Sharp Increase In Sales Of Social Stock

Housing associations have reported a 48% annual increase in sales of social rented homes, as they seek greater value for money from their assets. The Homes and Communities Agency’s (HCA) statistical data return shows associations disposed of 4,406 homes in 2015/16, up from 2,982 in 2014/15. Disposals are defined by the HCA as sales of social rented homes for ‘non-social housing use’. The figures also show that when demolitions, Social Homebuy sales and Right to Buy sales are factored in, the total amount of stock leaving the sector has increased by 16.6% to 18,419 homes year on year. Read more on the HCA website.

Right to Buy Sales Continue To Slump

Right to buy (RTB) sales have dropped by a fifth according to the latest government statistics. Figures published by CLG show there were only 3,090 RTB sales in the 2009/10 financial year, down from 3,870 the previous year. Local authority RTB sales fell from 2,880 to 2,290, removing £50 million from councils’ capital receipts. The average receipt per property also fell from £76,850 to £74,610. The latest drop is part of trend of falling RTB sales in recent years. Total social housing sales, including sales by housing associations under RTB, preserved RTB and social homebuy schemes, increased by 800 to 8,510. Download a copy of the report, “Social Housing Sales to Sitting Tenants 2009-10” from the CLG website.

Social Homebuy: Guidance For Local Authorities

This is a guide for local authority landlords who are operating, or are considering operating, the Social Homebuy scheme. It aims to provide information on the criteria for, and administration of, the scheme and to address the most frequently asked questions. Find the document on the CLG website by clicking on the logo below.