Buying in the NW (Macclesfield) - thoughts on this RM ad?

movingtomacc

Hi, we’ve recently moved to the North West (Macclesfield). and are currently renting but looking to buy soon. Any thoughts on this 2.5 bedroom house? It's a leasehold with 900+ years on it (the Estate Agent was talking about it as a non-issue). We have bought leasehold flats in the past so are aware of the usual issues, but never a leasehold house.

Only looking for 2/3 bedroom terraced houses in town at present, within a 10 minute max walking distance of town. Also, not sure if it's relevant but it looks like the vendor has used multiple agents as the ones on Zoopla and RM are different.

We will need to fit in a downstairs WC because my partner has a bad knee, looks like it should be doable, if a bit cramped (don't know about the leasehold terms though)

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-84286238.html

PS: Thanks to all the advice on the first property in my other thread. https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6039948/opinions-on-this-house-rm-ad&page=3#topofpage

Thanks in advance!

EDIT: Any ideas on what these ridges on the living room ceiling might be?

flouise

Do you own a car? If you drive, it'll be on-road parking (from what I can see) and it could potentially push up your insurance premiums.

I like it from the photos/description. However, lack of a parking is a big no-no for me, but that's just my opinion

movingtomacc

Neither of us have cars so parking isn't a consideration fortunately. For visitors, there's plenty of free street parking in the area.

My partner has a license and we rent a car occasionally, but that's not a factor.

Silvertabby

Are you thinking of putting the loo under the stairs? If so, then it will open directly into the dining area. Not a good idea (but perhaps that's just me).

Can you widen your area/expand your budget?

happyandcontented

Silvertabby wrote: »

Are you thinking of putting the loo under the stairs? If so, then it will open directly into the dining area. Not a good idea (but perhaps that's just me).

Can you widen your area/expand your budget?

Mrs Brown's Boys!! I agree, not the ideal spot for a loo imo.

Nice house though.

movingtomacc

That's what we were thinking of. We aren't too bothered about it opening into the dining area but are conscious that it might not be everyone's cup of tea! I can't think of any other place to fit it in..

Our area is pretty inflexible as we want to be within a 10 minute walk of town and the station.

Silvertabby wrote: »

Are you thinking of putting the loo under the stairs? If so, then it will open directly into the dining area. Not a good idea (but perhaps that's just me).

Can you widen your area/expand your budget?

drgg

On the subject of leasehould houses - the house we have almost completed on turned out to be leasehold (857 years remaining) part way through the buying process. The mortgage people (Nationwide) redid their valuation survey, and the valuation did not change.

movingtomacc

I know each lease is different but did your lease have any onerous conditions to meet for any changes like adding a toilet, building an extension, etc?

drgg wrote: »

On the subject of leasehould houses - the house we have almost completed on turned out to be leasehold (857 years remaining) part way through the buying process. The mortgage people (Nationwide) redid their valuation survey, and the valuation did not change.

phill99

movingtomacc wrote: »

I know each lease is different but did your lease have any onerous conditions to meet for any changes like adding a toilet, building an extension, etc?

Don't confuse the leases on flats (100 yrs or so with the very long leases on houses. Although technically it is the same, the onerous conditions on long leasehold houses are rare. Its effectively a freehold (999 yr leases) with a ground rent that is invariably never collected. But make sure you get the solicitor to check the lease.

need_an_answer

I can see why the agent would talk about a 900 year lease as a non issue...its a very healthy lease...

However what you need to be very interested in is the actual lease document that will specify any condition for changing parts of the property.

Its not ideal to put a toilet under the stairs ...its actually quite a cramped space with restricted head height so you'd really need to be comfortable that you would actually fit you and a loo in there

The lease may however prevent you from altering the property substantially...that's your problem.

If it does allow alterations please find out if there is a charge for permissions..sadly sometimes permission to alter can run expensive

phill99

need_an_answer wrote: »

If it does allow alterations please find out if there is a charge for permissions..sadly sometimes permission to alter can run expensive

Respectfully, that's not normally the case on long leasehold houses. I trained as a surveyor in Sheffield where long leasehold houses were very common. There are very few restrictions on extensions and certainly very few charges for owners consent. It almost reflects a freehold property in that regard.