Right to Buy
As a result of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, substantial changes
were made to the right to buy (RTB). These changes came into
force on 30th September 2002.
The most important changes are to the terms and
conditions attached to the right to buy, including changes to the
initial qualifying period and to the way in which entitlement to
discount is calculated. there have also been changes to the
types of houses which cannot be purchased through the right to buy
and to the procedures involved. These changes are known as
the 'modernised right to buy'.
Some of the changes will apply to all tenants applying to buy their
house from 30th September 2002. For example, the new
requirement to show that you have no arrears of rent or council
tax. Whether the key changes relating to discount entitlement
and qualifying period apply however, depends on whether your
present tenancy started before 30th September 2002, and whether
that tenancy allowed you to exercise the right to buy.
As a general rule, if your current tenancy commenced before 30th
September 2002 and it allowed you to exercise the right to buy, the
old terms and conditions will continue to apply for as long as you
remain in that tenancy. However, with some limited
exceptions, if your tenancy started on or after 30th September
2002, the new terms and conditions associated with the modernised
right to buy will apply.
Sheltered Housing
Right to Buy does not apply if your home is part of a
designated sheltered housing complex.
Pressured Area Status
The Scottish Government has designated parts of Perth &
Kinross as Pressured Areas. The designation is effective from
2nd February 2007 and last for five years. This follows
an application by Perth & Kinross Council in September
2006.
The effect of the designation is to suspend the Right to Buy for
some Council tenants in the designated areas. The areas that
have been designated are as follows;
Highland Perthshire
Aberfeldy, Acharn, Birnam, Calvine, Dull, Dunkeld,
Fearnan, Glenlyon, Kenmore, Killiecrankie, Ballinluig,
Grandtully, Logierait, Blair Atholl, Kinloch Rannoch, Pitlochry,
Weem.
Greater Perth
Abernethy, Abernyte, Almondbank, Chapelhill, Collace, Balbeggie,
Bankfoot, Bridge of Earn, Dunning, Forgandenny, Glencarse,
Harrietfield, Guildtown, Inchture, Invergowrie, Kilspindie,
Kinrossie, Leetown, Longforgan, Luncarty, Methven, Pitcairngreen,
Saucher, Scone, St. Madoes.
The Right to Buy is suspended for all existing tenants whose
current tenancy began on or after the 30th September 2002.
All new tenancies that are created in these areas during the period
of the designation will also have their Right to Buy
suspended.
