Member

I turn to Clause 7, which is opposed by the noble Baroness, Lady Bennett. As part of our reforms to right to buy, we have looked at the current exceptions to the scheme under which specified types of property cannot be sold. As with our overall approach to the reforms, this is necessary to ensure that the scheme remains fair and sustainable, that councils are able to replace the homes that are sold, and that councils have the confidence to build new social homes. Under the scheme, exceptions already include homes suitable for occupation by the elderly, sheltered housing and homes due to be demolished. Of the respondents to our consultation, 76% agreed that the existing exceptions should be retained. The clause makes a small change to amend outdated terminology in the current exemption for dwellings for persons of pensionable age to update the reference to resident or non-resident “warden” to resident or non-resident “manager”.