I had a senior politician (at that time) tell me that the real reason Mrs Thatcher wanted council houses sold was because of the very very small number of tenants who actually paid the rent. The councils were unable to collect the rent or enforce eviction because it is the council's legal responsibility to house anyone made homeless. The figures are unbelievable. At the time (before info requests were a thing) it was quite impossible to ascertain how much, as a percentage, of council rents were collected. I know because I didn't really believe this person so I tried to find out. It was not possible which rather supported the argument I think.
