Brighton and Hove council looks at buying back ex public housing
Brighton and Hove city councillors are considering a proposal to buy back former council homes bought under right-to-buy in an attempt to offer additional affordable rented housing. If the trial goes ahead, the council will be able to buy up to four homes, costing a maximum of £250,000, with the trial reviewed a year after the purchases. The home purchase policy would enable the council to buy back homes sold under right-to-buy if they come on to the market.

Scheme to buy back former council homes

A proposal for a trial scheme to enable Brighton & Hove City Council to buy back former council homes is to be considered by councillors.

The idea is aimed at providing more affordable rented housing for people on the housing register by bringing homes sold under Right to Buy back into council ownership.

Members of the council’s Housing and New Homes Committee will consider the proposal at a meeting soon.

If the proposed one year trial goes ahead, the council could buy back four homes, each costing up to a maximum of £250,000. Properties would be independently valued and people selling would benefit from a quick sale with no chain. The scheme would be reviewed the following year.

Money for purchasing homes would come from the council’s Housing Revenue Account and the properties could be used to provide temporary accommodation or permanent homes.

The proposed Home Purchase Policy provides the council with the formal policy and budget framework to be able to buy back council properties sold within the last 10 years, and longer, if they come onto the market.

Anne Meadows, chair of the Housing and New Homes Committee, said: “We are already building new council homes in the city, and this proposal is another way in which we could provide more homes to rent.

“Anything that brings us more social housing is fantastic for the city. Even if only a small number of properties is involved, it all adds up, and for four families on our housing register it could mean a new home.”