The first Conservative only Queen’s Speech in nearly two decades brings with it the news that the Conservative Government are to extend the Right to Buy Scheme. First introduced in the 1980’s, the scheme has allowed council house tenants to buy their properties at a discount and now the Conservative Government want to extend the scheme to 1.3 million housing association tenants as well. When the Housing Bill becomes law, as outlined in the Queens Speech, housing association tenants will acquire the same rights as council tenants to buy their properties at a discount.

7 May 2015 is a date that will be embedded upon the minds of many people who are looking to buy or sell property over the coming months, as housing pushes itself to the forefront of the main parties’ political manifestos.

A recent report by housing charity, Shelter showed that it will take more than a decade to save the 20% deposit typically required from aspiring homeowners. This figure is due to rising house prices, stagnant wages, high costs of living and tougher lending rules.