Demolition notices

If the council is intending to demolish residential buildings or properties, demolition notices may be served on affected occupiers.

The sole purpose of a demolition notice is to either suspend or end a qualifying tenant's Right to Buy (RTB) claim. They do not affect homeowners who have already bought their homes.

Initial Demolition Notices (IDNs) suspend RTB claims and may be valid for up to seven years. The IDN will state;

• which properties are being demolished, when and why;
• the validity period of the notice;
• that RTB claims will be accepted and processed, but that completion will not occur unless the notice is no longer effective;
• that a Final Demolition Notice will end any existing RTB claim suspended by an IDN; and
• that compensation is payable for certain reasonable expenditure incurred in relation to an affected RTB claim and how to claim it.

Final Demolition Notices (FDNs) end any existing RTB claims and new RTB claims cannot be accepted while this notice is in force. They are valid for up to 24 months. An FDN may be served without an IDN having been served but where an IDN was served, the FDN will replace it. The FDN will state

• which properties are being demolished, when and why;
• the validity period of the notice;
• which of three conditions has been satisfied to allow the council to serve the FDN;
• that the Right to Buy does not arise while the notice is in force and existing RTB claims will cease;
• that compensation is payable for certain reasonable expenditure incurred in relation to an affected RTB claim and how to claim it.

Both Initial Demolition Notices and Final Demolition Notices can be extended at the discretion of the Secretary of State. If the council decides not to demolish buildings or properties affected by a demolition notice, a revocation notice will be served.