Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for
Communities and Local Government what steps he is taking to encourage local
authorities to discharge their legal obligations to promote Right to Buy; and
if he will make a statement.
Kris Hopkins: Social housing landlords have a statutory
duty to process right to buy applications within set timescales. Where
landlords are failing in this duty, I would encourage tenants to make use of
the delay response mechanisms available, including serving landlords with
statutory notices of delay where appropriate. Continual delays can result in a
reduction in the purchase price (rent paid during the delayed period is treated
as an advance payment towards the purchase price of the property under the
right to buy). Statutory notice of delay forms and guidance can be found here:
www.gov.uk/right-to-buy-buying-your-council-home/delays My hon. Friend rightly identifies the need for tenants to
have further support and information on the right to buy. The autumn statement
outlines a series of steps, including new right to buy agents, and I am
currently considering how best to engage with local authorities to raise the
conversion rate from applications to sales.
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