Monday 2 November 2015

Groundbreaking Housing Bill in the Commons today - right to buy, starter homes plan and much more

Plans to extend right-to-buy to housing association tenants, have been altered last month to make them voluntary rather than mandatory.

The government has agreed to compensate housing associations for the sales discount offered to the tenant and housing associations would retain the sales receipt to enable them to reinvest in the delivery of new homes.

As well right-to-buy, the bill:

  • Implements plans to provide a number of Starter Homes for first-time buyers under the age of 40 at a 20% discount
  • Introduces the requirement for local authorities in England to dispose of vacant high value council properties to fund right to buy extension and to build more affordable homes
  • Gives local authorities additional powers to tackle rogue landlords in the private rented sector
  • Makes provision for 'high income' social tenants to pay a market rent as opposed to a social rent 
  • Reforms the planning system, including a new duty for councils to keep a register of brownfield land