Reference: D738
Decision Maker: Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth and Economy
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
To update the Portfolio Holder for Growth and
Regeneration on proposals to launch a pilot Voluntary Right to Buy
scheme in the East Midlands.
To seek the Portfolio Holder for Growth and Regeneration’s
support of the Council’s strategic approach to the East
Midlands pilot.
To propose a further report is provided to the Portfolio Holder for
Growth and Regeneration when the findings of the pilot are
circulated.
•The strategic approach of the Council is
not to support the sale of housing association properties, unless
the Housing Association has demonstrated to the Council that there
are exceptional circumstances which justify disposal of the
affordable home.
•The Portfolio Holder receives a further report detailing the
findings of the East Midlands Voluntary Right to Buy Pilot when it
has concluded in March 2020 and the subsequent findings are
published.
•Supporting VRTB has the potential to
result in the loss of affordable homes in the borough at a time
when there is significant demand for affordable homes.
•There is a risk that any replacement homes may not be in the
borough, be of the same type, of the same size or of the same
tenure and that there may be a delay in the provision of the new
homes.
•There is a potential risk for new owners to lose their homes
and present to the Council as homeless, as well as potential for
exploitation of the scheme.
•There is a risk of tenants without a local connection to the
borough using their portable VRTB discount to purchase properties
in the borough.
•There is a risk that clauses relating to future sales,
sub-letting or the right of first refusal are not included in the
contract for sale by HA’s, and therefore these obligations
would not be enforceable.
•The need to provide a consistent response to all housing
associations.
•As this is a pilot scheme, a further report on the findings
will be undertaken to ensure Councillors are updated of potential
changes in the social housing sector.
To give approval for the potential disposal of
properties in the Borough as part of the East Midlands Voluntary
Pilot Right to Buy - not recommended due to the significant need
for affordable housing in the borough and the concerns set out
above that affordable housing properties may be sold to residents
from outside of the borough and / or the replacement homes
delivered by HA’s will not be provided in the borough
resulting in a loss of affordable housing.
Publication date: 13/08/2018
Date of decision: 13/08/2018
Accompanying Documents: