Housing Bill - Changes in the Right To Buy SchemePresently council tenants are able to purchase their rented property after 2 years of tenancy. However, this is about to change. As of the 18th January 2005, the new Housing Bill becomes law and the current 2 years will change to a period of 5 years. This means, that once the proposals come into force, any new council tenant will have to wait 5 years before having the option of buying their property. There is also a proposal to extend the period during which landlords can require owners to repay some or all, of the discount given on a property in the case of an early resale. Currently, purchasers of a property that has been bought on the right to buy scheme, can sell after 3 years with no requirement to make any repayments of the discount. The proposal suggests this should be extended to 5 years. Therefore, anyone who sells a property bought under the right to buy scheme within 5 years of the purchase, will be requested to repay a percentage of the given discount. Repayment figures are as follows: -
With the predicted drop in house prices in 2005 (meaning lower property valuations) combined with the new proposals further restrictions on council tenants wishing to purchase, now may be a good time to consider a right to buy. The proposed changes in the right to buy scheme include measures to reduce the attraction of purchasing a discounted property with the prospect of selling it to make a profit. The initial idea of the right to buy scheme was to give ordinary families the opportunity to own their own homes, something they may not have been able to afford otherwise. However there are concerns about the effects this has had on local housing stock and a number of people profiteering from potential windfalls in expensive property areas. Exploitation in the Right to Buy Scheme There have been several schemes where third party companies encourage tenants to purchase their homes under the right to buy scheme, by offering them cash incentives. The tenant purchases the property at a discounted price under the right to buy scheme and simultaneously exchanges contracts to sell the property to the company after 3 years at which point no discount penalty will be repayable. The tenant will lease the property to the company and move out of the home with a cash sum. This leaves the company free to rent out the property at the current market rental rates. After three years the tenant sells the property to the company. The company will either continue to rent the property at market rates or the property will be sold on at a substantial profit. The incentive for the tenant is the lump sum offered, which can be anywhere from £5000 to £26000 but is usually a percentage of the equity of the purchased property. This could be attractive to tenants who do not wish to purchase their current home or hope to purchase a property in another area as it will give them a ready made deposit to buy another home. The new proposals are designed to make this type of sale less attractive and prevent profiteering as well as securing local housing for the less well off. The proposed changes in section 180 and 182-189 of the Housing Act 2004 will come into effect on 18/1/2005. For more information on a right to buy mortgage, visit Right To Buy website. Nicola Bullimore has been working with people to resolve debt problems for a number of years. For more information regarding debt issues, please visit Debt Questions website.
MORE RESOURCES updated Thu. April / 25 / 2024 10-year refinance rates: What to know about the current market CNN Underscored Should You Refinance Halfway Through Your Mortgage? Bankrate.com How to Refinance Your Mortgage NerdWallet Only Half Of Black Seniors Approved For Home Repair Or Refinance Loans To Age In Place Block Club Chicago Loan Modification Vs. Refinance Bankrate.com 30-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, April 24, 2024 | Rates Still Slated to Go Down This Year Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, April 22, 2024 | The Still-Hot Economy is Keeping Rates High Business Insider 15-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates: Compare Current Rates Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, April 21, 2024 | Rates Remain Near 7% Business Insider How To Get The Best Refinance Rate Bankrate.com How To Choose The Right Kind Of Refinance For You Bankrate.com Will Interest Rates Go Down in May 2024? | Mortgage Rates Forecast The Mortgage Reports Average Mortgage Interest Rates: Mortgage Rates by Credit Score, Year, and Loan Type Business Insider The best mortgage lenders for refinancing in April 2024 CNN Underscored MBA: Mortgage Applications Decreased in Weekly Survey Calculated Risk Mortgage Rates This Week NerdWallet Should You Refinance Your Mortgage In 2024? Bankrate.com Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders In 2024 Bankrate.com Current mortgage refinance rates CNN Underscored When to Consider Refinancing Your Mortgage Business Insider Best Refinance Lenders of April 2024: Refinance Your Mortgage The Motley Fool How To Refinance A Rental House Bankrate.com Mortgage Interest Rates Today, April 19, 2024 | High Rates Make for a Challenging Homebuying Season Business Insider Mortgage Rates Chart | Historical and Current Rate Trends The Mortgage Reports Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders of April 2024 Business Insider Refinance Requirements: What You Need to Refinance Your Home in 2024 The Mortgage Reports Mortgage Interest Rates Today, April 20, 2024 | Rates Remain Elevated, but They Could Fall Later This Year Business Insider How Soon Can You Refinance a Mortgage? NerdWallet How To Refinance An Underwater Mortgage Bankrate.com Refinancing a Home Equity Loan (2024 Guide) MarketWatch Conventional Refinance Rates and Guidelines for 2024 The Mortgage Reports 30-year refinance rates: What to know CNN Underscored Mortgage Rate Predictions: Are 7% Rates Here to Stay in 2024? Norada Real Estate Investments Mortgage Rate Forecast February 2024 Bankrate.com Mortgage Rate History: 1970s to 2023 Bankrate.com Current 15-year refinance rates — and lenders that offer them CNN Underscored When should I refinance my mortgage? To determine if a refinance is the right move for you, you’ll need to know the ... The Wall Street Journal Pros and Cons of a Cash-Out Refinance Bankrate.com What Credit Score Do I Need To Refinance? Bankrate.com Should I Refinance My Mortgage Now? When to Refinance As Rates Drop Business Insider Office of Research blog: A look at cash-out refinance mortgages and their borrowers between 2013 to 2023 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau The Sales Pitch for an 8% Mortgage: Buy Now, Refinance Later—for Free The Wall Street Journal Current mortgage interest rates: Mortgage rates today CNN Underscored Mobile Home Refinancing | Loans & Rates 2023 The Mortgage Reports
|