The Department for Work and Pensions has opened a new call centre and website to inform the UK’s would be home owners on how to get on the property ladder.
Launched by housing minister Grant Schapps, the website offers advice and information to social tenants on changes to the right-to-buy scheme, which was relaunched in April.
The scheme offers England’s 2.5 million social tenants discounts of up to £75,000 off the value of their home, with a national pledge that every additional property sold will be replaced with a new affordable home to rent.
While some councils have reported huge increase in the scheme, with Wandsworth Council taking 141 applications between April and June this year compared to 13 last year, recent research has found that many council and housing association tenants are unaware of the changes, or whether they are eligible to apply.
Shapps said: “For years, the right-to-buy for council tenants was undermined by punitive cuts to the discounts available, locking the door to home ownership for millions of hard-working people.
“Now, our revitalised scheme has trebled the discount in many areas, and has led to a surge in interest from aspiring homeowners across the country. But our research clearly shows that too many tenants are still in the dark about what this could mean for them.
“That’s why today I’m launching a dedicated call centre and website, so that those wanting to buy their council home are equipped with all the facts to make an informed decision and take full advantage of the revitalised scheme to feel the pride of home ownership.”
