Getting mortgage to purchase an ex-council semi-detached property

first_time_buyer.....

Good Morning All,

I need some advice regarding to mortgage. I am a first time buyer and I have a mortgage certificate from Barclay & Halifax. I was planning to buy a 2002 built semi detached house(offer accepted) but unfortunately the seller let me down and sold it to her former partner instead(complicated situation). I’ve got the certificate when they accepted my offer and was planning to go forward for other application.

I have now found a property. It’s an ex-council semi-detached house and it’s freehold. I heard that I might find difficulty getting mortgage for an ex-council freehold semi detached. I contacted the mortgage advisor working for Woolwich(Barclay) and explained the situation to her and her reply was :
“If the flat is freehold, then unfortunately, we would not be able to proceed.
I have also been told that if it is classed as a high rise building, we would face some difficulty in lending on these grounds also.” I’ve replied to her that it’s a freehold semi detached property and not heard anything since then

Has anyone bought an ex-council and was able to get mortgage for it?

Thanks

Alicia

kathrynha

We have an ex-council end terrace freehold and have never had any issues getting a mortgage.

With the amount of ex council houses out there, I would guess that others haven't had an issue either.

Flats and leasehold can be an issue though

kaya

I understand there are a few issues with lending on ex L/A flats but haven't heard of any for houses, I live in an ex council terrace and we had no issues when we brought it 9years ago, we have just sold it on again this week and our buyer had no issues getting a mortgage either

kingstreet

There is no problem mortgaging such a property with a high street lender. The problems the Barclays employee has raised do not apply to freehold houses, so telling you about them was completely redundant.

Dave_Ham

As above, definitely the Barclays person confusing you and the issue. you should be fine, other things being equal.


Any idea how ACG has got his autosignature back to normal, but mine is still in graphics??


Maybe I should ask the kitchen sellers?

kingstreet

Dave_Ham wrote: »

As above, definitely the Barclays person confusing you and the issue. you should be fine, other things being equal.


Any idea how ACG has got his autosignature back to normal, but mine is still in graphics??


Maybe I should ask the kitchen sellers?

Dunno. Mine is still shot.

Maybe he went in and re-keyed it.

Senior_Paper_Monitor

Since mine only said I was a naughty boy and it had been removed (I never understood why - and refused to re-enter on principal) I shall continue with the hieroglyphics in an ongoing display of petulance ! Buggah !! - They fixed mine !!


While obviously the Barclays/Woolwich girlie was confused (nothing new there), there can be an issue with ex-council houses if they were sold into private ownership within the last ten years and pre-emption rights exist (have had to 'rescue' a handful of these in the last couple of years as a result of our RTB activities). Worth checking this out in advance as it otherwise tends to get spotted very late in the conveyancing process when money has already been spent.


Nothing else that should cause a problem that you have described.

Dave_Ham

Tried going back in and changing mine, but still the same.


Good call on pre-emption, as we have seen 1 with this issue that needed some work too.

first_time_buyer.....

Senior_Paper_Monitor wrote: »

Since mine only said I was a naughty boy and it had been removed (I never understood why - and refused to re-enter on principal) I shall continue with the hieroglyphics in an ongoing display of petulance ! Buggah !! - They fixed mine !!


While obviously the Barclays/Woolwich girlie was confused (nothing new there), there can be an issue with ex-council houses if they were sold into private ownership within the last ten years and pre-emption rights exist (have had to 'rescue' a handful of these in the last couple of years as a result of our RTB activities). Worth checking this out in advance as it otherwise tends to get spotted very late in the conveyancing process when money has already been spent.


Nothing else that should cause a problem that you have described.

What do you mean? Do you mean it could be complicated within 10 years from the date it was bought from council?

steeeb

Is the house a conventional build and not concrete or tin or the other random methods used for some council properties?