The Housing Act of ‘80 isn’t something many are likely to be overly familiar with. Yet, throughout the ‘80s, it “acted” to polarise public opinion like few other policies; of which there were many riotously triggering ones.

The Act gave “council” tenants the Right to Buy (RTB) their homes at a discount to the market value.

Over time, the scheme saw over two million properties move from the public to the private sector. This transfer accelerated with the liberalisation of the UK lending market around ‘86; before which, Right to Buyers were required to present large deposits to obtain a mortgage. Whilst RTB monies received went to the Local Authority (LA) in which the sale occurred, it was decreed this had to be used to reduce debt and only once this had been cleared could any remaining funds be used to finance the building of new homes. Because the receipts from sales were not hypothecated for use in building new council homes, the RTB scheme became extremely unpopular amongst those who saw it as removing affordable housing at a time of great need. RTB supporters argued it was empowering and raised attitudes to civic responsibility.

If anything characterised Thatcherism, RTB was it.