Council flat questions.

KxMx

Keeping wrote: »

I'm not talking about getting a free kitchen from the council... I'm talking about home improvements. If I was to install a new kitchen that I've paid for in a flat that is mine for life then why can't I?

It's not like I'm knocking down the wall or anything.

Because the property doesn't belong to you It is the place you live and rent but the property belongs to the landlord. Therefore what the landlord says in terms of improvements goes.

You would need to have a mortgage or own the property to do what you like and i'm afraid a council rent doesn't count, even if you get a lifetime tenancy.

I'm not being judgemental in case you think I am because I live in a council house too

leeroy2009

lol, my council let you (with permission) change bathrooms kitchens etc, they class such things as improvements they will then maintain these modifications, ie you put a new bathroom in and a pipe burts etc later on THEY will put it right at no cost to the tenant.

Keeping

KxMx wrote: »

Because the property doesn't belong to you It is the place you live and rent but the property belongs to the landlord. Therefore what the landlord says in terms of improvements goes.

You would need to have a mortgage or own the property to do what you like and i'm afraid a council rent doesn't count, even if you get a lifetime tenancy.

I'm not being judgemental in case you think I am because I live in a council house too

I thought a council flat is owned by the council? I'm suprised a landlord would commit to a life long tenancy agreement on a flat that he or she owns.

I thought the council builds or buys the properties from the landlords who then rent them out to people needing somewhere to live... I guess I was wrong lol

nannytone_2

your landlord is the council!
landlords dont have to be individuals, they are just the owners of nthe property you rent

mattcanary

CrazyRed wrote: »

Hi,

You'd need to ask the question of your housing provider once you're all moved in and settled. Under normal circumstances, as I understand it, you would not be permitted to change the kitchen - most housing providers have a "standard" kitchen and would not normally take kindly to people changing them - in fact, this may be grounds for your tenancy to be withdrawn, especially during the probation period.

Besides, why would you want to spend your hard-earned money on changing the kitchen when, chances are if it is old, the Council will be doing that for you anyway - either before you move in (if your Council has a set standard for new rentals) or afterwards as part of their planned upgrades/replacements?

The .gov website speaks of a "secure" tenancy. As far as I am aware, Council Tenancies offered nowadays are not "secure" - they are a fixed-term tenancy.

Check with your housing provider - they'll have to give you a copy of the tenancy agreement for you to sign before you move in, anyway, and the terms and conditions will be listed in the same.

Most couuncils offer introductory tenancies for a year when a tenant first is housed by them. After a year, they then become a secure tenant (as long as they have complied with the terms of the tenancy).
Secure tenancies do last for life (as long as you pay your rent, are not evicted for anti-social behaviour, your home isn't demolished, etc).


Of course, a relatively large proportion of councils have their own stock nowadays. In the majority of areas, social housing consists of housing association properties instead. They do not offer secure tenancies - however, many offer a similar kind of tenancy that also gives the tenant security for life.

mattcanary

Keeping wrote: »

Thanks for the advice so far everyone. I emailed the council who are supplying me the home and she told me that I would be placed on a 1 year probationary period and after that year if I've kept up the rent etc I would be offered a secure tenancy which she said, is for life.

Maybe it has changed for some boroughs I don't know. In regards to the kitchen being changed, I'd of course ask permission from the council before doing it first but I suspect if the home is going to be mine "forever" I'd like to live in relative comfort and not have a kitchen / bathroom that looks like something out of north korea.

Councils have to comply to the decent homes standard with regards to their kitchens.
Most kitchens in council homes are better equipped and well laid out than many in privately rented homes.

mattcanary

KxMx wrote: »

Because the property doesn't belong to you It is the place you live and rent but the property belongs to the landlord. Therefore what the landlord says in terms of improvements goes.

You would need to have a mortgage or own the property to do what you like and i'm afraid a council rent doesn't count, even if you get a lifetime tenancy.

I'm not being judgemental in case you think I am because I live in a council house too

I'm sure you can change it if you want to (at your expense) - however, the council may wish to see detailed plans as to what the new kitchen will be like. It would have to comply with the decent homes standard.

KxMx

mattcanary wrote: »

I'm sure you can change it if you want to (at your expense) - however, the council may wish to see detailed plans as to what the new kitchen will be like. It would have to comply with the decent homes standard.

My wants don't come into it. It is down to the landlord (council) to say yes or no. If the landlord says no then I could not change a kitchen myself Even if it was at my own expense.

I fail to see why people don't get this. The person or organisation that owns the property has the power, not the renter.

The renter can want all they like, but would be unable to make changes without the landlord's approval. Even a renter with a lifetime tenancy.

richard9991

Another problem with doing alterations in council property is if/when you come to leave the council will make you put it back to how it was when you moved in or do this themselves then charge you for the work.

Errata

richard9991 wrote: »

Another problem with doing alterations in council property is if/when you come to leave the council will make you put it back to how it was when you moved in or do this themselves then charge you for the work.

Some may, others won't.