An evaluation of the most enduring privatisation of the Thatcherera ...
Written in an accessible style, this is a key reference forstudents and researchers in housing and planning; geography; andsocial policy.
The book analyses the operation and impact of the right to buypolicy (RTB). It includes a critique of the Housing Act and the2001 Housing (Scotland) Act. The enactment of these changes under aLabour government affirms the continuance of the RTB. The authorstake stock of its profound effect on housing policy, reversing thegrowth in social housing developed over the twentieth century,transforming the nation's tenure structure and revolutionising theUK housing system.
The Right to Buy: analysis and evaluation of a housing policybegins with an examination of the policy background to theestablishment of the RTB and the main features of the legislation.This is followed by chapters that review its take-up and thepattern of sales and their impact on social housing; a chapterexamining the financial aspects of the RTB from the viewpoints oftenants, local authorities and central government; one looking atthe impact of the RTB via subsequent re-sales on the open marketand on the private rented sector; and a chapter drawing on theinformation already reviewed to consider the potential of the RTBto create sustainable and diverse communities. In the finalchapters the international experience of parallel policies areconsidered and the future take-up of the RTB is assessed in thelight of recent reforms together with alternatives.