First sales completed under housing association right to buy pilots

The first sales have taken place under the new right-to-buy scheme for tenants of housing associations under a deal stuck between them and the Government.

This was reached last October by the National Housing Federation - which represents housing associations and feared that the Government’s original proposals would have undermined their status as independent bodies and led to a loss of the stock on which their long-term business plans are based.

The pilot scheme allows tenants to buy but also provides that associations will be able to replace the homes sold, as they will get the full market value of sales which they can invest in new building.

Five associations agreed in January to become pilots, and have in all received some 800 applications.

Housing and planning minister, Gavin Barwell, said: “Anyone who works hard and aspires to own their home should have that opportunity to do so. Right-to-buy will help lots of people go from being a tenant to homeowner”.

The pilots associations and areas are:

  • L&Q (Croydon, Enfield, Greenwich, Haringey, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Southwark.)
  • Riverside (Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens, Wirral.
  • Saffron Housing (South Norfolk).
  • Sovereign (Cherwell, West Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse, South Oxfordshire.
  • Thames Valley Housing Association (Guildford, Hart, Runnymede, Rushmoor, Woking.

Mark Smulian