TOUGH new rules could be introduced to end the abuse of the "right to buy" council houses in property hotspots.

City of York Council, which has a shortage of affordable homes, missed out on a scheme to limit the discount available to tenants who want to buy their house at a reduced cost.

But proposals have been included in the Government's draft Housing Bill to make other key changes to the scheme, which was introduced by former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

The minimum period tenants have to live in a council house to qualify for the "right to buy" is to be extended from two years to five years.

Also, the period during which a tenant has to repay cash to the council if the home is later sold on is to be extended from three years to five years.

The move was today welcomed by MPs. They said the changes would tackle the problem of property developers who have been contacting council tenants and urging them to exercise their right to buy.

They then offer to pay the tenant substantially more money to sell the property on, before putting it on the market themselves for an even higher price.

This has led to a reduction in the amount of social housing which is available for low-income families.

Housing groups and York MP Hugh Bayley have still not abandoned hope of York being added to the list of areas which can limit the discount available under the "right to buy".

The city's situation was not considered severe enough to be included in the first list of 41 local authorities allowed to cut up to £22,000 from a tenant's saving. But new research has since been unearthed which shows York's problems are unique in the north of England. Mr Bayley said he hoped this could see the council added to the scheme. He said City of York Council was losing homes under the "right to buy" at a rate of 170 properties per year.

Updated: 10:38 Wednesday, July 23, 2003