Buying a council house?

Nathan

Nathan

Nathan

Soldato
Joined
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West Midlands
Now, I think this is going to sound a little dodgy :D

My parents neighbour has lived in her council house house for over 40 years and was the other day saying she is planning on moving to a single story property.

I know buying houses from the council can be cheap, noted especially as this house is worth in excess of £250,000.

Is it possible for me to buy her house through her from the council? Have it underwritten in a contract somewhere? If this happens, I plan to let her live their rent free untill she finds a bungalo.

To add, she is quite a trustworthy person in my eyes.
 
possibly yes. councils tend to allow the people living in them a chance to buy them out (at a reduction of its normal value) if they can afford it... your situation however is different and theyre more inclined to say no because you stand to gain a lot more and possibly a quick profit if you so choose.

the only way to find out is to ask them im afraid.
 
Phantom said:
possibly yes. councils tend to allow the people living in them a chance to buy them out (at a reduction of its normal value) if they can afford it... your situation however is different and theyre more inclined to say no because you stand to gain a lot more and possibly a quick profit if you so choose.

the only way to find out is to ask them im afraid.
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I feel the council would not be happy about it yes, but do they need to know?
 
cheets64 said:
This is whats wrong with the UK housing market, people buying just for profit. :mad:
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Whats wrong with this forum with people jumping to conclusions? :mad:

I might want to live thier?
 
I'm not sure about the legal complexities of the matter but the council set the price of a house in accordance with how long you've been resident, so I think they will cover themselves in the situation you describe.

The best thing to do would be get the advice of a property lawyer, they may be able to find a loophole for you.
 
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She probably has the right to buy. Remember that some parts of England restrict the discount; for instance, London only gives a max os £16000 I think.

If the property is sold or repossessed within 5 years, a % of the discount has to be returned too.
 
singist said:
She probably has the right to buy. Remember that some parts of England restrict the discount; for instance, London only gives a max os £16000 I think.

If the property is sold or repossessed within 5 years, a % of the discount has to be returned too.
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ooo im liking the sound of this. Thing is my parents bought their house from the council 15 years ago for 30k, its now worth 300k :) I ll have to do some research.

Im sure there are some legal heads on here though.
 
I wouldn't say you have any moral right to own the house, put it that way. Once your mother no longer has a need for it, the council should be able to let it to someone on the waiting list who is deserving of it (in theory). You do not deserve to get it.
 
cheets64 said:
My local council have stopped people from buying coucil houses.
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About time. I'm sick of all the spongers round here being given houses for next to nothing and me working hard and not being able to afford one.
 
dirtydog said:
I wouldn't say you have any moral right to own the house, put it that way. Once your mother no longer has a need for it, the council should be able to let it to someone on the waiting list who is deserving of it (in theory). You do not deserve to get it.
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You shouldn't worry about it. As I said, the council offers a discount on the condition you've been resident in the property (and hence paying rent) for a certain number of year, the longer the residency the greater the discount, obviously.

Unless there's a loophole he can exploit, and I seriously doubt there is, he won't be able to buy it at any discount.
 
The way to do this legally is to move in with her and get put on the rent book.
Once on the rent book after a period of 2 years you have as much rights as her. Then you both buy the property job done.
My info is a little dated but i am sure that if i am wrong someone will point it out. ;)
 
Its about time this sort of thing is stopped as its a disgrace. Council houses tend (although anyone can rent one in theory) to be rented to people that fall on bad times. If the person is no longer having problems, then they should make way for someone else that is in need and not be able to buy the property at a rediculously discounted price.
 
Tru said:
You shouldn't worry about it. As I said, the council offers a discount on the condition you've been resident in the property (and hence paying rent) for a certain number of year, the longer the residency the greater the discount, obviously.

Unless there's a loophole he can exploit, and I seriously doubt there is, he won't be able to buy it at any discount.
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I'm sure you're right :)

Personally I would like to see the sale of council houses stopped across the whole country, I totally disagree with the taxpayer subsidising a lucky few people's house purchases, when everyone else has to pay the full market price. They are fortunate enough to have very cheap subsidised rent in the first place which is half what they'd pay if they rented off a private landlord.
 
normally you can't sell within a certain period without repaying some or all of the discount

obviously if the new house they are looking to move into was a council one then that would rule out buying the exisiting one
 
Rotty said:
normally you can't sell within a certain period without repaying some or all of the discount

obviously if the new house they are looking to move into was a council one then that would rule out buying the exisiting one
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2 Years AFAIK.

They are moving to a care home so that wouldnt be a problem within the next couple of years. So, its time for me to "move in" on the rent book :D
 
You better hope the council don't insist you 'consummate' the tenency before you can buy the house. :eek:
 
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