Shared ownership nightmare

Samx41

Does anyone know if you still have to pay rent on a shared ownership property if you move out? We are desperate to move due to anti social neighbours and I need to upsize. Obviously we will need to keep up mortgage repayments but do we still have to pay rent on the housing association share? If the property is vacant do we still need to pay council tax?

Obviously it sounds like a crazy idea but just looking at interim options.

I'm thinking about starting another thread detailing our situation and outcomes as we go through the selling process as there was one on here a few years back but they never posted the outcome

rob404uk

sorry, I am pretty certain you will need to pay rent. sell as fast as you can.

FireWyrm

Of course you need to pay rent on the other half. Shared ownership is rental in name only. Essentially, you own it (in the eyes of the law) and therefore are a home-owner. You need to pay your utilities, council tax and rent up until the time you sell your portion and relinquish ownership.

However, the last time I looked, you might be able to get a stay on the Council Tax if it is being refurbished but only if it is unfit for human habitation - eg you've ripped out the bathroom to remodel for instance.

vuvuzela

No need to rip anything out
Unoccupied and unfurnished is currently enough for a 6 month exemption in the case of a lot of councils eg Leeds http://www.leeds.gov.uk/residents/Pages/Empty-properties-and-the-Council-Tax.aspx

FireWyrm

vuvuzela wrote: »

No need to rip anything out
Unoccupied and unfurnished is currently enough for a 6 month exemption in the case of a lot of councils eg Leeds http://www.leeds.gov.uk/residents/Pages/Empty-properties-and-the-Council-Tax.aspx

Umm...check first. This isnt the case with either Milton Keynes or Northampton councils who both state that the property has to be in significant disrepair for there to be a 6 month exemption....ie, being remodelled prior to selling for instance. It seems individual councils can make up the rules as they go along, so best to give them and ring and find out the rules.

Tina_Arena101

Check with the HA if you could sub-rent it out to other people? Often they say no but if you could say there are extenuating circumstances and they may be lenient...

chris_m

vuvuzela wrote: »

No need to rip anything out
Unoccupied and unfurnished is currently enough for a 6 month exemption in the case of a lot of councils

Definitely something to check though - when I called Eastleigh council recently to get the exemption for my father's place corrected (since when a tenant left it was put on the class C "6-month because empty" exemption when it should have been the class E "forever since the owner's in a care home" exemption) I was advised that due to a change in the law, from April this year the class C "6 month because empty" exemption would no longer be available.

FireWyrm

chris_m wrote: »

Definitely something to check though - when I called Eastleigh council recently to get the exemption for my father's place corrected (since when a tenant left it was put on the class C "6-month because empty" exemption when it should have been the class E "forever since the owner's in a care home" exemption) I was advised that due to a change in the law, from April this year the class C "6 month because empty" exemption would no longer be available.

Cheeky sods. You know why dont you...its down to this whole being able to pay over 12 months rather than 10 thing...I bet you.

getmore4less

are you persuing correction of the anti social through the council/freeholder/HA or whoever owns the share of these places.

blueybug

Also think about........

When you want to sell, you cant just go to Est agent and put house on the market, it has to be offered via your housing !!! for them to offer to others that want a half/part owned house

I know i'm going through the same thing as I type ALSO

FireWyrm

blueybug wrote: »

Also think about........

When you want to sell, you cant just go to Est agent and put house on the market, it has to be offered via your housing !!! for them to offer to others that want a half/part owned house

I know i'm going through the same thing as I type ALSO

Not necessarily. Not all associations demand first refusal. Since we dont know what rules apply to this particular OP, it doesnt really help to speculate.