‘Unusual situation’ caused by surge in tenants wanting to buy council homes in Lincoln

Close to 100 tenants have asked to buy their homes in the four weeks since the Government announced plans to reform the scheme, a council has revealed.

City of Lincoln Council typically only receives 50 applications a year but have received 90 this financial year, showing a big surge in demand.

The Right to Buy scheme was introduced by Margaret Thatcher’s government to allow people to buy their council homes.

However Labour’s Budget last month saw plans unveiled to try and slow the sales and keep social housing in councils’ hands.

Tenants may have to live in the home longer before they are eligible to buy it under the reforms, and the maximum discount on sales would be capped at £24,000.

The deadline to apply before the changes was November 21.

City of Lincoln Council’s housing committee was told this sudden rush had led to an ‘unusual situation’.

Darren Turner, director of housing and investment, told the meeting: “There has been a surge where people are concerned the unlimited timeframe would end, and would be less favourable than it is now.

“We’ve had around 100 applications, but we don’t expect all of them to go through to completion.”

Lincoln Tenant’s Panel expressed concerns about how the council would build its housing stock back up, with little room to build homes on.

Mr Turner said: “We typically plan to replace 50 homes per year.

“We believe after losing a lot in one lump there will be a short-term deficit, but it should smooth back out as fewer people apply in coming years.”

The committee were told that a variety of homes were being sought after by tenants, including flats and maisonettes.

Mick Barber, who sits on the panel, said: “The council has invested a lot of money in some properties to bring them up to standard.

“I’m glad we’ve got the right of first refusal for ten years if the tenant decides to sell up.”