§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what safeguards are in place to prevent abuse of the right-to-buy scheme by people who are not council tenants; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungThe right to buy only gives public sector tenants the right to purchase, at a discount, the home in which they live. The tenant purchaser is required to repay all or part of the discount to the vendor authority if, within three years of purchase, the freehold of the property is conveyed, the lease assigned or a new lease granted, or an option to purchase is given to a third party. Any question about the repayment of discount in an individual case is a matter for the vendor authority.