Home for sale - but not to landlords

A social landlord is selling a home on the open market but says it should go only to a first time buyer or local resident - and not to a private landlord or holiday home purchaser.

The Hebridean Housing Partnership has stated on the property particulars that the £100,000 house, located on a small Scottish island, would “not be available” to those seeking a holiday or second home, with priority given to first time buyers and local residents.

Dena Macleod, chief executive of HHP, says the move is in recognition of an apparent housing crisis on many islands.

Macleod, quoted in The Scotsman newspaper, says: "We discussed the property with the council and agreed the sale presented an opportunity to offer it to first time buyers and contribute to the work being done locally to stem population decline. If this action can help one local young person in getting a foot on the ladder and to get a house of their own, it is a positive step.”

There is uncertainty as to whether the provision would stand up in court. 

However, a Scottish National Party member of the Scottish Parliament, Alasdair Allan, is quoted as saying: “HHP are to be commended for listening to their concerns and putting restrictions in place for this sale. I hope such restrictions can be more widely utilised in future.

“Over the past few years, young people have increasingly struggled to get onto the island housing market. Property prices have surged but younger islanders don’t have the economic power to keep up. 

“More and more properties are becoming AirBnBs or second homes at the same time we’re trying to tackle depopulation. It’s not a sustainable situation if we want the islands to keep having communities instead of holiday villages.”

Here is the full story from The Scoitsman.

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