Vol. 534 No. 3
201 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will change the guidelines in relation to the valuation of local authority housing to ensure that where problems arise due to legal or financial complications, the period of time for revaluation is extended to two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10407/01]
The administration of the tenant purchase scheme in individual cases is a matter for each local authority, having regard to the relevant regulations and guidelines from my Department. Tenants wishing to buy their local authority house are provided, by the local authority, with a valuation and a sale price, which takes into account the relevant discounts. These terms stand for a maximum period of one year, during which time tenants who wish to purchase must agree in writing to proceed with the purchase. I consider this maximum one year period adequate to enable the tenant to make a decision on whether or not to purchase and I have no proposals to change it. However, in circumstances where a tenant has agreed in writing to proceed with the purchase on the basis of a sale price supplied by the local authority, but the process is delayed due to legal or other difficulties arising on the part of the authority, I consider that, in equity, this sale price should remain valid until the authority is in a position to complete the sale.
