Which of the options, offered in the discussion paper A Single Social Housing Tenancy for Scotland; Rights Responsibilities and Obligations…

As we made clear in the discussion paper, our priority is to secure common rights, based on the single social tenancy, for all tenants provided that this does not prejudice the viability of landlords. In the light of representations that the financial wellbeing of individual housing associations could be adversely affected if their existing assured tenants were all given the right to buy at once (the "big bang" approach), we are considering whether, and if so in what precise financial circumstances, housing associations might be given the ability to opt out of the right to buy element of the single social tenancy for a specified period, in respect of properties occupied by assured tenants who do not have the right to buy.We are also continuing with consultations on further exemptions from the right to buy for houses built for persons with special needs. There is a strong case for exempting sales of individual houses where this would undermine the integrity of a group of houses specifically provided for persons with particular needs. We are, therefore, considering the possibility of exempting not only sheltered housing schemes with a warden service and call system but also other forms of group homes with support provided and groups of houses specifically provided for elderly persons.We will be discussing these possible courses of action with key housing interests and an announcement on the outcome will be made when these discussions and our consultations have been completed.