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Chapter 5: Impact of the Right to Buy

The impact of Right to Buy on housing opportunities

We asked respondents to describe the impact Right to Buy had had on their housing opportunities and choices over time. Respondents identified ways in which Right to Buy had impacted on their housing opportunities and choices. Key themes included;

• purchasing opportunities
• home improvements
• increased mobility
• the impact on finances, for example investment opportunities.

Some respondents also identified the impact of Right to Buy in terms of personal improvement. These various impacts are discussed in turn in below.

Impact on purchasing opportunities

Respondents expressed the impact of Right to Buy in terms of the impact on their purchasing opportunities, both for the immediate opportunity of purchasing their council house, and also the impact this has had on later housing purchases. Whilst some expressed these opportunities in personal terms, others made more general references to Right to Buy increasing opportunities for "working class" or "unemployed" people to buy their own home.

Often, Right to Buy was seen to have offered council tenants a unique opportunity to purchase a home. This view was particularly strong amongst respondents who had taken the opportunity themselves. For example a woman from Stirlingshire, who had purchased her four-in-a-block flat, explained that without the Right to Buy "I honestly don't think we would have been able to afford to buy a house." (Right to Buy purchaser still in purchased home, Stirlingshire, Interview 56.)

Some respondents thought the Right to Buy had provided them with their only chance to buy a home. When these respondents were asked what they would have done if Right to Buy had not been available, they thought that they would have continued to rent council properties. Indeed those who were living in the property they had purchased through Right to Buy, generally predicted that, without the Right to Buy, they would still be tenants of that property.

For example, two single parents mentioned that Right to Buy offered them the only opportunity they had to purchase a home. A single mother who was renting a property from Inverness Council described how purchasing a property on the open market would not be possible for someone in her circumstances . In her opinion, for single parents, Right to Buy often provided the only way to purchase a home.

"With your discounts, it makes it more affordable for you to get onto the property market. Whereas before, forget it on a single parent's wage, that is not going to happen."
Tenant with modernised Right to Buy, Inverness, Interview 30.

A few purchasers believed that the Right to Buy had improved their opportunity to purchase a home. These respondents described how Right to Buy had provided them with "a start in life". Typically, they predicted that they would have purchased a home eventually, even if Right Buy had not been available. However, Right to Buy had provided them with an easier route to home ownership. Although respondents did not refer directly to the discount to a property's market value awarded under Right to Buy, it was apparent that this had made home ownership more accessible for them.

Occasionally, exercising the Right to Buy represented a step on the way to buying the current home. For example, a woman who had purchased her two bedroom council flat in Edinburgh over 25 years ago and owned a 3 bedroom semidetached house with a large garden, explained that it would have been more difficult to finance the purchase of her current house if she had not bought first through Right to Buy.

"We had a nice house which we bought and therefore had a nice house to sell, which obviously was a bonus in itself. It would have just been a lot harder for us financially to get here [without Right to Buy] ."
Right to Buy purchaser who subsequently sold their Right to Buy property, Edinburgh, Interview 53

Respondents who thought they would have bought a property even without the assistance of Right to Buy often had a family history of homeownership. This included many of the respondents who later went on to sell their Right to Buy property.

Tenants were less likely to refer to the impact of Right to Buy on purchasing opportunities. Clearly many tenants had not considered purchasing their council home and perhaps had not thought about the benefits of home ownership. Those tenants who did talk about Right to Buy's impact on purchasing opportunities generally knew someone who had purchased their council house through Right to Buy.

Some purchasers of ex-Right to Buy properties explained how, at the time of their purchase, their properties had been cheaper than similar houses which had always been privately owned, simply because they were 'ex-council'. This lower price may have enabled them to buy a house that was more suitably sized, in a better state of repair or in a more suitable area. These respondents felt that they would have bought a property, even if they were not able to purchase an ex-Right to Buy property. For example, a retired woman from Inverness who had bought an ex-Right to Buy property with her husband, explained that without Right to Buy releasing rental stock onto the private market, they would not have been able to afford to buy a bungalow.

"Our options would have been very different. I think that we would have probably got a flat. I don't think that we would have managed to buy a bungalow."
Purchaser of an ex-Right to Buy property, Inverness, Interview 28.

Nevertheless, some explained that ex-Right to Buy houses were now being sold for similar prices to equivalent houses.

Impact on home improvements

It was clear from the interviews that there was an expectation that once someone purchases a house from the council, they will make improvements to it. Although respondents rarely referred to this specifically when considering the personal impact of Right to Buy, it was clear that many purchasers had undertaken a wide range of improvements to their house subsequent to purchasing. A few respondents who purchased their home through Right to Buy acknowledged that the scheme had given them the "freedom" to renovate their home. Furthermore, a man who purchased his four-in-a-block flat in Glasgow thought that purchasing his home was the only way to get improvements done (56). When he had been a tenant he had repeatedly asked for repairs and maintenance to be done on his flat. He found that the council either refused to do these repairs as "they hadn't got the money to do it", or that the work completed by the council was to a poor standard.

Indeed, when some respondents discussed the impact Right to Buy had on others, they referred to the increased opportunity to make improvements to the home. For example a woman renting her flat in Glasgow talked about her friend who had purchased a council property through Right to Buy.

"She's been able to do her house up. She's extended out and done different things that she could never have got done when she was with the council."
Tenant with preserved Right to Buy, Glasgow, Interview 41.

These home improvements might have had an impact on neighbours and neighbourhoods. Some respondents claimed that areas were improving because of these renovations. A man from Edinburgh who sold his home he purchased through Right to Buy explained that "it doesn't look like a council scheme if people are buying their houses" because purchasers were renovating their homes. (Right to Buy purchaser who subsequently sold their Right to Buy property, Edinburgh, Interview 20). A single mother renting her house from Stirling council explained how purchasers were improving their gardens. "I felt that I had to keep [my garden] a bit tidier out of respect for them." (Tenant with preserved Right to Buy, rural Stirlingshire, Interview 25).

The renovations may also have had negative impacts. A man who purchased his four-in-a-block flat in Aberdeen explained how he spent a lot of money renovating his flat. He expressed concern that the 'savings' offered to him by the discount on the properties estimated market value had to be spent on repairs.

Impact on mobility

Some respondents expressed the view that Right to Buy offered purchasers greater freedom of movement. Others reported that it gave them a sense of increased security; because they knew that as owners they had the right to stay in their own home as long as they wanted. Either way, it was clear that Right to Buy empowered some respondents with an increased ability to choose their housing movements.

Many respondents who went on to sell the property they had bought through Right to Buy described having gained an increased freedom. They explained that by purchasing their council house they had greater opportunity to move on to better or more suitable houses, or to better areas. For example, a widow from Edinburgh explained that Right to Buy gave her "freedom". She thought that without Right to Buy, she would still be renting the same council property.

"Being able to move from one area to another. There is no way I would have been able to move out of a council house."
Right to Buy purchaser who subsequently sold their Right to Buy property, Edinburgh, Interview 49.

Some of these respondents had a sense of improving their situation. They talked about the opportunity they had to sell their Right to Buy house and use the profit for their next purchase. For example a woman who, with her husband, bought her semi-detached house from the council in Glasgow and then sold it four years later, explained how Right to Buy allowed them to move up the property ladder.

"It gave us a good start, because of the discount that we had. That gave us a good deposit towards a mortgage when we moved onto the next house. So it made houses affordable for us. We could go up the rung of the ladder."
Right to Buy purchaser who subsequently sold their Right to Buy property, Glasgow, Interview 59.

This sense of freedom was not confined only to those who had already sold their Right to Buy property. A few respondents who still lived in the property purchased through Right to Buy were considering moving in the future. The reasons these respondents were thinking of moving varied, including suitability of current property and aspirations to move on to a better property. For example older respondents in property with stairs, may be concerned that these will become a problem in the future. These respondents believed that Right to Buy would allow them to make this move. They could put the proceeds from selling their Right to Buy property into purchasing their next home.

Conversely, a small number mentioned that, when they were tenants, they had had difficulties trying to get an exchange to a better property. By purchasing their home through Right to Buy, they felt that they were more likely to move on to a more suitable house. For example, a young woman from rural Stirlingshire described her current home, purchased through Right to Buy, as unsuitable because she lived with her husband and three children in a two bedroom flat. Initially, she felt 'forced' into purchasing an unsuitable property because the Council could not offer her a transfer. However she now considers that Right to Buy had opened up the opportunity to move.

"It has a weight off my shoulders because we know we are going to get somewhere [more suitable] . When we were on the waiting list, we were just at a standstill."
Right to Buy purchaser still in purchased home, rural Stirlingshire, Interview 26

Other purchasers expressed the comfort they felt, knowing that Right to Buy had given them the opportunity to move, even if they do not want to. These purchasers were happy with their current home, but thought that, if the property became unsuitable in the future, for example because of failing health, they would be able to move. A couple, nearing retirement, from rural Perthshire in a three bedroom house explained that they would be able to move to more suitable property without stairs should their health deteriorate in old age.

"We have got our health and everything, but if anything happens in five years you don't know…You always know that you own your own house…There is always a market for this kind of, house."
Right to Buy purchaser still in purchased home, rural Perthshire, Interview 15

Interestingly, retired purchasers still in their purchased home talked about the security of home ownership. For them, one of the most significant impacts of Right to Buy was that owning their home allowed them to feel more secure. Right to Buy provided them with the knowledge that they would not have to move out of their house as they aged.

In direct contrast, for several tenants - those who had not or could not exercise their Right to Buy - one of the main impacts of Right to Buy on their housing opportunities was a decreased mobility. Their perception was that the purchasing of council properties through Right to Buy had led to depleted housing stocks. This had reduced their chances of the council moving them to more suitable houses or to more desirable areas in response to their transfer requests. For example a single parent with two sons in a rented flat in Edinburgh was unhappy with the area in which he lives. He blamed Right to Buy as the reason why he had been unable to move into a house in a 'better' area.

"[Right to Buy] certainly lessened my choice where I could live. The fact that so many council properties have now been sold off has lessened the opportunities for myself and the boys."
Tenant with modernised Right to Buy, Edinburgh, Interview 19.

Impacts on financial opportunities

Some respondents, particularly those with experience of Right to Buy, described various positive financial impacts of Right to Buy. These financial opportunities included inheritance, financial security, investments and an improved quality of life.

Respondents, particularly pensioners and those with children, described how Right to Buy would provide an inheritance for their family, which they may not have had otherwise. A single parent from Edinburgh who bought and then sold a house through Right to Buy described Right to Buy as "something you know your family is going to get money back from. You can't lose." (Right to Buy purchaser who subsequently sold their Right to Buy property, Edinburgh, Interview 49).

Some respondents mentioned that Right to Buy could act as an investment in their future. As described earlier, some saw this as an investment that could help towards moving into more suitable properties. A few described it as an investment in terms of providing for the future, either by reducing their monthly outgoings once their mortgage was paid off, or by the profits from the sale of their Right to Buy property. A retired man from rural Perthshire made a profit when selling his Right to Buy home, which he did not reinvest in his next purchase. He asserted that, in this way, he had made greater returns on his purchase than if he had invested his money in any other way.

Although few respondents described that Right to Buy had provided them with a financial investment, some did report that it provided them with financial security. This view was expressed by a number of older purchasers of Right to Buy properties. For example a couple who were close to retirement age in rural Perthshire said Right to Buy offered them security, as they knew that should they ever need the money, they could always sell their house. For them, 'money' was bound up in the value of their three bedroom terrace house.

"It had given us a bit more security. Coming up to our old age… it all boils down to money. If you have got money, you are safe."
Right to Buy purchaser still in purchased home, rural Perthshire, Interview 15

Other respondents with experience of Right to Buy, described how this had offered them an improved quality of life. Their monthly mortgage payments were less than their previous rental payments. The difference each month provided them with greater disposable income, which could be spent as they liked, for example on holidays, or could be saved for retirement.

One respondent also mentioned that Right to Buy impacted on her financial status. This widow, who had bought her terrace house from Edinburgh with her husband, reported that, after the purchase, her credit rating improved. This allowed her to apply for credit cards and loans.

"It opens the door if you were applying for [a] loan or credit card. It gives you a bit of status, it puts your status up a bit in some respects… 'Are you a homeowner?' I think that probably is quite important to people who are going to lend money."
Right to Buy purchaser still in purchased home, Edinburgh, Interview 18.

As discussed earlier, many respondents spent more money renovating their home after purchasing it through Right to Buy. Although these respondents seemed happy to undertake these renovations, it is possible that they detract from the financial impacts of Right to Buy. At least one respondent had re-mortgaged their house to the full valuation of the house in order to carry out repairs and renovations.

Impact on personal satisfaction, attitudes and behaviour

Many respondents referred to changes in attitude affecting those who had purchased through Right to Buy. These were generally positive and included;

• increased pride in their home,
• self-esteem or sense of achievement,
• independence, and
• sense of responsibility.

The most common change that was referred to was the increased sense of pride that purchasers had in their home. This change was identified by all types of respondent; Right to Buy purchasers, ex-Right to Buy purchasers and tenants. Many respondents viewed the home improvements made by Right to Buy purchasers as a sign of increased pride in their homes. A few believed that this pride went further, and that Right to Buy made some owners care more about their neighbourhood. A woman who purchased her flat in Edinburgh through Right to Buy believed that the scheme "helps to improve people's lives and makes them more caring neighbours and citizens". (Right to Buy purchaser still in purchased home, Edinburgh, Interview 18.)

Many Right to Buy purchasers discussed how they had not exercised their Right to Buy until some time after hearing about the scheme. Generally neighbours, friends or family had purchased their council house before the respondents decided to exercise their Right to Buy. It appears that these respondents gained the confidence to purchase their council house from seeing others around them go through the Right to Buy process. In addition this might have provided them with an understanding of the costs involved in repairs and maintenance. A woman from Glasgow explained that while she was a tenant she never thought she would be able to afford to buy a house. However, as more and more people she knew exercised their Right to Buy, she began to realise that this was an opportunity for her too.

"It was changing [my] mindset from negativity to seeing this as an opportunity. Getting over all the worries that you have about actually maintaining the whole building, it's your responsibility. I found that was the barrier. [However we] r ealised that so many other people do it. So we thought 'if they can do it…'."
Right to Buy purchaser who subsequently sold their Right to Buy property, Glasgow, Interview 59.

A few respondents who purchased their home through Right to Buy suggested that their personal outlook had been affected more generally. Some described a sense of achievement. A retired couple who purchased their four-in-a-block flat in Glasgow, described Right to Buy as giving them an increased sense of independence. This increased sense of independence perhaps came from their ability to make changes to their house without going through the council. A woman who sold her Right to Buy property in Edinburgh explained Right to Buy gave her a greater sense of responsibility.

"If I lost my job my first priority would be to find another job so that I could maintain [a roof over my head]. If I was a council tenant… I could live off state benefits."
Right to Buy purchaser who subsequently sold their Right to Buy property, Edinburgh, Interview 03.

The impact of Right to Buy on neighbourhoods

When respondents were asked how Right to Buy affected neighbourhoods, the most common response was that owners generally took greater care of their properties than tenants. They felt that Right to Buy gave owners more pride in their homes, which encouraged them to take more care of their own properties. Improvements were made to homes and gardens, in turn encouraging other residents in the area to take more pride in their homes too. For example a retired woman who purchased an ex-Right to Buy property in Inverness commented:

"The houses have been upgraded and people have been given a pride in the area."
Purchaser of an ex-Right to Buy property, Inverness, Interview 28.

Furthermore, a few respondents suggested that this increased pride in the home prompted purchasers to be better neighbours and to take more interest in the neighbourhood. For example, owners were described as taking more interest in communal areas, to be more likely to "keep their children in order" and to encourage a community spirit. One retired purchaser from Glasgow suggested that Right to Buy had improved neighbours' behaviour because they were " more aware" of their surroundings. A single parent who was a tenant in Aberdeen thought that purchasers would have more " respect" for the area, because they would feel that they had invested in it personally.

However, in contrast, a retired tenant from Glasgow felt that some purchasers became more selfish and had an attitude that they could do anything they liked, because they owned their house. She felt that the Right to Buy purchasers were less respectful of the communal areas because of this:

"It's just selfishness really. We have a big area [outside with] trees in it, and in the spring and summer there's loads of flowers. It's a nice outlook. People have started to use it as a parking area and… they've been tipping rubbish."
Tenant with the preserved Right to Buy, Glasgow, Interview 33.

A few purchasers of ex-Right to Buy properties and purchasers who had sold their home felt that Right to Buy provided a more stable neighbourhood. They believed that Right to Buy purchasers were continuing to invest in their local neighbourhood and staying there. This stability was viewed as encouraging a sense of community. For example a retired couple who purchased an ex-Right to Buy house in rural Perthshire felt that it was better that tenants were buying properties, rather than renting them, because the residents changed over less often.

"With people buying [council properties] , at least the people that are buying them are people you've known, instead of a lot of strangers coming in and renting."
Purchaser of ex-Right to Buy property, rural Perthshire, Interview 47.

By contrast, a woman who had purchased her terraced house in rural Stirlingshire through Right to Buy felt that her neighbourhood had become unsettled as an indirect result of the scheme. She explained how the neighbourhood had improved as a large number of council houses began to be bought by their tenants. However this improvement was followed by an increase in the number of private houses built in the area. With this came greater movement of neighbours. She viewed these changes as a negative impact of Right to Buy, describing how the character of the neighbourhood had altered when these new neighbours arrived. She felt there was a sense of "alienation" from the community.

"They treat you like they are trying to push us out and sort of I know it sounds stupid but kind of take over the place and we have no say in anything anymore we are sort of unimportant."
Right to Buy purchaser still in purchased home, rural Perthshire, Interview 24.

A few respondents mentioned other positive impacts of the Right to Buy on local neighbourhoods. These included neighbourhoods where lots of council houses have been purchased gaining a better reputation in the wider community than they had previously. Also, a few mentioned that housing prices in these neighbourhoods were rising more quickly than prices in areas where fewer council houses had been purchased. (Home owners saw this as a positive impact.)

Some respondents felt that Right to Buy impacted negatively on the accessibility of 'good' neighbourhoods for many people. These respondents were generally tenants. They believed that the majority of 'good houses' in 'good' neighbourhoods had been sold through Right to Buy. This made these neighbourhoods increasingly inaccessible for council tenants such as themselves. For example a single father from Edinburgh felt that when he applied for council housing, he had not been able to get a house in a 'good' neighbourhood. He blamed this on the fact that so many council properties had been sold off.

"I would say it certainly lessened my choice of where I could live, the fact that so many council properties have now been sold off… The Right to Buy… has lessened the opportunity for myself and the boys."
Tenant with modernised Right to Buy, Edinburgh, Interview 19.

A few respondents pointed out that, as the good council houses in good neighbourhoods were bought in increasing numbers, the poorer or less desirable housing in worse areas were being abandoned by decent tenants, by families and to an extent by the council who were slower to carry out repairs or take action to enforce social order on their estates than before. Estates comprising multi storey blocks with communal entrances became the increasing focus of anti-social behaviour, shabby conditions (partly due to vandalism) and dropping occupancy rates as their demography changed. Meanwhile, the neighbouring estates comprising houses were moving up-market. In these examples, respondents thought that Right to Buy had helped create either a downward or upward spiral of deterioration or improvement.

A few respondents expressed concern that some people were purchasing local council houses in order to let them out on the private rental market. These respondents lived in Edinburgh, Perthshire and Glasgow and were generally Right to Buy purchasers; just one was a tenant. Although one respondent condemned this practice as 'profiteering', respondents' greater concern was that the properties might be let out to unsuitable tenants. For example a retired couple who had purchased their four-in-a-block flat in Edinburgh told of problematic tenants in the area who rented an ex-Right to Buy property from a private landlord. The problems caused by this family included noise, damage to property and vandalism. One respondent, a Right to Buy purchaser from rural Perthshire, explained that in his area, landlords of ex-Right to Buy properties were overcrowding the properties with immigrants.

The impact of Right to Buy on rental stock

Many respondents expressed concerns that one impact of Right to Buy was the depletion of council stock. This reduced the availability of affordable rented accommodation for those who needed it. Some were simply concerned that rental stock overall was being reduced. Others felt that specific types of housing were being depleted.

All types of respondent mentioned that Right to Buy was depleting council rental stock. Generally respondents felt that the stock was being reduced, because councils were not building replacements for properties that had been sold.

A few respondents felt they had been personally affected by lack of council stock. For example a single parent who was a council tenant in rural Stirlingshire felt that there was a reduction in the family housing available to her in the area. She blamed this specifically on relatives helping purchase the long-term council homes of elderly tenants.

She currently lived in a small one-bedroom house with her young child.

"It (Right to Buy) is just making it that bit harder for me to get an extra room for [my son] … I think it's unfair that families buy their parents' [council] houses and then sell it."
Tenant with preserved Right to Buy, rural Stirlingshire, Interview 21.

Some respondents felt that there was a lack of a specific type of housing. For example a single parent from Aberdeen felt that many pensioners' houses have been bought in her area. Others felt that there was "a lack of council houses now when you are a family". Some felt that the 'best' houses and houses in the 'best' areas had all been sold. This was expressed as a lack of opportunity both for those who wished to rent from the council and for those who were looking to exercise their Right to Buy. For example, a retired Right to Buy purchaser from Glasgow said:

"They only buy the decent properties [in] the most suitable and sought after areas. So the younger ones coming through now will find it very difficult [to buy]. "
Right to Buy purchaser still in purchased home, Glasgow, Interview 31

A female purchaser of an ex-Right to Buy property in Inverness explained that:

"People that need housing straight away [are] getting put into bed and breakfast because there isn't [anything] for them."
Purchaser of ex-Right to Buy property, Inverness, Interview 29.

Indeed many respondents felt that the council should be building new property to replace those sold through Right to Buy. A few respondents explained that when they initially heard about Right to Buy, they assumed that the council would replace houses that were sold. They were surprised when they found out this was not the case. For example a purchaser who sold her Right to Buy property in rural Perthshire said the council should be replacing these houses.

"[The council] are not building enough houses to keep up with the demand of people that want to rent… If people are constantly buying up local authority stock… That's got to be an issue for somebody."
Right to Buy purchaser who subsequently sold her Right to Buy property, rural Perthshire, Interview 52.

One couple commented that even when new council houses were built, people clamoured to move into the new properties and then purchased them within two years. This was particularly the case in areas where there was a mix of council houses and private property, They felt that when the government replaces council housing stock, these should not be available for purchase under Right to Buy for a much longer period, otherwise the council would be "subsidising people to get onto the property ladder cheaply". (Right to Buy purchasers who subsequently sold their Right to Buy property, Edinburgh, Interview 54).

Reasons for selling Right to Buy properties

Respondents who had sold their Right to Buy home were asked about their reasons for selling their property and the length of time they had lived there before selling. Although the length of time they owned their Right to Buy properties varied from one year to over 30 years ⁴, many had spent five years or less as owners of their Right to Buy property before selling. No respondent explicitly described purchasing their home through Right to Buy with the intention of selling it. Rather these respondents explained that they sold their Right to Buy property due to changing circumstances, such as growth of family, death and divorce.

Some respondents had decided to sell their property because they wanted a bigger house for their family. Although the house purchased through Right to Buy may have been suitable at the point of purchase, as families grew larger, or older, respondents felt they required larger properties to adapt to their families changing needs. These respondents often stayed in their Right to Buy houses for five years or less after the purchase.

At least one respondent who had since sold their Right to Buy property described this property as being not 'ideal' at the time of purchase. A woman from Glasgow explained the circumstances in which she and her husband had bought their Right to Buy two bedroom semi-detached house in rural Greater Glasgow. The house was too small for them and their two children, but they planned to convert it after the purchase. However when they investigated the conversion, they found that the work was more complex than originally thought and too expensive. Instead, they sold the house and purchased another two bedroom house which they were able to convert into a three bedroom house.

A small number of Right to Buy purchasers who had thought that their property was less than 'ideal' at the point of purchase were still living there. They felt that they would have a greater opportunity to move to a more suitable property as home owners, rather than as tenants. Selling a house and buying another would be quicker to do, and would offer greater scope for choice, than applying to the council as tenants for a housing transfer. At the time of the interview, these respondents mentioned vague plans to sell their property and to buy more suitable family homes.

While some respondents had sold their Right to Buy properties so they could buy and move into larger homes, a few had done so in order to move into smaller properties. Again, this was in response to changing personal circumstances, such as their children leaving home.

It should be noted that two respondents had never lived in the homes they had purchased. They had bought properties on behalf of their parents, the tenants, and later sold them after their parents' deaths.

Respondents still living in their Right to Buy properties sometimes described having similar opportunities for selling and moving home as those respondents who had already done so. Generally, as before, these opportunities would provide a means of adapting to changing circumstances, particularly old age and family growth. Many older or retired purchasers in flats or houses recognised that as they age, they might have difficulties with the stairs in their home. They recognised that they would be able to sell their house and buy a more suitable property if and when this became necessary. However, some of these respondents expressed the desire to stay in their current property for the rest of their lives, regardless of its suitability.

A few families with younger children considered their Right to Buy property to be too small for their family and were considering selling. Parents predicted that as children grew older, it would become difficult for them to continue sharing a bedroom. For example a young woman in Edinburgh lived in a two-bedroom house with her husband and three sons. She recognised that their need for additional bedrooms would become more of a factor as the sons reached adolescence.

Future housing intentions and aspirations

Respondents were asked how suitable they thought their current home would be in the future. Many respondents identified potential ways in which their home might become unsuitable for them.

Those respondents who had identified ways in which their house was not meeting their current needs, reiterated these issues when considering the future. This was true for both tenants and Right to Buy purchasers. For example families with young children who had to share bedrooms were often unhappy with this. They felt that the size of their house would become an even greater problem in the future. Generally these respondents thought they would move in the future. Their aspirations were to live in a property that would better meet their current priorities.

Purchasers of Right to Buy properties were generally positive about these aspirations and felt that they were achievable. For example, a purchaser of a Right to Buy property in Edinburgh predicted that they would be able to sell their current home and use the profits to purchase a larger house for their family.

Other respondents, often tenants, worried that their aspirations were unrealistic and some had not thought through how they would achieve them. For example a single mother, a tenant, described how she would like to get a good job, so that she could purchase a larger house. She shared a one-bedroom house with her toddler, however she said that she had "not really thought how I am going to get round that yet." (Tenant with preserved Right to Buy, rural Stirlingshire, Interview 21).

A few tenants, who had identified areas where their home was not meeting their aspirations, nevertheless, felt that their house was adequate and would remain so in the future. Although their house did not match their ideals, they did not see these ideals as essential requirements. For example, some wanted a garden, others dreamed of living in a more rural area. Generally these respondents did not think that they would change their housing situation in the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, when they were asked what they would like to do it the future, they talked about moving to properties that would match these "ideals". For example a woman in Glasgow described her rented flat as suitable. However she desired a garden and also felt that the area was a bit rough. When asked about her future plans, she described how she might purchase her home through Right to Buy. However, when asked what she would like to do in the future, she talked about the possibility of moving abroad with her partner.

A small number of respondents who were happy with their property felt that in the future this might not be the case. Generally these were older respondents who had purchased Right to Buy houses or flats with stairs. They predicted that as they got older, the stairs in their house may become a problem. Some described how they would purchase a bungalow, or a property without stairs if this happened. Nevertheless a few older respondents were very attached to their property, and wished to stay there until they died. They aspired to stay in their current home but acknowledged the fact that they might have to move.

Some tenants talked about future intentions to purchase their current home through Right to Buy. Other tenants were also considering Right to Buy. Sometimes, these seemed to be aspirations rather than future plans; they often talked about the need to become financially secure before purchasing through Right to Buy. As mentioned earlier a few tenants had previously applied to purchase their council property, however withdrew their application due to financing problems. Some of these felt that in the future they would like to reapply and purchase their property. Very few tenants talked about purchasing without referring to Right to Buy. One or two spoke of dreams of owning their own home, but these were very vague ideas. A small number of tenants who wished to move house talked about the possibility of getting a better council property.

Overall views of the impact of Right to Buy

Respondents were asked for their overall views about the impact of Right to Buy. They responded in various ways. Respondents expressed their overall view of Right to Buy in terms of the impact it has on individuals, communities and specific types of people. Respondents took into consideration impacts such as purchasing opportunities, neighbourhoods, housing stock and mobility when considering their overall view.

Often respondents who had exercised their Right to Buy talked about the impact purchasing a council property had had on individuals. They felt that for these people, Right to Buy was a "great scheme" that offered a stable, affordable home, a chance to buy a home for those who otherwise might not have had the opportunity. These respondents felt that this was something council tenants should take advantage of. One woman who purchased her council property in rural Perthshire said she "would urge every young family to do it". Some described Right to Buy as too good a financial opportunity to miss.

Some purchasers' views of Right to Buy took into account the impact it had on them. Almost all felt that exercising their Right to Buy had a positive impact. One woman from Edinburgh who sold her Right to Buy property, felt that exercising her Right to Buy was "probably the best decision I ever made". Some talked about the financial impact this had on them, although this was discussed in terms of security or as advancement on the property ladder, rather than financial gain.

Nevertheless, some balanced this view by considering the far reaching impacts of Right to Buy. These respondents seemed to be struggling with a feeling of doubt about the "rightness" of buying their council property. They felt that although Right to Buy had positive impacts on the individual, there were wider social impacts. A retired woman from Glasgow who purchased her flat felt that Right to Buy is a good thing "For selfish reasons, yes, but the bigger picture, no" (Right to Buy purchaser still in purchased home, Glasgow, Interview 31). They considered implications of the depletion of council housing stock, both in terms of other peoples' opportunities to rent and to buy. Indeed two purchasers felt forced into purchasing their property because of the lack of housing stock. They felt that Right to Buy had reduced opportunities to move between rented council properties. For them Right to Buy gave them a chance to move to more suitable housing. However if housing stocks had not been depleted by Right to Buy, they would have been able to move within rented council properties. A woman who purchased her flat in rural Stirlingshire explained "I know I'm being a hypocrite with buying… it's made me angry in some ways, we should never had had to go and do this to go this route." (Right to Buy purchaser still in purchased home, rural Stirlingshire, Interview 26).

Tenants with the preserved Right to Buy often had less formed views on Right to Buy. This may be due to their lack of knowledge, or their lack of interest in Right to Buy. However, some had formed clear views on Right to Buy. Two respondents explained that Right to Buy was good, as it offered individuals an investment opportunity. Once again, investment referred to financial security and inheritance rather than financial gain. Other tenants with the preserved Right to Buy took a balanced view, taking into account the effect on housing stocks. For example a young mother living in a flat in Aberdeen explained that she felt Right to Buy was good for individual and neighbourhoods, but was concerned about the impact on rental stock. She felt that many pensioners houses were being bought through Right to Buy, consequently pensioners struggled to rent suitable housing.

"That is the only thing that I have got against [Right to Buy] … accommodation for older people and should just be left [as rental flats]."
Tenant with preserved Right to Buy, Aberdeen, Interview 16.

Similarly, some tenants with the modernised Right to Buy felt that they could not form views on Right to Buy. Others had clear views of Right to Buy and their views were similar to respondents who had purchased through Right to Buy. Some viewed this as a positive scheme, with benefits for the individual. Others considered Right to Buy to be a mixed blessing. While they recognised the benefits for individuals who used the scheme, they also considered the impact on rental stocks and the knock-on effect this has for those dependent on council housing.

Respondents who had purchased an ex-Right to Buy property often had very strongly formed opinions of the scheme. Nevertheless, they had very mixed views; some viewed it very positively, others took a balanced view, whereas some had an overall negative view. When expressing a negative opinion about Right to Buy, this was generally in terms of the effect on the housing stock. One questioned the policy of Right to Buy. This retired woman in Inverness felt that the system was not to everyone's advantage, due to the finite number of council houses.

"To me the start of it was wrong. The whole thing of saying to local authorities you can sell off your housing stock, you can get the money, [but] you can't spend that money on building new houses. All that was wrong."
Purchaser of an ex-Right to Buy property, Inverness, Interview 28.

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