The Scottish Executive has agreed to a five-year suspension of right to buy for certain tenants in rented housing association houses in Dumfries and Galloway. The decision followed the Dumfries and Galloway Council’s case for 69 rural villages to be designated as ‘pressured’ for the purposes of right to buy. This ‘pressured’ option was introduced in 2001 to help maintain a supply of affordable housing in areas where right to buy could create serious shortages.
Our view
This is a difficult situation given that we understand the pressure to protect areas and likwise the needs to ensure property is available to buy.
Our view is simple: let market forces take their course and stop interfering.