LGA calls for reform of Right to Buy regulations

The Local Government Association (LGA) has called on the government to change the Right to Buy rules, after data has shown local authorities will struggle to build new homes to replace those sold off.

The LGA cited that 12,246 council homes were sold off to tenants under Right to Buy in England last year, however just 2,055 replacements started by councils. It warned that councils would struggle to replace the 66,000 properties expected to be sold off by 2020 without an overhaul of discounts and sale receipts.

Councillor Nick Forbes, LGA senior vice chair, said: “If we are to stand a real chance of solving our housing crisis, councils need the funding and powers to replace any homes sold under RTB quickly and reinvest in building more of the genuine affordable homes our communities desperately need.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Department for Communities and Local Government spokesperson, said: “There is a rolling three-year deadline for local authorities to deliver an additional affordable home and so far they have delivered well within their sales profile.

“However, we have always been clear that if local authorities don’t start building replacement homes within the three-year deadline, then we will step in and build them for them.”