Right-to-buy plans leave private renters trapped

SIR – The plan to give housingassociation renters the right to buy (report, June 9) demonstrates how out of touch the Government is.

It has failed to understand that thousands of private renters, earning perfectly reasonable wages, are stuck in the private rental market due to over-inflated house prices, lack of affordable housing stock and the reluctance of banks to lend money – especially to the self-employed.

Selling social and housingassociation stock to renters will still leave this generation of middle earners trapped, and probably leave banks with a swathe of borrowers who cannot afford their payments without government (taxpayers’) support. Thomas Le Cocq

Batcombe, Somerset

SIR – My daughter, who is 25, is a dental nurse, and her partner is a firefighter.

They are unable to afford any property in the south of England, where they live and work (both are currently living with their parents).

They pay tax and National Insurance, and have never asked the Government for help. The succour given to those already supported by the benefits system is a bitter pill to swallow for people like them. Simon Crowley

Kemsing, Kent

SIR – There are many areas where buyers of second homes and holiday lets have pushed prices way beyond the means of local people.

Housing associations have provided an important source of affordable homes in these places, which has helped to preserve a community spirit.

If housing association tenants are given the right to buy, it is vitally important that the conditions proposed to maintain a supply of permanent residences are upheld. Shaun Whyte

Alnmouth, Northumberland