§ Mr. Heddleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has recently received from local authorities and other local government organisations in connection with the operation of the right-to-buy provisions of the Housing Act 1980 in respect of properties which are structurally unsound; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Stanley[pursuant to his reply, 28 July 1982]: We have received representations from a number of local authorities and other bodies to the effect that where there is reason to believe that a dwelling-house is structurally unsound this should be a reason for denying to the tenant of that dwelling-house the right to buy his home. Under the provisions of the Housing Act 1980 secure tenants have the right to buy their homes and I am not considering any proposals to limit that right. Nevertheless it is clearly in the interests of both the landlord and the tenant that the tenant should be fully informed about the condition of the property before deciding to buy, which is why we have recommended that tenants who are buying their homes should have them surveyed.