News from the Residential Property Investor, the bi-monthly magazine for RLA members other artilces from the August / September 04 issue RPI news archive

Conservative plan the 'right to own' - August / September 2004

Private sector tenants could gain a 'right to own' properties under a Conservative Government.

In advance of the launch of its housing policy in the autumn, the party has said it will extend the 'right to buy' transferable discount scheme.

Currently, council and some housing association tenants can buy the homes they live in at 60 per cent discount ­ up to a maximum of £38,000 discount. The idea is that this would apply to housing association and other tenants, so helping councils to maintain their own housing stocks.

'Under the Conservatives, shared ownership would become a practical possibility for those living in social housing', said shadow housing minister John Hayes. 'Under progressive new proposals that go beyond the right to buy ­ the right to own ­ Conservatives will promote the availability of transferable discounts that enable people to make the transition from social housing to the home of their choice, and by moving from social housing into market housing this would free up large numbers of houses for rent.

'This will all provide for a more fluid housing market where people can access different kinds of homes as their needs change, and will break down the barrier between social and market housing'.
 

other artilces from the August / September 2004 issue

• Licenced to charge
• Fitness certificate proposed by RLA
• 'Sensible approach' by landlords
• Built-in flood resilience to be required
• Crackdown on estate agents
• Landlords striking better deals
• Conservative plan the 'right to own'
• 'Natural segregation' affects house market
• Spreading the risk
• Watch out for the tender tax trap