Buying a house next to a council rented property?

Mumto3cheekymonkeys

I have to agree with melysion. Social housing was a godsend when it first started. Affordable housing for those who could not afford to buy and many of the people who live around me are or have been council tenants and all seem lovely to me. My grandad ( a builder) told me when we were looking at buying a house that an old council house was the best option and I dont think he has ever lived in social housing.

HapPea

They may be well built, spacious etc. But snobbery is rife in Britain today and so this may reduce the number of potential purchasers when you come to sell.

This isn't the first "Should I buy an old council house" thread I've seen on here.

If you're looking for a home for a short period of time it might be worth thinking about potential problems when you come to sell. But if it's for the long term then buy the house YOU like irrespective of what other people think.

melysion

The flat i'm buying is ex-council and I love it. I've met a number of my neighbours (mixture of owners and council tenants) and they all seem lovely and friendly and it feels very safe. Plus I've got a lot more for my money than if I'd gone for something that wasnt ex-council.

People need to get over themselves. Home owners are not superior to renters, whether they be private or council tenants, in any shape or form. And people who rent arent any less likely to look after their homes either.

DVardysShadow

Jamman960 wrote: »

... I'm just trying to figure out any potential reasons for the current owners to be moving out having only been there since late 2007, they've done it up to a very high standard which is something I probably wouldn't do if there was even a slim chance we weren't staying for long.

If you are buying, an ex council property gives a stepping stone into owning property [note how I avoided 'property ladder']. You generally get more property for your money, which represents quite good value. 1950's houses can be very good in that respect, although the finish and the degree of subsequent care can be less than the best. Genearlly, you probably have to take a little step down in terms of accommodation for the house after an ex council house

People who buy this type of property probably want to move on at some stage and in doing so, making the interior to a good standard is a reasonable strategy. When I bought mine the neighbours were great on one side and OK ish on the other. The worst neighbour I have had was in private housing

Mumto3cheekymonkeys

I disagree HapPea, I know alot of buyers who specify that they would like an ex council house the reasons are this
1. The house is likely to be lesser in price, getting more for your money.
2. There is more of a feeling of community.
3. Council houses are well built and have been well maintained.
My council changes windows and doors every 10 years, roofs get done every 20 years kitchens and bathrooms updated every 10 years. I know ppl that own homes who have done nothing but paint for more the 20 years.

Ex LA houses are very sought after near where I live.

Mumto3cheekymonkeys

Also ex council houses are built with much better room proprtions then new builds and councils get 10 % of all new builds for social housing now anyway.

Locana

My sister bought her ex council flat on an estate in Peckham as a FTB to get herself on the property ladder. It was only supposed to be a short term thing, but she has been there for years now due to the sense of community, great neighbours, local health centre, hospital, shops and a bus ride from central London. She loves it. I love it. People look after each other. You will find good and bad wherever you go, stereotypes don't help. And whoever in an earlier post said council tenants/renters are scum, you dont sound too nice yourself.

Jamman960

I'm not overly bothered whether they own or rent, the fact that they've only just moved in and the gardens are suddenly overgrown compared to the pics on streetview concerns me though, Council tennants tend to stay for longer periods of time so if I can help it I'd rather not get stuck with them if they are potentially the reason for the house being on the market in the first place! and I don't intend to buy a house and immediatly end up fighting to evict the neighbours

If we buy this place and the neighbours aren't too much trouble I can see us staying there for a long time but if the current owners are moving out because of the neighbours we'll probably end up wanting move again but not being able to afford it.

Feel free to interperate what I've said as snobbery - living in a nice house is all well and good but bad neighbours can make it hell - we rented a brilliant ground floor flat for 4 years before a couple with a 2 year old moved in above and let the 2 year old run around most nights till 2am in the morning! we moved as soon as we found out she was expecting another... it wouldn't have been that easy if we owned.

Mumto3cheekymonkeys

how old are the people selling to you roughly? Maybe they are moving as the house is too much for them or they want to be in a different area, have you asked why they are selling? Have you gone to the house different times of the day weekends etc to see what its like at all different times? I wouldn't be too worried about the garden especially if they have just moved in as they are still prob unpacking. We moved in last year and have only started touching the garden this feb as we were too busy in the first place and then winter came. 1 thing we have noticed that as we have been taking care of our garden and home others around us have started following suit. Maybe your neighbours cant afford a lawn mower?

poppy_f1

i bought ex council house, i couldnt even tell you if my neighbours were council tenants or owners