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Background
The last quarter of a century has seen a significant change in housing tenure. In 1981, less than 40% of dwelling stock was owner occupied. By 2008, this had risen to over 60% (Chart 1). Although there has been a similar pattern of change across much of Europe, the change has been particularly dramatic in Scotland.
Mirroring changes in cultural attitudes toward home ownership, two structural factors have contributed to this shift: the introduction of the right to buy for public authority tenants in 1979 coupled with the decline of public authority new build, and the increased contribution of private sector house building.
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