Buying ex-Local Authority flat

Errata

I agree with Clapton. Service charges can be high, and also the cost of major works. There is also the problem that even if all the flats are privately owned some may be let out by BTL LL's and good neighbours can't be guaranteed unfortunately.
I would have thought a small 2bed terraced would have been more suitable both in terms of maintenance/repairs and your son's ongoing peace of min, enjoyment of private outside space etc.
I've no idea which are good and bad areas in W'hampton, but there seem to be plent of 2beds below the price of the flats you've linked to.

££sc££

Whilst the service charges may be currently reasonable, they can change drastically from year to year depending on what repairs/works are carried out. For example, if after moving in the roof needs replacing, the leaseholder would need to pay 1/6th (or however many flats there are in the block) of the cost, which could be mega money. So speaking to the council now to determine level of service charge might not be that helpful

However, don't let that put you off. Just make sure that your son's solicitors ask the council what works are anticipated over next 5 years or so. Whilst other things will crop up that the council can't anticipate it should give you a good idea. There may also be a sinking fund/provision fund. This is where the council basically collect in advance for anticipated major works to spread the cost for leaseholders. The fund remains with the property, so if there is one, it will go to whoever buys the flat. The seller will not get the money back.

They can also ask (if he so wishes), if the other flats are long leasehold, council tenants or sublet.

In terms of noise insulation - he could get them to ask council if they've had noise complaints.

olly300

££sc££ wrote: »

They can also ask (if he so wishes), if the other flats are long leasehold, council tenants or sublet.

To be honest due to the high number of BTLs, it's a good idea yourselves to find out about the other leaseholders/tenants and even met them if possible. If you do a viewing on a Saturday about mid-morning you are probably more likely to met them.

££sc££ wrote: »

In terms of noise insulation - he could get them to ask council if they've had noise complaints.

Unless the flat was planned after 2000 regardless of who the freeholder is don't expect decent noise insulation. Though there are older flats which have good insulation due to the nature of their building materials.

olly300

CLAPTON wrote: »

better if possible to buy a small house

service charges in all flats can be quite large and you normally have litle control of the level

in england there are no freeehold flats; scotland is different

In England you get easily get share of freehold flats.

What this means is you and the other freeholders, which may not be all the flat owners in the building, are directors of a company with equal stake to manage the building.

This works fine if you all get along and are all interested enough to sort issues out but if you have difficulties agreeing with things, half the directors can't be bothered to do things or pay for the repairs then there are problems.

This doesn't actually lower service charges as not all management companies are on the take.

Though you do get to hear a lot about the badly run private ones as well as the council ones. Mainly because bad publicity helps to make companies behave.

There are actually completely freehold flats in England but they are very rare due to the fact that a body needs to control the communal areas and take care of the structure of the building including the roof. Mortgage companies and insurers aren't happy if their is no central body to take care of joint areas.

olly300

moremore wrote: »

The landlord is responsible for the upkeep of the building that is standing on their estate or ground. You probably purchased a street property and not a flat as flats have a landlord unless the flat is a small block and they tenants purchased the freehold of the flats and not sure if council would agree to this.....

Councils do but all the flats must be privately owned.

In fact councils are happy to get rid of blocks of flats where they are all privately owned as it's less expense for them.....

BitterAndTwisted

Not necessarily the case: I live in a flat which was built by the long-gone GLC in the 70's. I have neighbours underneath and next door to me (I'm on the top floor) and I ever hear a sound unless someone is drilling to put shelves up and whatnot. It's a lovely place, solidly built with spacious rooms and massive windows.

seven-day-weekend

Thanks all for your input.

It's a matter of what to compromise on. These flats are in nice areas. You won't get a house in those areas for that money. There are cheap houses but they are in not very nice areas.

However, I take on board what everyone has said about ex-local authority flats; I suspected that the service charge/ expenses could be prohibitive for the owner-occupier in a block.

Think there will have to be a compromise on location and get a little house.

Thanks again

Errata

I think a house would be better, even if the area,s not perfect. Flat neighbours may be ok now but things can change so quickly. At least with a house he,s master of his own fate.

propertyman

olly300 wrote: »

There are actually completely freehold flats in England but they are very rare due to the fact that a body needs to control the communal areas and take care of the structure of the building including the roof. Mortgage companies and insurers aren't happy if their is no central body to take care of joint areas.

You are partly correct except that leases are retained to
a; allow you to own, sell, and borrow on your part of the property
b: manage your relationship with other flats

The freehold flats that do exist require very complicated cross covenants to deal with communal issues as you say, but also between neighbours. leases are far better at doing that, and understood by buyers and lenders.

The flat owners have an entirely separate interest in the freehold, either jointly with others or through a company as a shareholder/member.

Therefore there is no such thing as share freehold flats.

moremore

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Not necessarily the case: I live in a flat which was built by the long-gone GLC in the 70's. I have neighbours underneath and next door to me (I'm on the top floor) and I ever hear a sound unless someone is drilling to put shelves up and whatnot. It's a lovely place, solidly built with spacious rooms and massive windows.

I live in a council owned flat there are lots of elderly people and mentally challenge people as well as people moving in and out frequently. The problem is noise with neighbour above you can hear absolutely everything and nothing you can do about it as is people living. If someone has a loud music on you may be able to do something about it but when it is children crying and sometimes screaming you cannot do anything about it.

Council flats have no carpets in common stairwells and corridors and that echo’s dreadfully also the caretakers are just dreadful they are a lazy dirty lot they do not want to do cleaning but want the money and you are stuck with them no matter how much you complain.

There is nothing worse than leaving your flat and going into lifts that are filty dirty as well as the common stairwells, you have to go through this to get outside and then when getting back into your home again. Also you do not know who you are going to be in the lift with you or who you will meet in the common area. Council do not tell neighbour who is moving in or out of their flats and they need not tell you either.

Block where I live have bedsits, one bed and two beds in the block therefore a big turnover of residents and mix of tenants. :eek:
http://www.propertylawuk.net/neighbouringnoises.html