Would you (or have you) buy an ex-council house?

chelseablue

I don't mind posting a link to one (if I can work out how!)

Stevie_Palimo

chelseablue wrote: »

I don't mind posting a link to one (if I can work out how!)

Open the webpage and right click with your mouse to copy then post here again by right click with paste option

Johnnytwostep

DTDfanBoy wrote: »

Not all council estates are as rough as yours Johnnytwostep, in fact chances are that when you move from your estate the vast majority of those problems will probably move with you

Im not so sure.
At least if you need help with a benefits claim form you wouldn't have far to go for advice.

bouicca21

Depends entirely on the estate. When I was looking there were ex council houses that were lovely and on nice estates. There were one or two that were on dodgy estates. Just remember that the great sell off means that anyone trying to get a council house has to have multiple problems to be in with a chance, so if a high proportion of the houses are still being rented, your chances of difficult neighbours are also higher.

I'd be inclined to check out what the local PCSO thinks and contact the residents' association.

Carfal

You can get good and bad neighbours everywhere but if you take a negative attitude to the people living around you, you won't win many friends.

A word to the wise...

When Right-to-Buy started, the in-thing was to immediately replace the front door so the whole world could see that the house was now privately owned.

Move on 30 years, and the council have done up their properties - new doors and windows, new roofs, insulation cladding over the grey concrete walls. Not to mention insulation, new kitchens or bathrooms and better heating.

Now the council houses now look really smart and the private houses who have not followed suit look somewhat tatty in comparison.

breaking_free

I've just bought an ex council flat in St Albans.

I was also a bit worried at the thought of who I might end up living next door to but fate has played me a good hand. My next door and upstairs neighbours (3 neighbours in total) have ALL bought their places within weeks of me and are owner occupiers.

Coincidence? Not at all. Because so many people are being priced out of the London market many buyers are looking at regions that are within commuting distance. On my council estate of 50 flats I know of 5 that have been bought in the last few months - that's a 10% turnover. The previous owners have all section 21d their tenants and cashed in on the upswing in property prices, selling to people who want to live in the flats themselves. My 2 pence worth.

Oh, and the walls are so thick I can't hear diddly squat through them.

[Deleted User]

I've got a 1955-build house, built by the council (although not 'a council house' - it was to rehouse factory workers) and it is tough as old boots. We're also near St Albans and our walls are super-thick too!

All our room sizes are pretty good, the garden is ok but not massive; that's par for the course in the south-east/outer london zones.

Would I spend a whole bunch of money to live in a council estate? No way at all. If you're spending a packet on a house, you might as well live in a nice neighbourhood too.

(BTW my dad grew up in a council estate in Salford, so I really don't have a positive view on them)

chelseablue

Ex-council house (not viewed this one yet)
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-51105262.html?premiumA=true


Private house (we have viewed this, needs too much work for us plus was near a noisy main road)
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-50961604.html

marleyboy

We have bought an X Council house. Much prefer them to a new builds, bigger, better constructed and far less snobby neighbours.

Mossfarr

I own two ex council properties, one is rented out, my daughter lives in the other. I personally wouldn't choose to live in them as they are in quite 'poor areas' but my daughter and tenants are very happy with them.
You are correct about the generous proportions and build quality, they are also very good value for money. It really depends on the area, as you are planning to live there, there are some issues to consider.
Have a good look at the surrounding properties - are they mostly still 'council' owned or are the majority now private owner occupiers or tenanted? This can make a difference.
If they are still council owned the houses are usually well maintained.
If they are landlord owned & tenanted sometimes properties look a bit neglected as some landlords don't maintain their properties.
If mostly private ownership they tend to be better cared for.
The best thing to do is to walk around a few times to get a feel for the area, at different times of day/night. Check out the local shops, community centres, schools etc.
Really you just do the same for any property you are considering buying.
mossfarr