Housing minister Grant Shapps has announced a marketing drive to tell social tenants about larger RIght to Buy discounts.
A new call centre and website have now gone live to help aspiring home-owners among England’s 2.5 million social tenants get advice and information about changes to the Right to Buy.
Launched in April, the rejiged scheme offers eligible tenants discounts of up to £75,000 off the value of their home, with a “national” pledge that every additional property sold will be replaced with a new affordable home to rent.
Research commissioned by the Department for Communities and Local Government suggests that many council and housing association tenants are unaware of the changes – or unsure whether they are eligible to apply.
Shapps said: “For years, the Right to Buy for council tenants was undermined by punitive cuts to the discounts available, locking the door to home ownership for millions of hard-working people.
“Now, our revitalised Right to Buy scheme has trebled the discount in many areas, and has led to a surge in interest from aspiring homeowners across the country. But our research clearly shows that too many tenants are still in the dark about what this could mean for them.
“That’s why today I’m launching a dedicated call centre and website for anyone wanting to use their Right to Buy so that those wanting to buy their council home are equipped with all the facts, make an informed decision and take full advantage of the revitalised scheme to feel the pride of home ownership.”
