OXFORD City Council is replacing fewer homes than are sold through the Government’s Right to Buy scheme, figures suggest.
Data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government reveals that 32 council homes were privatised through Right to Buy in Oxford last year – nine more than were sold in 2018.
Councils are expected to replace Right to Buy homes on a one-for-one basis, but can only use 30 per cent of the receipts from properties sold to cover the cost of replacements.
In 2019, Oxford City Council acquired or began construction on 16 replacement homes for those sold previously.
Different figures from MHCLG reveal that in 2019, 350 new homes in the area were started or completed by private companies.
Right to Buy was implemented in 1980 by Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government with the goal of helping longstanding council house tenants buy their rented homes at a discount.
Through the scheme long-term tenants can knock £84,200 of the total price.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel