Right-to-Buy has worsened housing crisis claims think tank
10 months ago | 3 comments
Government sets out reforms to Right to Buy
12:01 AM, 11th May 2026, 3 weeks ago
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The government has announced new reforms to Right to Buy as part of efforts to overhaul and support councils.
The flagship policy, introduced by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s, was designed to give council tenants in England and Wales the right to purchase their homes from local authorities.
However, the scheme has proven controversial, and following the completion of a Labour government consultation, ministers are now considering changes aimed at making Right to Buy “fairer and more sustainable.”
Minimum eligibility period would increase
Under the new reforms, the minimum eligibility period would increase from three to ten years before tenants can apply to buy their home.
Discount rules would also be amended, with discounts starting at 5% of the property value and increasing by 1% each year up to a maximum of 15% of the property value or the cash cap, whichever is lower.
A 35-year exemption would also apply to new builds, meaning newly built social homes could not be sold under Right to Buy for 35 years after completion.
Change is needed
Gavin Smart, chief executive officer, Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), said: “CIH welcomes the government’s continued focus on reforming Right to Buy and the clear recognition that change is needed to better protect and rebuild our social housing.
“The measures confirmed are a positive step towards addressing the long-standing imbalance between homes sold and those replaced.
“We also welcome the further work on fraud prevention and the scheme’s impact in rural areas, both of which are crucial to ensuring Right to Buy operates fairly and sustainably.”
Although the Labour government has not abolished Right-to-Buy, it sharply reduced the maximum discount in last October’s Budget, cutting it from £136,000 to £16,000 in most London boroughs, and from £102,000 to £38,000 outside the capital.
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Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1492 - Articles: 1
10:00 AM, 11th May 2026, About 3 weeks ago
Should actually remove the right to buy, period.
Member Since April 2018 - Comments: 422
10:39 AM, 11th May 2026, About 3 weeks ago
Totally agree as the original intention of a council house was to house tenants. At least Labour has reduced the obscene amount of discount.
Member Since June 2015 - Comments: 334
1:43 PM, 11th May 2026, About 3 weeks ago
I’m in favour of RTB in theory.
It’s a good way of Social Housing providers off loading maintenance nightmares.
It’s a good way of people being fully invested in their local community. Someone who has a financial stake or incentive and sees their home as being permanent is far more likely to fully engage with whatever their neighbourhood has to offer.
However, the discounts have often been bizarre. When I did my RTB in the 1980’s the discount came to less than the cost of renovating the property. However, it was an amount I could finance whereas a full price house in better condition would have been impossible.
These days Social Housing has often been lavished with numerous upgrades such as double glazing, new kitchens, solar panels, new roofs, wiring, plumbing, etc. Why should the discounts be so generous?
The really bizarre thing is the people who have been enjoying half price rent for longest get the biggest discounts. How does that make sense?
Member Since September 2022 - Comments: 9
6:35 PM, 11th May 2026, About 3 weeks ago
RTB was implemented by Thatcher to reduce the burden on local authoity maintenance on the interior (flats) and if the tenant was able to get a Mortgage then in theory be employed and not claim welfare benefits..
But the point being those who could afford RTB should not be in the social housing sector of low rent. It is a privilege to be a council tenant due to low income.. unfortunately an uncrease of home income should have a threshold which forfeits eligibility for low rent and increase to local housing rent.. or indeed move out to allow a low income tenant whos in need, which social housing ( in my eyes) is about.
I was a council tenant which I’m truly thankful for and now I am a landlord who only takes tenants from local housing authorities housing list..
Member Since May 2026 - Comments: 1
8:57 AM, 15th May 2026, About 2 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Kris with a T at 11/05/2026 – 18:35
I don’t agree. I would never have become a home owner without the right to buy such was how little I was able to earn.
I am a responsible home owner who has never missed a payment on rent or my mortgage, not even a credit card payment.
There is nothing wrong with right to buy in principle, perhaps the discounts should not have been so high but the biggest problem was always how easy it was for irresponsible people to use it. For example the discount can be used as a deposit. It’s complete and utter madness to give it to someone with average or even adverse credit scores, who are unable to save up a even a couple of thousand pound.
Call it Dickensian but there is the deserving and underserving poor.
Member Since April 2018 - Comments: 422
12:38 PM, 15th May 2026, About 2 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Peter M at 15/05/2026 – 08:57
I thought council houses were built , using taxpayer’s money, for the benefit of those who could not afford at the time to buy.If so many council houses had not been sold off , at a discount and loss to the taxpayer, then more would still be available to rent to those still unable to buy thus easing the current shortage of property to rent. Plenty of properties coming on to the market to buy at bargain basement prices but neither first time buyers or investors want them.