5  Property Eligibility

5.1 General

5.1.1 Not all properties owned by RSLs are subject to Social HomeBuy.  Eligible, Excluded and Exempt properties are set out below.

5.2 Eligible Properties

5.2.1 The Agency's policy position is that properties that would be ineligible for RTA/RTB may be eligible for SHB. For example properties funded by Grant prior to 1997 are ineligible for RTA but could be eligible for SHB. Please refer to SHB section 1.3.8 and 1.3.9

5.2.2  Properties excluded from the RTA are excluded from SHB - for example properties in designated rural areas or those let in connection with employment.

5.2.3  For details on ineligible and excluded properties see RTA Section 3

5.2.4  In addition, RSL can classify some properties as Exempt see section 5.4 below.

5.2.5 RSLs may offer SHB across all their stock (subject to mandatory exemptions above) or target properties for sale in particular locations, for example, where it wishes to introduce tenure mix on an estate. 

5.4  Exempt Properties 

5.4.1  In addition to the mandatory exclusions, the RSL may exempt other categories of properties. For examples follow the asterisk  
 

 

5.4.2  RSL’s must remember that they have the opportunity to exercise the right of first refusal in respect of future re-sales and therefore should limit the exercise of this exemption as far as possible. 
 
5.4.3   The RSL must draw up a published policy, (which has to be in place at the beginning of the sales and marketing programme) specifying a list of properties, or types of properties, that are excluded or exempted from the programme.
 
5.4.4  When drawing up their policy, the participating RSL should consult the local authorities in which it is proposing to offer SHB to its tenants. If no policy is in place by the start of the sales and marketing programme, it will be assumed that all properties in that local authority will be included in the programme, other than those covered by the mandatory exemptions.
 
5.4.5   This policy must be easily available to tenants and the RSL must be seen to be operating it on a fair and consistent basis. It would not be acceptable, for example, for the RSL to decide whether to sell on a case-by-case basis in response to demand from individual tenants.  
 
5.4.6  Once published, the policy must apply to the whole programme.  However, the RSL can vary the list of properties that it would wish to exempt from the programme during the programme period subject to the agreement of the Regional Investment Team. 
  
5.4.7  Where a tenant has received a formal offer, provided that the tenant responds within 8 weeks, and otherwise complies with the requirements of the programme, they must be allowed to complete the purchase even if the policy has changed and that property is now in an exempt category.