Right to Buy reforms open to consultations

The government has published reforms intended to protect and reverse the decline in council housing.

The changes has been published for consultation and aim to deliver a fairer and more sustainable scheme by continuing to allow longstanding tenants to buy their own homes while at the same time supporting councils to protect and rebuild their depleted housing stock.

Measures include extending the length of time someone has to be a tenant before they can buy their home and protecting newly built social homes from sale through exemptions.

The consultation will also be asking for views on targets for councils to replace stock sold with homes for social rent of the same size and in the same area.

Deputy prime minister and secretary of state for housing, Angela Rayner said:  “For millions of people in the position I was once in, that first step into the secure social housing that changed my life has become a distant dream.

“Too many social homes have been sold off before they can be replaced, which has directly contributed to the worst housing crisis in living memory.

“We cannot fix the crisis without addressing this issue – it’s like trying to fill a bath when the plug’s not in.

“A fairer Right to Buy will help councils protect and increase their housing stock, while also keeping the pathway to home ownership there for those who otherwise might not have the opportunity to get on the housing ladder.”

The government says it remains committed to Right to Buy as an integral way for social tenants to get on the property ladder. However, it is hoped that  the reforms will make the scheme more sustainable and better value for taxpayers.

The current demand for social housing is at an all time high, with 1.2 million people on waiting lists and record numbers living in temporary accommodation.

Cllr Adam Hug, housing spokesperson for the Local Government Association said: “The LGA has long-called for reform to Right to Buy as the system in its current format does not work for local authorities and those most in need of social housing.

“Steps taken by government already this year to amend the scheme are positive, and the measures set out today in this consultation will help further in supporting the replacement of sold homes and to stem the continued loss of existing stock.

“Councils are keen to deepen our collaboration with the Government to increase affordable housing and help people on council housing waiting lists and record numbers stuck in temporary accommodation.”

Tracy Harrison, chief executive at Northern Housing Consortium said: “With more than 420,000 households on social housing waiting lists in the North, more social homes are desperately needed, and we must protect those that we already have. We’ve been consistently calling for reform to Right to Buy , so these changes are very welcome. They will help stem the loss of social homes and support local authorities to replace those that are sold.

“We particularly welcome the proposals to exempt newly build homes from the Right to Buy as this will help councils build with confidence. The confirmation that Right-to-Buy will not be extended to housing associations is also long overdue.”