two London boroughs are fighting over the controversial policy of allowing council tenants to buy their homes.
Camden, in north London, is worried that too many tenants are abusing the right to buy, but Wandsworth, in the south-west, feels this view is a misguided attempt to kill off the policy.

Camden council leader Jane Roberts is so concerned by the siphoning-off of up to 760 council homes each year that she has written to deputy prime minister John Prescott about the rapid decline in the number of affordable homes on the market.

Roberts is worried at the increase in council tenants being encouraged by unscrupulous property companies to exercise their right to buy. These firms offer tenants bonus sums of up to £15,000 to sell them their homes, which are then re-sold at a huge profit on the open market to people desperate to get on the capital's housing ladder.

But Edward Lister, the leader of Wandsworth council, attacked councils such as Camden for their concerns. He said: "There have always been boroughs who have resented help being given to tenants to become homeowners. This latest campaign shows just how serious they are about killing off the right to buy."

Lister also believes that the Association of London Government is opposed to the right to buy and has written to the the body asking for an explanation. The ALG is currently researching abuses of the right to buy in response to approaches from councils, such as Camden, that are concerned about a rapid rise in housing demand.

  • It is understood that housing minister Lord Rooker is considering placing the onus for policing the system on local authorities, but this row is worrying evidence of the tensions such a policy could create.

    Lord Rooker has authorised Heriot-Watt University to conduct a review of right-to-buy abuses but has denied the policy is to be scrapped or suspended. Ending the policy outright would be a major vote-loser.

    The government review of right-to-buy abuses is due for completion in November.