Housing Solicitors

An investigation by The Independent has revealed that Cornwall Council has paid out £8,000 in Housing Benefit on homes recently bought by tenants under Right-to-Buy and rented back to the council.

Cornwall is one of at least 32 local authorities which are being forced to rent back council properties sold under Right-to-Buy.

Last week, Islington Council in north London agreed to spend £6 million buying back 20 council homes sold under Right-to-Buy. The council says it has identified former council homes due to be marketed for sale in the near future, which offer value for money.

Cornwall Council says that so far it has sold 74 homes to council tenants under Right-to-Buy, which the government has reformed to offer council tenants discounts of up to £100,000 on their council homes.

Out of the 74 homes sold by Cornwall Council, five of them are eligible for Housing Benefit, which cost the council £8,613.57 between April 2012 and August 2014.

The figures were obtained as a result of a Freedom of Information request.

Head of policy at the National Housing Federation, Rachel Fisher, said that Right-to-Buy had “decimated” the supply of affordable homes to rent.

“Social housing should be reserved for those who need it most,” said Ms Fisher.

“ Right-to-Buy is perpetuating the belief that homes are an investment rather than somewhere to live,” she added.

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis housing solicitors can offer homebuyers competitively priced conveyancing services – and can also advise homeowners on debt management and mortgage repossession.

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of Legal Aid solicitors and can also advise social housing tenants and private sector rental tenants on:

• Disrepair of rented property
• Housing Benefit
• Housing possession
• Landlord & Tenant disputes
• Local Authority housing
• Unlawful eviction.

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