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https://github.com/bbc-data-unit/right-to-buy

Right to Buy homes re-sold since 2000 made £6.4bn in profit
https://github.com/bbc-data-unit/right-to-buy

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Right to Buy homes re-sold since 2000 made £6.4bn in profit

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# Right to Buy homes re-sold since 2000 made £6.4bn in profit



![](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/D833/production/_90574355_mediaitem90574354.jpg)



In March 2019 the BBC Shared Data Unit [reported](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47443183) on the impact of the Right to Buy policy under which former social housing tenants were allowed to buy their home at a discount, the size of which depended how long they had lived there.



We sourced and analysed data from HM Land Registry, the Registers of Scotland and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.  Data for 92,000 sales was published in Freedom of Information responses.



The investigation found homes in Britain bought under the scheme had been sold on for £6.4bn in collective profit since 2000.



In England and Wales

* Between 2000 and 2018, some 53,000 homeowners made £5bn in profit, or £4.3bn in real terms.  Around one in 20 made a loss in real terms.

* The average time people kept their RtB home before selling it on was seven-and-a-half years

* 139 ex-council tenants in Great Britain bought and resold their homes within one month, creating a £2.8m collective profit 



In Scotland

* Homeowners from 39,000 sales we analysed made £2.3bn in profit or £2.05bn in real terms.  Some one in 50 sellers made a real terms loss

* The average time someone kept their RtB home before selling it on was around five years and eight months

* Seventeen people bought and sold their RtB house within one week, three of those did so on the same day - one at a £60,700 mark-up 



In Northern Ireland

* Northern Ireland does not record sales prices.  Between 1982 and 2018, some 120,950 former social homes were sold including 500 homes with five or more bedrooms



Opponents of the scheme said too many people had profited from a policy that had "much bigger social ambitions", and it had led to a reduction in social housing stock.



Supporters said Right to Buy had allowed people the chance to climb the housing ladder and secure their families' financial future. 



The Shared Data Unit makes data journalism available to news organisations across the media industry, as part of a partnership between the BBC and the News Media Association. Stories generated by the partnership included:



* iNews: [Right to Buy owners have flipped houses for £6.4 billion profit since 2000](https://inews.co.uk/news/right-to-buy-flipped-houses-six-billion-2000/) *14 March 2019*

* The Scotsman: [Revealed: Scots profit from council house sell-offs](https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/revealed-scots-profit-from-council-house-sell-offs-1-4889145) *14 March 2019*

* Northumberland: The Chronicle [Seven former council houses bought under Right to Buy sold on for over £100k profit](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/seven-former-council-houses-bought-15966528) *14 March 2019*

* Scotland: The Herald: [Scots rake in £2 billion from sale of former Right to Buy homes](https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17498896.scots-rake-in-2-billion-from-sale-of-former-right-to-buy-homes/) *14 March 2019*

* Wales: The Daily Post: [Margaret Thatcher's Right to Buy saw homeowner make £200K on council home - while hundreds of others cashed in](https://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/margaret-thatchers-right-buy-saw-15942995) *14 March 2019*

* Aberdeen: Evening Express: [North-east council homes sold under right-to-buy go on to make £192 million profit](https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/north-east-council-homes-sold-under-right-to-buy-go-on-to-make-192-million-profit/) *14 March 2019*

* Eastern Daily Press: [From £9,000 to £125,000 in 67 days - Norfolk’s council house sale profits revealed](https://www.edp24.co.uk/business/norfolk-suffolk-right-to-buy-council-house-sale-profits-1-5937154) *14 March 2019*

* York: The Press: [£46k average profit from selling a council house in York](https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/17498114.46k-average-profit-from-selling-a-council-house-in-york/) *14 March 2019*

* Hereford Times: [Revealed, big profits Herefordshire folk made on their council houses](https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/17498931.revealed-the-big-profits-herefordshire-people-made-on-their-council-houses/) *14 March 2019*

* Bradford: The Telegraph & Argus: [Right to Buy scheme profit revealed](https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/17498021.right-to-buy-scheme-profit-revealed/) *14 March 2019*

* Isle of Wight County Press: [Isle of Wight tenants re-selling their council homes make more than £2.6 million profit](https://www.countypress.co.uk/news/17500662.isle-of-wight-tenants-re-selling-their-council-homes-make-more-than-26-million-profit/?ref=twtrec) *14 March 2019*

* Flintshire: The Leader: [Ex-council tenants in Wrexham and Flintshire make average £30,000 profit selling their homes](https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/17500629.ex-council-tenants-in-wrexham-and-flintshire-make-average-30000-profit-selling-their-homes/) *14 March 2019*

* Essex: The Gazette: [Right to Buy: Resale profits average £62,000 in Essex](https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/17498344.right-to-buy-resale-profits-average-62000-in-essex/) *14 March 2019*

* Chelmsford Weekly News: [Comment: We need homes people can afford](https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/17501219.comment-we-need-homes-people-can-afford/) *14 March 2019*

* Wrexham.com: [£30k average gain on Right to Buy homes in Wrexham](http://www.wrexham.com/news/30k-average-gain-on-right-to-buy-homes-in-wrexham-165251.html) *14 March 2019*

* Edinburgh Evening News: [‘Devastating impact’ on Edinburgh as 2,000 council homes resold in past 19 years](https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/politics/devastating-impact-on-edinburgh-as-2-000-council-homes-resold-in-past-19-years-1-4889074https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/politics/devastating-impact-on-edinburgh-as-2-000-council-homes-resold-in-past-19-years-1-4889074) *14 March 2019*

* Isle of Wight: On The Wight: [More than £2.6m profit made by tenants selling council homes](https://onthewight.com/more-than-2-6m-profit-made-by-tenants-selling-council-homes/) *14 March 2019*

* Essex: The Clacton and Frinton Gazette: [Right to Buy: Resale profits average £62,000 in Essex](https://www.clactonandfrintongazette.co.uk/news/17498344.right-to-buy-resale-profits-average-62000-in-essex/) *14 March 2019*

* Brentwood Live: [Right to Buy: Resale profits average £62,000 in Essex](https://www.brentwoodlive.co.uk/news/17498344.right-to-buy-resale-profits-average-62000-in-essex/) *14 March 2019*

* Stoke Sentinel: [172 ex-council homes sold for combined profit of £3.5 million over last three years (and one house netted the owner £242k)](https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/172-ex-council-homes-sold-2640640) *14 March 2019*

* Nottingham Post: ['Right To Buy scheme discounts are too high - and it's leaving us short of council houses'](https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/right-buy-scheme-discounts-high-2631452) *14 March 2019*

* Flintshire: Deeside.com [People selling homes bought under Right to Buy scheme in Flintshire made nearly £30k on average.](http://www.deeside.com/people-selling-homes-bought-under-right-to-buy-scheme-in-flintshire-made-nearly-30k-on-average/) *14 March 2019*

* Stourbridge News: [Ex-Dudley Council tenant sold Right to Buy home for double the price after five months](https://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/17501834.ex-dudley-council-tenant-sold-right-to-buy-home-for-double-the-price-after-five-months/) *14 March 2019*

* Dudley News: [Ex-Dudley Council tenant sold Right to Buy home for double the price after five months](https://www.dudleynews.co.uk/news/17501834.ex-dudley-council-tenant-sold-right-to-buy-home-for-double-the-price-after-five-months/) *14 March 2019* 

* Halesowen News: [Ex-Dudley Council tenant sold Right to Buy home for double the price after five months](https://www.halesowennews.co.uk/news/17501834.ex-dudley-council-tenant-sold-right-to-buy-home-for-double-the-price-after-five-months/) *14 March 2019*

* Diss Mercury: [From £9,000 to £125,000 in 67 days - Norfolk’s council house sale profits revealed](https://www.dissmercury.co.uk/news/norfolk-suffolk-right-to-buy-council-house-sale-profits-1-5937154) *14 March 2019*

* Surrey Live: [Right to Buy homes in Surrey being sold for as much as £1m, figures reveal](https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/right-buy-homes-surrey-being-15957725) *14 March 2019*

* Portsmouth: The News: [New research shows how right-to-buy scheme has crippled Britain’s affordable housing stock](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/politics/new-research-shows-how-right-to-buy-scheme-has-crippled-britain-s-affordable-housing-stock-1-8848786) *14 March 2019*

* Blackpool: The Gazette: [Figures reveal profit made on Fylde coast ‘Right to Buy’ houses](https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/figures-reveal-profit-made-on-fylde-coast-right-to-buy-houses-1-9649920) *14 March 2019*

* Southwark News: [EX-SOUTHWARK COUNCIL TENANTS MAKE £350M IN RIGHT TO BUY PROFITS SINCE 2000, ANALYSIS FINDS](https://www.southwarknews.co.uk/news/right-to-buy-southwark-profit-council-homes/) *14 March 2019*

* Whitchurch Herald: [£50k profit on Right to Buy homes in Shropshire](https://www.whitchurchherald.co.uk/news/17501737.50k-profit-on-right-to-buy-homes-in-shropshire/) *14 March 2019*

* Berwick Advertiser: [Data reveals profits made on former council houses](https://www.berwick-advertiser.co.uk/news/data-reveals-profits-made-on-former-council-houses-1-4888817) *14 March 2019*

* Northumberland Gazette: [Data reveals profits made on former council houses](https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/data-reveals-profits-made-on-former-council-houses-1-9648430) *14 March 2019*

* 853London: [Ex-Greenwich Council tenants have made £72m in Right to Buy profits since 2000](https://853london.com/2019/03/14/ex-greenwich-council-tenants-have-made-72m-in-right-to-buy-profits-since-2000/) *14 March 2019*

* Northampton Chronicle: [Former social housing tenants in Northampton made up to £148k in profit by selling on their council house](https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/former-social-housing-tenants-in-northampton-made-up-to-148k-in-profit-by-selling-on-their-council-house-1-8851000) *15 March 2019*

* Hillingdon & Uxbridge Times: [£36000 Profit In A Day - Right to Buy's Biggest Winners Revealed](https://www.hillingdontimes.co.uk/news/17492809.36000-profit-in-a-day-right-to-buys-biggest-winners-revealed/) *12 March 2019*

* Borehamwood Times: [£36000 Profit In A Day - Right to Buy's Biggest Winners Revealed](https://www.borehamwoodtimes.co.uk/news/17492812.36000-profit-in-a-day-right-to-buys-biggest-winners-revealed/) *12 March 2019*

* Harwich and Manningtree Standard *14 March 2019*

* ITV Central *14 March 2019*

* Coventry Live: [Council house tenants clean up selling homes they bought at a discount](https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/council-house-tenants-clean-up-15991325) *18 March 2019*

* Basildon Echo: [Right to Buy homes across south Essex are being sold on for £50k profit](https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/17509016.right-to-buy-homes-across-south-essex-are-being-sold-on-for-50k-profit/) *18 March 2019*

* Clacton Gazette: [Right to Buy under scrutiny in Tendring](https://www.clactonandfrintongazette.co.uk/news/17501753.right-to-buy-under-scrutiny-in-tendring/) *20 March 2019*

* Derbyshire Times: [How Derbyshire ‘Right to Buy’ homeowners ‘raked in thousands’ with quick sales](https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/news/politics/how-derbyshire-right-to-buy-homeowners-raked-in-thousands-with-quick-sales-1-9662735) *20 March 2019* 

* Welwyn Hatfield Times: [Revealed: the millions in private profit made on Welwyn Hatfield and Hertsmere’s right-to-buy homes](https://www.whtimes.co.uk/news/right-to-buy-profits-in-welwyn-hatfield-and-hertsmere-1-5950385) *21 March 2019*

* Bury Times: [SPECIAL REPORT: Bury resident makes thousands with Right to Buy scheme](https://www.burytimes.co.uk/news/17518913.special-report-bury-resident-makes-thousands-with-right-to-buy-scheme/) *22 March 2019*

* Lancashire Telegraph: [SPECIAL REPORT: How does Right to Buy work?](https://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/news/17518918.special-report-how-does-right-to-buy-work/) *22 March 2019*

* The Bolton News: [SPECIAL REPORT: Chartered Institute of Housing calls to suspend Right to Buy](https://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/news/17518939.special-report-chartered-institute-of-housing-calls-to-suspend-right-to-buy/) *22 March 2019*

* Scotland: Strathspey Herald: [Tories’ right to buy a ‘taxpayer disaster’, says finance expert](https://www.strathspey-herald.co.uk/news/tories-right-to-buy-a-taxpayer-disaster-says-finance-expert-175962/) *22 March 2019*

* Newham Recorder: [Mayor slams “dangerous” right to buy as extent of council house sell-ons revealed](https://www.newhamrecorder.co.uk/news/newham-council-right-to-buy-resales-1-5956677) *26 March 2019*

* Ham & High: [Revealed: North London’s billion-pound sell-off of right to buy properties](https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/north-london-right-to-buy-resales-1-5956894) *26 March 2019*

* Hackney Gazette: [Hackney Council slams ‘dysfunctional’ Right to Buy as former tenants pocket £482m profit from selling homes on](https://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/hackney-council-right-to-buy-resales-1-5956977) *26 March 2019*

* Ilford Recorder: [Right to buy: Former social housing in Redbridge sold off for tens of millions of pounds](https://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/redbridge-council-right-to-buy-resales-1-5958547) *26 March 2019*

* Islington Gazette: [Call for right-to-buy overhaul as social housing in Islington re-sold for millions of pounds](https://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/politics/islington-council-right-to-buy-resales-1-5956921) *26 March 2019*

* Romford Recorder: [Right to buy: How hundreds of ex-council houses were sold on for millions of pounds](https://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/news/politics/havering-council-right-to-buy-resales-1-5957021) *26 March 2019*

* The Docklands & East London Advertiser: [Right to buy: ‘Massive windfalls’ earned by ex-tenants as former social housing sold on for millions of pounds](https://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/tower-hamlets-right-to-buy-resales-1-5956778) *26 March 2019*

* The Brent & Kilburn Times: [Editor’s comment: Right to buy? I’m not sure it is](https://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/right-to-buy-editor-s-comment-family-silver-1-5958698) *26 March 2019*

* Leeds Live: [A Leeds council house was 'flipped' just 7 days after being sold](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/news/leeds-news/leeds-council-house-flipped-just-16034532) *28 March 2019*

* Ludlow Advertiser: [Ex-council tenants in Redditch sell Right to Buy homes for massive profit](https://www.ludlowadvertiser.co.uk/news/regional/17547391.ex-council-tenants-in-redditch-sell-right-to-buy-homes-for-massive-profit/) *3 April 2019*

* Rochdale News: [Cheapest Rochdale council house sold for just £14 under Right to Buy policy](https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/127085/cheapest-rochdale-council-house-sold-for-just-%C2%A314-under-right-to-buy-policy) *4 April 2019*



Non-partner coverage:



* The Times: [Right to Buy owners made £6.4bn by reselling homes](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/right-to-buy-owners-made-6-4bn-by-reselling-homes-l6xxr76mn) *15 March 2019*

* Inside Housing: [Morning Briefing: £6.4bn in Right to Buy resale profit](https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/morning-briefing-64bn-in-right-to-buy-resale-profit-60624) *14 March 2019*

* Property Road: [Right To Buy Delivered £6.4bn Profit Since 2000](https://www.propertyroad.co.uk/right-to-buy-delivered-profit/) *14 March 2019*

* Scottish Housing News: [Scottish council homes sold for £2bn profit under Right to Buy](https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/article/scottish-council-homes-sold-for-2bn-profit-under-right-to-buy) *14 March 2019*

* [LGiU Daily News Bulletin](https://twitter.com/LGiU_Daily_News/status/1106455060798672896) *15 March 2019* 

* tutor2u: [Distributional effects of the Right to Buy Scheme](https://www.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/distributional-effects-of-the-right-to-buy-scheme) *14 March 2019*

* Skint Dad: [Right to Buy Homes Being Resold Quickly for Huge Profit](https://skintdad.co.uk/right-to-buy-sold-profit/) *14 March 2019*

* reddit: [A former council tenant bought their home under Right to Buy for £8,000 and sold it on for £285,000 nine days later - a £277,000 profit, the BBC found](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukpolitics/comments/b0xbee/a_former_council_tenant_bought_their_home_under/) *14 March 2019*

* 24housing: [Re-sold Right To Buy homes make £6.4bn in profit](https://www.24housing.co.uk/news/re-sold-right-to-buy-homes-make-6-4bn-in-profit-since-2000/) *14 March 2019*



The story was also used by the [BBC News Channel](https://drive.google.com/open?id=1J8hc0dvnaRbSNphk3I0SHtiWO0E-uwrQ), Midlands Today, BBC Radio London, BBC Good Morning Ulster, BBC Radio Bristol, BBC Radio Cornwall, BBC Somerset, BBC Radio Shropshire, BBC Radio Kent, BBC WM 



## Get the data



* [For England and Wales](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Zn9NeCMIOwl6HuqdhwfxWCj_OkZ4RP2AlRCfgN2ZJS8/edit?usp=sharing)

* [For Scotland](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11twlEuKTyiG65gJ5lXPqMgLH-i2tUw2La4lw_Zp_WAQ/edit?usp=sharing)

* [For Northern Ireland](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13Sao1zwb2G_MH7GUxAD3A4yVUnFTMdm4I_adiYnNrkc/edit?usp=sharing)



## Visualisation



* Interactive Carto Map: Profits made per day on ex-council homes across Britain

* Bar chart: The difference in profits on resold council homes



## Background and briefing



* [Project briefing](https://docs.google.com/document/d/18_VqDynYqC_gwfNpVUAyKz0UGvXeSFKdcoAfozaf-ko/edit?usp=sharing)