Housing Bill Curb on Right to Buy
14.01.10
As the Housing (Scotland) Bill was published on 14 January, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) welcomed the end of Right to Buy for all new homes and tenancies as “a major step forward for housing policy.”
Andrew Field, Deputy Chief Executive of the SFHA said: “The SFHA welcomes the Government’s plans, to end all Right to Buy for new build properties and also new tenants, which we argued strongly for. Right to Buy is an out-dated policy which has drained the affordable housing sector of vital stock, and now, more than ever, is the time to stop the flow.
“This will help protect and retain vital affordable housing stock at a time when housing is in crisis, with waiting lists spiralling out of control. It will also help retain badly-needed stock ahead of the introduction of ambitious homelessness targets in 2012.”
Mr Fiels contined: “We are delighted that the Scottish Government has listened to the SFHA and dropped proposals to allow profit-making bodies to register as social landlords, allowing Scotland’s housing associations and co-operatives, to continue reinvesting in their communities.
“Additional measures to extend Pressured Area Status are welcome and we look forward to engaging with government on the powers and purpose of a new independent Scottish Housing Regulator.”
Right to Buy: The Facts
· There are two forms of Right to Buy currently existing in Scotland: the original form, introduced by the Thatcher government in 1980 (which offers extremely attractive discounts), and the Modernised Right to Buy introduced in Scotland in 2001, which offers less attractive discounts.
· The statutory right for a sitting tenant to purchase their home was introduced by the Conservative Westminster Government in 1980.
· In Scotland, this has seen half a million properties sold and removed from the rented stock.
· Around 70,000 properties owned by housing associations will come into Right To Buy eligibility in September 2012. The vast majority of these properties do not lie in areas currently subject to Pressured Area Status, so it is difficult to see much prospect of these properties being protected from RTB without Ministerial intervention.
· It is estimated that up to 200,000 tenants in Scotland currently qualify for either the original or Modernised right to Buy.
· Several areas of Scotland, including Perth & Kinross, have recently successfully applied for Pressured Area Status whereby the Right to Buy is suspended.
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