Yes, the right to buy (RTB) can be abused by unscrupulous tenants and investment companies. So, John Prescott is to restrict RTB in housing "hot-spots" or possibly consider its abolishment.

Where does this leave existing RTB lessees? They often suffer a different form of abuse - landlord abuse. With the acceleration of the privatisation of council housing stock, the significance of RTB on the provision of social housing is being lost. The clock cannot be wound back.

Flat "owners" do not enjoy genuine ownership of their properties. They are granted the right to buy a lease.

This means they remain tenants, subject to their landlord's performance in maintaining their dwellings.

During the lifetime of a building, their share of maintenance costs often runs into tens of thousands of pounds. Where poor management results in poor value, the lessees' final recourse is expensive and stressful litigation in the face of landlord denial.

It is not uncommon for such cases to involve current disrepair. Of course, everyone is a loser.

Mr Prescott's eye is not on the ball - it is labelled R for reform of public services, not RTB. If genuine best value in housing were to be delivered, everyone would enjoy lasting benefits, including the taxpayer.

-Nick Green, Chairman, Brighton and Hove Council Leaseholders' Independent Forum