Right to transfer for local authority tenants
The coalition agreement published on 20 May 2010 outlined plans to promote devolution and give communities greater powers to shape local developments and local services. A range of ‘community rights’ were subsequently enshrined in law by the Localism Act which was given Royal Assent on 15 November 2011.
The Housing (Right to Transfer from a local authority landlord)(England) regulations came into force in December 2013. The regulations give local authority tenants a statutory right to initiate a transfer to a new private-registered provider of social housing and require the local authority to co-operate.
The transfer can only go ahead if a majority of secure and introductory tenants vote in favour, and if the Secretary of State grants consent. The local authority may ask the Secretary of State to halt the proposal if it would have a significant detrimental effect on their ability to deliver housing services or regeneration within the local area. This 'get out' for local authorities is seen by some to significantly weaken the initiative.
Where a transfer proves to be favoured and viable, the Regulations require that the local authority starts the process of transferring ownership of those homes.
The then housing minister Mark Prisk said: ‘The new right to transfer is a win-win offer for tenants, giving them the chance to decide who owns and manages the homes they live in... I want to see tenants making full use of the rights at their disposal, and councils standing ready to work with them to maximise any deal’s potential to meet local housing need.’
Funding was made available to provide debt write-off and early redemption cover for transfers.
In March 2016, the government published an interactive map showing the location of community rights projects.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Asset of community value.
- Community right to bid.
- Community right to build.
- Community right to challenge.
- Community right to reclaim land.
- Community rights.
- Community shares.
- Localism act.
- National planning policy framework.
- Neighbourhood planning.
- Our place.
- Right to contest.
- Right to regenerate.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.