New bill targets domestic abusers and overhauls right to buy in England
Social housing landlords to be able to evict perpetrators, while right-to-buy tenancy requirements to rise
TL;DR
- Social housing landlords in England will be able to evict domestic abuse perpetrators.
- The required tenancy length for the right-to-buy scheme will increase from three to 10 years.
- Victims of domestic abuse will no longer be forced to leave their homes when an abuser is evicted.
- Joint tenancies can be transferred to the victim's sole name or suitable alternative accommodation provided.
- Newly built social homes will be protected for 35 years, and rural homes will be exempt from right-to-buy.
- Councils will have a stronger right of first refusal to buy back properties.
- The bill removes outdated requirements from the 2016 Housing and Planning Act, providing more certainty for social housing providers.