Selling off council homes

There's nothing wrong with 'right to buy' it's a great idea, but the money raised should be used to build new social housing.

I am proud that I have done so. It is a major achievement for me. I could not afford to buy a private sector house ... that's how it is to many ex council house owners

Ethel I've heard lots of people on the Council estate where I live say similar. (We bought our house in a private sale 10 years ago).

You can hardly tell the difference between Council or privately owned houses here too.

So I am always a bit puzzled that to some people it was a dreadful thing, the "right to buy" scheme.

I bought my council house its a struggle as I live alone, but I am proud that I have done so. It is a major achievement for me. I could not afford to buy a private sector house so I did the best I could. I can say 'I did it myself'. That's how it is to many ex council house owners. The councils should be allowed to build more homes with the revenue from the sale of the houses.
If you look around estates you will see over the last 30 or so years that council estates have become much more tidy, its almost impossible to tell which are council estates and which are private in some cases. Whereas before renters did not care and dumped old car engines etc in the gardens, you hardly ever see that now.
To get back to the OP, houses become vacant when tenants die/move into care/divorce etc. they sometimes move into private rented homes.
There are several homes near where I live that are empty for over 2 years, they advertise bungalows as they have a glut. So there are often homes available for rent.