Council Right To Buy Query

anticlaus105

My mother lives in a rented council house (for many years). She is very poor with money (is mentally ill), been declared bankrupt in the past etc. I don't live there and haven't for a long time.

She has asked me on occasion and I am interested in buying the house under the right to buy scheme. The problem is I don't trust her not do something stupid and loose it.

The last time we discussed it she made enquiries and informed me a company specializing in right to buy was going to give her 10k to do it up. I tried to explain where was this money coming from exactly and who was paying it back and what was it secured on. She didn't seem to get that it would be a loan secured on the house.

Is there anyway I could purchase the house (she can't afford it) without risking loosing the money use to purchase it. I have no problem with her living in it rent free indefinitely. I just don't want her end up loosing it. I am under the impression it will have to be done in her name.

I know if you sell you have to pay back any discount. What happens if you simply give it to a family member? Can I get some kind of legal injunction on her taking credit out against it etc? Power of attorney or something?

Cheers in advance.

wecanhelpu

In other words

"how can I buy a house on the cheap"?

Alleycat

anticlaus105 wrote: »

My mother lives in a rented council house (for many years). She is very poor with money (is mentally ill), been declared bankrupt in the past etc. I don't live there and haven't for a long time.

She has asked me on occasion and I am interested in buying the house under the right to buy scheme. The problem is I don't trust her not do something stupid and loose it.

The last time we discussed it she made enquiries and informed me a company specializing in right to buy was going to give her 10k to do it up. I tried to explain where was this money coming from exactly and who was paying it back and what was it secured on. She didn't seem to get that it would be a loan secured on the house.

Is there anyway I could purchase the house (she can't afford it) without risking loosing the money use to purchase it. I have no problem with her living in it rent free indefinitely. I just don't want her end up loosing it. I am under the impression it will have to be done in her name.

I know if you sell you have to pay back any discount. What happens if you simply give it to a family member? Can I get some kind of legal injunction on her taking credit out against it etc? Power of attorney or something?

Cheers in advance.

To be honest, it sounds as if it would be much more sensible to just continue with your mum renting the property from the council. If she is on a low income then she will be receiving housing benefits to assist in paying the rent and as it is social housing the rent will be pretty affordable.

I have to say that I strongly disagree with the right to buy and if you are wanting to do it in order to get a good deal then I think it is morally wrong. It is needlessly taking away valuable housing stock from the social housing sector that is much needed by other people who cannot afford to buy or rent privately.

clutton_2

i suggest you go to a solicitor together, most of them will give you the first half hour for free, and get some legal advice.

then go alone to a different solicitor and get a second opinion - again under the first half hour free deal.

maybe you could buy the house in joint names - if you can prove that your mother cannot satisfactorily manage her own affairs.