council house rules and restrictions

dlk

My partners parents have been in the same council house now for 33 years but due to age and illness are struggling to keep up to the cleaning, garden maintenance etc. They would like to downsize ideally to a bungalow.

My first question is, is this at all likely? I assume the chance of being able to move council properties is unlikely and even if it is possible may be years before something becomes available. Am I likely to be right in this assumption?

Second question for if the above isnt possible... Would me and my partner be able to inherit the council house and move into it and then us pay for the rent (or even buy) a private rental for her parents. Obviously the council rent is quite low rather than the £600pm we currently pay so we could give them a couple of hundred a month towards there bungalow which would make it affordable for them. Is this possible? Can a daughter take on the parents council home if they need to move out? Any advice is much appreciated.

Sorry a third question is, if me and my partner did move in and take over the council property would we be eligible for the right to buy? in other words we would be moving in new but they have been there for 33yrs so would we get the discount based on 33 years tenancy?

faerie~spangles

1) Smaller council home come up more frequently. The in-laws may also be able to get a swap to a smaller home.

2)You would not inherit their council home.

3) Most definitely not, you would not benefit from the time they have been tenants.

If you were thinking of moving in and moving them out you may find yourself homeless.

squinty

1. This does depend on the availability of housing in the area - however many councils do offer priority for people who will free up family accommodation by moving into something smaller. Some even offer incentives to do this, such as meeting the removal costs etc. You really do need to speak to your local council and ask.

2. No - this is not possible. Assuming you live in England or Wales a secure tenaancy can only be assigned in certain prescribed circumstances - none of which apply here.

3. Of course not

ognum

have they checked out house swap ads at the council. ost councils are desperate for family houses so a smaller property should not be a problem.

Werdnal

Some councils are even offering incentive packages to get people to downsize and free up family sized homes. Obviously, depends on availability of the housing stock in the area, but approach the council and ask.

It is very unlikely you will inherit the council tenancy. It usually only transfers once - to the surviving partner if one passes away. Right to buy is specific to long term tenants, not family of tenants.

gingergee

I always thought a council home could be given to a family member? What if they moved in with parents? Then parents decided to move out? Surely they would let them stay on? If the parents pass the tenancy to the OP surely that would then be the "allowed" inheritance??? I may be talking complete boy cow plop, but thats how i understood it???????

PS If they had need for it of course? Ie 3 kids. If it was just a couple, then no dont see how it could happen!!!

Werdnal

gingergee wrote: »

I always thought a council home could be given to a family member? What if they moved in with parents? Then parents decided to move out? Surely they would let them stay on? If the parents pass the tenancy to the OP surely that would then be the "allowed" inheritance??? I may be talking complete boy cow plop, but thats how i understood it???????

PS If they had need for it of course? Ie 3 kids. If it was just a couple, then no dont see how it could happen!!!

No, not these days - atleast not according to our local council anyway, although there may be different rules in different areas.

My brother lives at home with my parents in a Council property. Mum and Dad have a joint tenancy, brother not on the agreement. When M or D pass away, the tenancy changes to a single tenancy for whoever is the surviving partner, and when they finally go - or no longer need the property, then my brother would not automatically succeed them. They have already looked into this as concerned what would happen when both of them no longer with us.

That is not to say the council will chuck my brother out on the street, but they will assess his housing need and re-home if he fits the criteria for council house - hopefully this will be the case as through health problems, although working, he is not on a good wage and would be unable to afford his own property on his current and likely future income. However, nothing is certain and you can no longer automatically inherit a council tenancy from your parents/relatives.

propertyman

You might look into the right to buy so that they buy it, and you occupy it, until it can be sold to you without them having to repay the discount. They occupy your home.

Or it might be best to reorganise their home, emptying unused rooms and locating everything in part of the home, and helping out in the garden if they are nearby.

It's amazing how much time people get back by stopping watching trash on TV.

poppysarah

dlk wrote: »

My partners parents have been in the same council house now for 33 years but due to age and illness are struggling to keep up to the cleaning, garden maintenance etc. They would like to downsize ideally to a bungalow.

They should make enquiries about the possibility of doing a council house swap to a more suitable property.

BigAunty

One of my relatives got a decorating and moving grant from the local council to help her downsize from a 2 bed to a 1 bed. They also showed her numerous properties without any pressure to accept them.

However, she still didn't get a place in her favourite area -the council told her that virtually no properties become available there and urged her to consider some other areas. She's happy with what she got.

So, yes, assuming your folks are in an area with big demand for family properties, the council are likely to facilitate their downsizing and prioritise their application, or they can apply for a mutual exchange. However, if there's big demand for bungalows, they still might suffer stiff competition to secure one but you never know until you try.

By the way, check if there are any council schemes or charities in your local area that offer handyman/gardening services. My local council operates a free handyperson service.

If they have care/mobility needs, make sure you check if they are receiving the right benefits. Your local citizens advice bureau will be able to help you with this, plus advise on any support they can get around the house.

JodyBPM

Almost certainly your inlaws would be able to move into more suitable council accomodation. Either simply something smaller, or a specific over 50's development. If you contact the council or look on the council website they should be able to give you guidance of how to start the process off. Depending on what housing needs there are in your particular area, the council may even incentivize your inlaws to move.

Regardless of whatever basis your inlaws move out of their house, you and your partner will not be entitled to take it over, it will revert to the council, who will re-allocate it on the basis of need. Therefore any questions on your potential right to buy are moot. You will not be entitled to rent it, let alone buy it.