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Social housing stock “depleted by Right-to-Buy” (2 December 2014)
Date: 02/12/2014
The Local Government Association has said that social housing stock is becoming depleted because local councils do not have the funding to replace homes sold under Right-to-Buy.
< a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/social-housing-in-crisis-as-righttobuy-depletes-stock-9896713.html">The Independent reports that analysis of data shows that since 2012, a total of 20,000 council homes have been sold off under Right-to-Buy, with buyers offered discounts of up to 70% of the purchase price.
In recent years, Right-to-Buy discounts have been increased to £100,000 – encouraging many social housing tenants to purchase their homes. However, over the same period councils have begun work on fewer than 5,000 new council homes to replace those sold off – despite the then Conservative Housing Minister Grant Shapps claiming that council homes sold off would be replaced on a one-for-one basis.
It is estimated that up to 1.7 million people are now waiting for social housing in England – however, for every four council homes being sold under Right-to-Buy, only one is being built.
A spokesman for the Local Government Association said:
“The arrangements are poor value for the public purse and do not support councils to replace homes sold under the scheme like-for-like.
“We are pressing the government to allow local authorities flexibility to set the discount rate locally and receive the receipts from sales directly, rather than through a restrictive agreement which limits councils’ ability to invest in replacement housing.”
Duncan Lewis Housing Lawyers
Duncan Lewis housing lawyers can advise social housing tenants on a wide range of housing matters, including Right-to-Buy and housing possession.
Duncan Lewis is also a leading firm of Legal Aid solicitors and can advise on:
• Disrepair of rented property
• Housing Benefit
• Landlord & Tenant disputes
• Nuisance neighbours
• Unlawful eviction.
For expert legal advice on Local Authority housing and social housing, call Duncan Lewis housing lawyers on 020 7923 4020.