AQW 21588/17-22
Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry
Tabled Date: 07/07/2021
Answered On Date: 28/07/2021
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities, pursuant to AQW 20590/17-22, to detail (i) the process and stipulations involved in the Right to Buy scheme, including rules on the re-selling and rental of houses purchased under the scheme; and (ii) any plans she has to review this process.
Answer:
Housing Executive tenants wishing to purchase / lease their homes must have a minimum of five years as a secure tenant, with either: The Housing Executive or A qualifying landlord Where the secure tenancy is a joint tenancy, the qualifying period only has to be satisfied by one of the joint tenants. If the five year qualifying tenancy wholly or partially relates to a qualifying landlord, the applicant will need to provide proof of this tenancy before an application is processed. An applicant without the five year qualifying tenancy may be eligible to purchase where they: Succeeded to the tenancy or Were assigned the current tenancy and These tenancies fulfilled the five year qualifying period. Introductory tenants are not eligible to purchase until the completion of one year’s tenancy. Completion of the introductory period counts towards eligibility and discount. Squatters are not eligible to purchase/lease. Where a squatter is subsequently granted a legal tenancy discount entitlement in relation to that property is from the date on which the decision was taken to legalise their tenancy. Secure tenants are required to submit an application to purchase their property and must provide acceptable evidence of identification on application. A secure tenant of a house with five years completed tenancy (or equivalent) is entitled to a discount of 20% with an increase of 2% for each additional completed year’s tenancy up to a maximum of 60%. The maximum discount under the House Sales Scheme incorporating equity sharing is £24,000. The legal documentation contains a covenant binding on the secure tenant and their successors in title to repay to the Housing Executive the discount received if within a period of 5 years the dwelling is sold. Discount is not repayable where the dwelling is sold more than once during the 5 year period. The purchaser must agree if they wish to dispose of the dwelling within 10 years from the date of purchase; that the Housing Executive or any registered housing association nominated by the Housing Executive will be given the option to re-purchase. If the option to purchase is not taken up by the Housing Executive or any registered housing association then the purchaser is entitled to sell the property to any willing buyer. There are no restrictions which prevent a purchaser from privately renting a property sold to them under the House Sales Scheme.
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