Summary

The introduction of the Right to Buy in 1980 meant a large increase in council house sales. Now it is possible to look beyond the immediate effects of purchase by tenants and consider the longer-term implications of the re-selling which has occurred. This report studies what happens to former council homes when the properties are resold on the open market, raising a number of important issues for housing policy. Are they saleable? Are some more saleable than others? Do they receive lower valuations? Who buys former council homes? This research has involved a social survey of over 3000 households occupying former council dwellings which have been resold or otherwise vacated by the original Right to Buy purchasers.