renting to owning.
Steel City Mortgages is proud to help tenants in Sheffield and across the UK make the leap into homeownership. Whether you’re just starting or already received your Section 125 offer, we’re here to support you.
Get your Right to Buy mortgage advice today — it’s quick, friendly, and obligation-free.
Access a wide range of options
Our free mortgage advisor-matching service guarantees you will be matched with a mortgage advisor who will offer advice from a wide range of lenders. This means you can feel confident of being offered a robust selection of mortgage solutions available to meet your specific needs.
While we love helping first-time buyers, our expertise doesn’t stop there. When life changes, we’re still here for you:
Yes, you can apply for a standard residential mortgage to buy your council or housing association home through the . Lenders will assess your income, credit history, and affordability. The mortgage process is similar to buying any other property.
You must repay part of the discount if you sell within 5 years. You also take on full responsibility for maintenance and repairs, and not all properties or tenants qualify. It also reduces the availability of social housing for others.
Most lenders offer 4 to 4.5 times your annual income, subject to affordability and credit checks. The Right to Buy discount lowers the purchase price but doesn’t count as income. How much you can borrow depends entirely on your financial situation.
Yes, many lenders accept the Right to Buy discount as your deposit, meaning no cash deposit is required. This is often referred to as a 100% Right to Buy mortgage. However, not all lenders offer this, and criteria apply. Some lenders require a personal cash deposit or additional funds for fees and costs.
Yes, but only in specific cases like Right to Buy (using the discount as deposit) or family-backed mortgages. These mortgages still require full affordability checks and monthly repayments. They don’t mean you pay nothing—just that you may not need a cash deposit.
Most lenders have a minimum loan amount, usually between £25,000 and £50,000. Below this, mortgage options become limited. If you’re buying a low-cost property, you might need a larger deposit or a specialist lender.
With access to high street lenders, building societies, and specialist providers, we offer more than what’s available on comparison sites.
Whether you’re staying with your current lender or switching, we help you choose a deal that works for you — not the bank.
For any enquiries or to get started, please complete the form below.
Steel City Mortgages Ltd is an Appointed Representative of Stonebridge Mortgage Solutions Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
There may be a fee for our advice. The exact amount will depend on your circumstances but it is estimated to be £599 and will not exceed £999.
Registered Office: Steel City Mortgages Ltd, 134 Archer Road, Unit 8, Sheffield, S8 0JZ.
Registered Company Number: 10977724 Registered in England & Wales’
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For any enquiries or to get started, please complete the form below.
Steel City Mortgages Ltd is an appointed representative of Stonebridge Mortgage Solutions Ltd., Regency House Miles Gray Road Basildon Essex SS14 3FR, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Our Financial Services Register number is 454811. Stonebridge Mortgage Solutions Ltd.’s permitted business is advising on and arranging non‐ investment insurance and mortgages.
You can check this on the Financial Services Register by visiting the Financial Conduct Authority’s website https://register.fca.org.uk/ or by contacting the FCA on 0800 111 6768. The Financial Conduct Authority is the independent watchdog that regulates financial services.
If you have a Complaint We hope that you will never have cause to complain but if you do and you wish to register a complaint, please contact our network: In writing: Stonebridge Mortgage Solutions Ltd. Regency House Miles Gray Road Basildon Essex SS14 3FR By telephone: 0345 646 5535 By email: complaints@stonebridgegroup.co.uk.
If you cannot settle your complaint with us, you may be entitled to refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service. To contact us for any other reason, please call 0345 646 5505.