Rotherham Council has celebrated another key milestone in its plans to deliver hundreds of new homes across the borough.
The first property has been purchased under the Right to Buy ‘right of first refusal’ in East Dene.
The property was originally purchased from the Council (under Right to Buy) less than 10 years ago, and so legislation stipulates the Council has the right of first refusal to reacquire the property.
The Council will now carry out refurbishment work before a new tenant moves into the property in the New Year.
Last month, the Council celebrated the delivery of its 500th new Council home since 2018 as part of its ambitious Housing Delivery Programme.
Rotherham Council’s Deputy Leader, Cllr Sarah Allen said: “Housing acquisitions play a key part in the Council’s pledge to create more affordable, high-quality homes for residents,
“As a Council we have an important part to play in addressing the challenges faced and achieving better outcomes for the people of Rotherham.”
The acquisition in East Dene was initially approved by Cabinet in 2022. It has been used to shape the Council’s approach to these type of acquisitions and inform the Council’s new Housing Acquisitions Policy, approved by Cabinet in October 2023.
The majority of acquisitions of this type are based on approaches made by members of the public.
The types of acquisitions covered by the Council’s Acquisitions Policy include:
- If a former Council tenant sells their property purchased through the Right to Buy Scheme within the first ten years of the initial sale, the Council has right of first refusal to reacquire the property. If the property is sold within the first five years of the initial sale, the former tenant must pay back a percentage of the discount they received on the property.
- Council homes sold through the Right to Buy scheme that are outside the 10 year period. The Council is occasionally offered former Council homes where there is no statutory obligation for the current occupant to do so.
- Empty homes identified through Council Tax records.
- Disposals from Housing Associations that are offered to the Council due to low demand and/or cost of refurbishment.
- S106 acquisitions secured via planning policy in developments large enough to provide affordable housing.
- Homes advertised on the open market.
Residents who have previously purchased their home from the Council, and are now looking to sell, please do get in contact by emailing StrategicHousing@rotherham.gov.uk
Further information about housing in Rotherham can be found on the Council’s website at: www.rotherham.gov.uk/housing
Further information on the Right to Buy ‘right of first refusal’ and buyback of homes can be found on the Council’s website at: https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/council-social-housing/right-buy-buying-council-home/6