04 April 2003
Council tenants wishing to buy their homes under the right to buy scheme will need to have lived in the house for five years instead of two in future, the government announced this week.
The further tightening-up of the scheme is included in the draft housing Bill, published on March 31. It follows a cut in the maximum discount in 42 Southeast councils from £38,000 to £16,000.
At present, tenants qualify to buy after two years but must repay part or all of the discount if they sell the property within a further three years. If the Bill becomes law, tenants will not be able to buy their home for five years. Discounts will be repayable if the property is sold within a further five, although this may be waived by the local authority.
Unveiling the Bill, housing minister Jeff Rooker insisted the government was still committed to the scheme. 'It will be harder for companies and individuals that exploit the discount rules and benefit at the expense of those who need affordable housing,' he said.
Much of the Bill focuses on improving private rented housing, including a new licensing scheme to protect tenants in houses of multiple occupation. Local authorities will also be given powers to intervene where private tenants or their landlords create problems for communities.
PFapr2003
