Council own the freehold. Question about repairs.

Heisenberg87_2

Me and my partner are looking at buying a 2 bed flat which Brighton and Hove Council own the free hold too.

We have found out that the service charge each month is £30. If no repairs have been done then you would be reimburst your money.

When we went to view the property it had perfectly fine double glazed windows, but we were told that the council are putting in new ones. My question is, if we were to buy this property would we be charged for this? Or does the £30 a month cover it?

Also do I have a say in what windows go in? If I feel the windows don't need replacing can I object?

If anyone has experienced this pleas let me know. Estate Agents is giving me and information...

Senior_Paper_Monitor

Was this property a 'right to buy' at some point in the past - if so when (this has some real issues with it) ?

Heisenberg87_2

Senior_Paper_Monitor wrote: »

Was this property a 'right to buy' at some point in the past - if so when (this has some real issues with it) ?

No too sure? Can I find this is via public documents? What problems would arise?

Senior_Paper_Monitor

Ask the vendor - many lenders will not finance a purchase where the 10 year pre-emption rights exist) often discovered well late in the conveyancing process after much money has been spent !

Senior_Paper_Monitor

.... and whether you have additional costs for the replacement windows depends totally on the lease conditions - have these checked by your conveyancing solicitors as soon as possible (before you spend any other money).

Heisenberg87_2

Senior_Paper_Monitor wrote: »

.... and whether you have additional costs for the replacement windows depends totally on the lease conditions 0- have these checked by your conveyancing solicitors as soon as possible (before you spend any other money).

Thanks for your help.

hostie

The council are presumably putting new windows into numerous flats and yours will just be one of many. They will get you to pay a proportion of the cost. The £30 may cover it or it may not. You could find yourself with a much larger bill to pay. They are unlikely to be able to tell you what to expect, being council. I had this problem but took the risk anyway. On the plus side, they take responsibility for the building.

Heisenberg87_2

hostie wrote: »

The council are presumably putting new windows into numerous flats and yours will just be one of many. They will get you to pay a proportion of the cost. The £30 may cover it or it may not. You could find yourself with a much larger bill to pay. They are unlikely to be able to tell you what to expect, being council. I had this problem but took the risk anyway. On the plus side, they take responsibility for the building.

What happens if you can't afford the bill? Is it possible to set up a payment plan?

barbiedoll

Where did you hear that the council would "reimburse" your service charges if no repairs were made?

I used to own an ex-council flat and my service charges were a similar amount to yours. This covered the buildings insurance, maintenance for the roof and the shared entrance, as well as the gardening charges for the front and back areas (grass cutting and occasional tree trimming in the communal garden at the back.) I never had any reimbursements!

After I sold it on, the council decided to replace the windows. My buyer had a bill for £4000, which was more expensive than the price I paid to have new windows installed in my house.

I don't know if you have any rights to refuse the new windows, most councils insist that all of the windows are replaced at the same time.

Beware!!

PlutoinCapricorn

Monthly service charges for regular costs and maintenance are one thing. If the £30 covers that, you are very lucky as it seems low to me.

Big bills for major works such as roof repairs are something else, and can run into thousands. You need to understand what you are letting yourself in for.

bizzybee

Have you read through the information on the council's website. You could start with this 44 page booklet about being a council leaseholder.

http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/sites/brighton-hove.gov.uk/files/downloads/housing/council_housing/Leaseholders_handbook_mar2012_web.pdf