House Buying Query....

whispywillow

Hiya everyone, im asking this question on behalf of one of my neighbours!

Basically here's the situation as she has explained it to me. She is in the process of buying her house from a social housing company whom she has been renting it from for years. She works and recieves child and working tax credits. The problem is this: she has to go into hospital for an major operation and so has taken time of work (and is recieving statuatory sick pay) - due to her being ill and not having enough money to cover the rent, she wants to apply for housing benefit for the time being till she goes back to work. Will this affect the house buying process?

poppysarah

How long will she be off work once she's had the op?


Has she arranged a mortgage?

whispywillow

I think she will be off for a good few months, at least 6 at a guess, she has to have some follow up operations.
I think she *may* have arranged a morgage, i never specifically asked that cos to be honest i dont have a clue about house buying or the questions to ask, but lets assume that she has! She said she was in the process of it, so if thats the case it would be number 1 priority for her yes? xx

Bubbabinks

Your neighbour will have to check with their landlord as it may vary.
In my area the social landlord will not let you purchase your property if you have been in arrears or claimed housing benefit within the last 12 months, because they need to be confident that you can afford/maintain a mortgage.

Errata

Presuming she's at the start of the purchase and hasn't exchanged, her best way forward may be to call a halt to the current proposed purchase, claim HB etc and start the purchase again from the beginning when she's in a sound finanacial position to do so.

whispywillow

Ok, i will let her know that info guys, thanks very much for your help xx