Housing bill briefing clauses 56 - 61, Right to Buy

  • By London Councils

London Councils represents London’s 32 boroughs and the City of London. We make the case to government, the Mayor and others to get the best deal for Londoners and to ensure that our member authorities have the resources, freedoms and powers to do the best possible job for their residents and local businesses. We are not commenting on specific amendments to this chapter of the Bill, but do want to make a number of comments and observations on the impact of the government’s provisions. We would want to ensure that:

  • The Government explores demand management measures to ensure the cost of the discounts don’t place too great a burden on the public purse.
  • London boroughs can be confident that necessary safeguards will be put in place to prevent the Right to Buy from hindering estate regeneration potential.
  • Housing association homes are replaced swiftly, and are not displaced to parts of the country with lower housing needs or lower affordability challenges.
  • Given the extent of the housing crisis in London, the Government should direct housing associations to use receipts from Right to Buy sales within London to re-provide affordable properties to meet London’s housing needs.
London Councils