Can a private landlord do rent to buy?

Yes, a private landlord can offer a rent to buy or rent to own arrangement, but this is different from the official government-backed scheme. These agreements are private contracts and can vary significantly. Some may allow part of the rent to contribute towards a future deposit, while others give you an option to buy later at an agreed price. Because the terms are not standardised, it is very important to get legal advice before signing anything. We would also recommend speaking to a mortgage adviser early so you know whether the future purchase route is realistic. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. You may have to pay an early repayment charge to your existing lender if you remortgage.