The Highland Council has announced that it will pilot a new open market purchase scheme to buy houses directly from owners in a bid to bolster its housing stock.

The scheme is being trialled in an effort to meet the need for additional affordable housing and provide new homes and futures in communities across the Highlands.

The Council is asking anyone considering selling a house to contact them and help make to make a difference to families who are in need of a home.


Chair of the Council's Housing and Property Committee, Councillor Laurie Fraser, stressed that the purchases would be in addition to the Council's policy of building new affordable housing.

He said: "There is a continuing need for good quality affordable housing across Highland, especially for three, four and five-bed properties and we welcome the opportunity to meet some of this need through purchase of individual properties."

The Council will consider purchasing properties across Highland which meet certain criteria including condition and value.

The Council will provide a valuation for any property of interest and will not require a Home Report nor for the property to be advertised.