Right to buy restricted in Aberdeen
5 Sep 07
"Pressured area" status for parts of city
The right to buy public sector houses has been suspended in areas of Aberdeen to prevent serious shortages of affordable housing.
Ministers have accepted Aberdeen City Council's request to apply "pressured area" status to 35 letting areas.
Tenants within the designated areas whose tenancies have commenced since 30 September 2002 will have the right to buy their rented council or housing association house suspended for five years.
The restrictions apply to Cults, Ferryhill, Kingswells, Denmore, Middleton, Mannofield, Cove, Fountainhall, Altens, Old Aberdeen, Craigiebuckler, Bon Accord, Westburn, Bridge of Don, Stoneywood, George Street, Dyce, Holburn, Union Grove, Rosehill, Ruthrieston, Raeden, Central, Garthdee/Kaimhill, Bucksburn, Berryden, Peterculter, Balgownie, Ashgrove, Hilton, Sheddocksley, Hazlehead, Pittodrie, Rosemount, and Kepplehills.
An estimated 1,796 tenancies in Aberdeen are affected.
This will allow the council to retain homes for rent to people on low incomes in areas facing social housing pressures aggravated by right to buy.
The council is the eighth to have successfully applied to use the pressured area mechanism.