Wrexham Council looks to increase its housing stock by buying back former council houses

Wrexham Council has begun increasing its social housing stock… by buying back former council houses.

So far one property, located in Pentre Maelor, has been repurchased by the council – however a further 26 are also in scope.

The Housing Wales Act (2014) gave Wrexham Council the chance to improve its housing stock through on-going Welsh Housing Quality Standards (WHQS) work, to build new social housing-which is underway– and to buy back properties.

In addition, since January of 2005, all council homes sold under Right to Buy are covered by Right of First Refusal Regulations, meaning owners have to give either the local authority, or another Registered Social Landlord, the right of first refusal to purchase their property, before they go on the open market.

Where certain conditions are met, this allows the local authority to buy back former council houses.

Now for the first time in its history, the local housing department’s has started buying back ex-council houses to help increase its stock and make sure there’s more social housing available.

Cllr David Griffiths, lead Member for housing, said: “We’ll always work hard to extend and improve our council housing stock, so we can be sure that we can provide a ready supply of affordable housing in the Wrexham area.

“Buying back properties is just one way we can achieve that, but I’d advise anyone who owns a former council property, bought from us in the last 10 years to get in touch with us.”

If you own an ex-council property and you’d like to offer it for sale, contact the council’s business support team on 01978 298993, or e-mail [email protected]