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Buy Back Scheme

West Dunbartonshire Council has a scheme to Buy Back former Council properties previously bought through the Right to Buy. 

Buy Back Scheme Summary

West Dunbartonshire Council have set out ambitious plans to improve and expand our housing stock. In addition to our new build programme, our Buy Back scheme allows us to purchase properties in areas where there is demand for that type and size of property.

Purpose of the Buy Back Scheme

The demand for affordable housing is increasing, and it is vital we look at different ways of increasing the supply of homes to help meet this need.

West Dunbartonshire Council’s Buy Back Scheme will assist in increasing the amount of affordable housing, by purchasing properties using an assessment criteria within a set budget.

The main aim of the scheme is:

  • To acquire housing which can increase the stock of WDC social housing
  • Help maintain or create viable sustainable communities
  • Assist the council with SHQS /capital Improvements
  • Potentially assist with Empty homes

How the scheme works

The scheme will consider properties which satisfy the following:

  • Capital funds must be available for the Council to purchase the property
  • The combined cost of buying the property and bringing it up to the Scottish Housing Quality Standard and West Dunbartonshire Council Letting Standards represents value for money to the council
  • The property being sold is usually a former Council property that was sold through the Right to Buy
  • The purchase must be beneficial to the Council in terms of their being other council houses in the area and there must be tenant demand for the style, type and location of the house
  • The seller must have made their own arrangements for re-housing 
  • We cannot purchase properties where a tenant would have to leave the property to enable a sale

Property Assessment

In order for the Council to purchase the properties which represent best value, a scoring system will be used which will take into account:

  • Housing Need
  • Housing Demand
  • Capital investment requirements
  • Value for money

Incentives

The incentives when applying to West Dunbartonshire Council’s Buy Back scheme are:

  • No estate agent fees
  • No buying chain
  • No viewers – only one visit to survey property
  • No obligation to accept if we make you an offer

How to apply

You can apply by completing the Buy Back Scheme Application Form.

The information you provide us with will be used to start our assessment of your application. We will then contact you to let you know if your property meets the criteria, and if required we will arrange a viewing of your property.

Alternatively please contact Housing Development who administer the Buy Back scheme. We can take details of your property over the phone and we can establish quickly if your home would be suitable for the scheme.

Contact Details

Laura Hanna

Housing Development & Homelessness
Council Offices
16 Church Street
Dumbarton
G82 1QL