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Sign in or register for an accountThe Community Right to Bid gives local community and voluntary groups the chance to protect buildings or land that are important to them.
These sites can be nominated for inclusion on the council's List of Assets of Community Value (ACVs).
To be listed, an asset must:
currently support the social wellbeing or social interests of the community, for example cultural, recreational or sporting use; and
have a realistic chance of continuing to do so in the future.
Community Right to Bid is separate from Community Asset Transfer, which relates specifically to Salford City Council-owned land and property. Further information about Community Asset Transfer is provided below.
Most residential properties are excluded. This includes:
private homes
hotels and bed and breakfasts
caravan sites
land or buildings used by statutory undertakers
However, housing that is part of a wider community facility can still be considered, for example, a caretaker's flat attached to a village hall.
The scheme gives communities more power to protect places that matter to them.
If the council receives a valid nomination, we will assess whether the building or land meets the legal definition of an Asset of Community Value. A decision will be made within eight weeks.
If approved:
the asset is added to the public list of ACVs
a local land charge is registered against the property
the listing lasts for five years and can be renewed
If the owner of a listed asset wants to sell it, a moratorium period begins. This gives community groups time to consider whether they want to bid.
This starts when the owner notifies the council of the intention to sell.
Community interest groups can use this period to express an interest in bidding.
If a community group submits a written request during the first six weeks, the full moratorium is triggered.
The owner can continue marketing the property but cannot exchange contracts, except with a community interest group.
After the moratorium ends, the owner is free to sell the asset for the remainder of this period without triggering another moratorium.
To nominate or bid for an asset, a community group must:
have a local connection to the area; and
be legally constituted as one of the following:
a registered charity
a company limited by guarantee
an industrial and provident society
a community interest company
Parish and town councils are automatically eligible to nominate and bid.
In line with the Localism Act 2011 and the Assets of Community Value (England) Regulations 2012, the council will publish:
a list of assets that have been successfully listed as Assets of Community Value
a list of assets that have been nominated but not listed, including reasons for the decision
Both lists are available to download from this page.
The process is set out in:
Community Asset Transfer (CAT) is different from the Community Right to Bid.
Community Right to Bid allows eligible community groups to nominate land or buildings that are important to their local community as an Asset of Community Value. If a listed asset is subsequently put up for sale, eligible community groups are given time to consider whether they wish to bid for it.
Community Asset Transfer, on the other hand, relates specifically to Salford City Council-owned land and property. Salford City Council's Community Asset Transfer Policy provides a framework for voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations seeking to use council-owned assets to deliver community benefit and social value.
Community Right to Bid | Community Asset Transfer |
|---|---|
Can apply to qualifying community assets regardless of whether they are council-owned | Relates to Salford City Council-owned assets |
Allows an eligible asset to be nominated as an Asset of Community Value | Provides a route for eligible organisations to seek the use of a council asset |
Gives community groups time to prepare a bid if a listed asset is put up for sale | Considers the use of council assets to deliver community benefit and social value |
Does not give the community an automatic right to buy the property | Any transfer remains subject to the Council's CAT assessment and approval process |
You can find further information about the council's approach, eligibility requirements and assessment process in the Community Asset Transfer Policy.
Download the Community Asset Transfer Policy (Adobe PDF format, 1mb)
The policy was approved alongside the council's Asset Management Strategy in June 2026.
Support for groups interested in taking on an asset is available from Locality
If you are a community group and interested in making a nomination, please complete the below form:
Community Right to Bid nomination form
If you are unable to view documents of these types, our downloads page provides links to viewing software.
This page was last updated on 9 November 2026