Housing associations are consulting lawyers about setting
up ‘sister companies’ to free stock from the effect of government policies. Deregulatory
measures contained in the Housing and Planning Bill give landlords the freedom
to sell stock without the regulator’s oversight. This would allow associations
to create sister companies and sell stock to them, effectively removing them
from measures such as the rent cut and Right to Buy. Lawyers have fielded
initial queries from a range of landlords and are understood to be formally
advising some on the move. The move would likely prove controversial with the
government if it was seen as a way to evade reforms. Read more on Inside
Housing.
