 Right to Buy has increased pressure on council homes for rent |
Right to Buy legislation is having a "significant" impact on the number of council houses for rent in the Falkirk area, officials have warned. An average of 635 houses every year have been sold between 2000 and last year, with sales estimated to continue at as many as 550 each year.
A report by Falkirk Council housing and social work chiefs said the trend could lead to a shortfall of rented homes.
Several Scottish councils have already had to propose suspending Right to Buy.
Housing needs
Since the legislation came into force in 1980, the number of council houses in the Falkirk area has fallen from more than 34,000 to 18,300 in 2005.
Local authority officials said further research was needed before the council considered proposing to suspend tenants' right to buy their council homes.
But a report to Falkirk Council's Housing and Social Work Committee stated: "The Right to Buy has had a significant impact on the availability of social rented housing in the council area."
It added: "Some housing needs assessment work has been undertaken which suggests that there may be a potential shortfall in the availability of affordable housing in certain parts of the council area."
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