MP proposes confining property sales to local people (From Harrow Times)

Gareth Thomas MP introduces housing reform Bill to House of Commons

2:16pm Wednesday 30th January 2013 in News By Emma Innes

The MP for Harrow West has introduced a Bill to the House of Commons which would reform the housing market.

Gareth Thomas today proposed that clauses restricting the sale of ex-social housing to those who live and work in an area should be extended to London.

Currently, local authorities in National Parks can limit the sale of former social housing to those who have lived or worked in the area for at least three years.

This has reduced prices by between five and 30 per cent making housing more affordable for local people.

In parliament today Mr Thomas highlighted the difficulty people living in London have getting on to the property ladder and suggested that adopting a similar scheme here might provide a solution.

Mr Thomas said: “We need to reform the housing market by amending the Right to Buy rules to boost the chances of hard working local people getting on the property ladder.

“Extending local occupancy clauses, boosting co-op housing and changing the incentives so land for housing which developers are just sitting on is brought forward for affordable housing will all help hard working people who’re not rich, wanting their own home, get on the property ladder.”