LOCALS, INCOMERS AND 2ND HOMES - THE ROLE OF RESOLD PUBLIC-SECTOR DWELLINGS IN RURAL SCOTLAND

Privatization of public rental housing has been a key element of Gover nment housing policy in Britain since 1979, and the longer term conseq uences are now becoming apparent. In particular the role that the form er public rental dwellings plays in the housing market on resale is be coming clearer. This article examines resales in rural Scotland and co ncludes that the dwellings are not being used as second homes or retir ement homes and that most are being bought by locals on moderate incom es. Most incoming buyers, however, are elderly with property to sell a nd they can outbid local buyers. The dwellings will not be meeting the housing needs of the poorest households, however, as they are no long er available to rent. In the absence of new rented housing to replace dwellings lost to the rented sector through the Right-to-Buy, the hous ing choices of some of those who need to rent may have been seriously diminished.