Right to Buy Letter under Fire for ‘Irresponsibility’

The government has been accused of irresponsibility in its attempts to promote the right to buy policy.  The CLG has sent template letters to councils suggesting how they should promote the right to buy to tenants. The letter from the CLG suggested councils flag up how much a right to buy mortgage could cost per week. It said: ‘Buy your home for £100 a week? So, if like your neighbours, you’re interested in the right to buy, don’t delay.’  Only on an accompanying fact sheet it did warn tenants about the risks of losing their home if they cannot pay the mortgage.  A senior source within the lending industry criticised the template and said it could be seen as irresponsible. He said: ‘I wonder how people would react if it was a lender sending out these letters. They would be concerned that this would be overselling it.’  Councils told Inside Housing they would not be using the CLG’s suggested wording.  Read more on Inside Housing.