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Right-to-Buy extension may cause London to lose 16,400 council homes (2 June 2015)

Date: 02/06/2015
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Right-to-Buy extension may cause London to lose 16,400 council homes

New research shows that more than 16,000 homes in inner London are likely to be lost under the government’s new Right-to-Buy scheme, which is being extended to housing association properties.

The figures have been released by Dame Tessa Jowell – who is hoping to be the Labour Party candidate for London Mayor when Boris Johnson’s term of office ends.

She said that the loss of social housing would leave London “purged” of everyone but the “very rich”.

Dame Tessa’s analysis of research by Liverpool Economics shows that 12 inner London boroughs and the City of London will be forced to sell off 16,400 council houses, to fund larger discounts for housing association tenants to buy their homes under the Conservatives’ extension of Right-to-Buy.

The Evening Standard newspaper reports that Dame Tessa is now calling for a summit of council leaders and housing experts to discuss the plans to extend Right-To-Buy to housing association tenants.

Right-to-Buy was introduced under Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government – and has been blamed for the loss of many one- and two-bedroom council properties, leaving a shortage of affordable housing and smaller council homes for existing tenants to move to when downgrading because of the spare room subsidy.

Some Right-to-Buy properties are snapped up and re-let in the private sector at market rents, helping to fuel a shortage of housing and huge rent increases in traditionally low-income areas.

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of housing solicitors and can advise social housing tenants on a wide range of housing matters, including:

• Anti-social behaviour
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Duncan Lewis is also a leading firm of Legal Aid housing solicitors.

For expert legal advice on housing law, call Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 020 7923 4020.

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