More than 5,200 housing association tenants register for extended Right to Buy

More than 5,200 housing association tenants have come forward in the first month to register their interest in acquiring their property through the extended Right to Buy, the Department for Communities and Local Government has said.

The strong level of interest comes a month after the National Housing Federation agreed a deal with the Government on extending the scheme. It is estimated that 1.3 million families will have the chance to become homeowners as a result.

The Government has launched a new radio advertising campaign to promote the Right to Buy, fronted by TV property expert Phil Spencer.

Communities Secretary Greg Clark said: “Social housing tenants share the same hopes and dreams as everyone else. They live in the same towns, their children go to the same schools, they have the same ambitions for themselves and their families.

“They should be given the same opportunity, if they aspire to own their home. That is why we are extending Right to Buy to housing association tenants so they can have security of home ownership for themselves and their families.”

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis said: “We want as many people as possible to enjoy the security and stability of owning their own home. This One Nation Government will do everything it can to help people buy a place of their own.

“There has already been huge interest in our Right to Buy extension, which forms part of our commitment to hard working people and transform Generation Rent into Generation Buy.”