Council Reports Surge in Right to Buy Applications

A Conservative-run council has said it is expecting a 400 per cent increase in right to buy applications following the government’s decision to increase discounts. The scheme received 43 applications from April 2011 to March 2012 compared with 87 in less than six months from April this year to date. If applications continue to flood in the estimated total for the year will be around 160, a 400 per cent increase on last year.  Ten years ago, Basildon Council sold over 200 homes under the Right to Buy scheme, but last year only 20 properties were purchased by tenants.  Read more on the Basildon Council website.