Buy Back of ex Council House

emmadv05

Please can people tell me of their experiences with their local councils buying back their properties.

My own experience of my local authority buying back my property has been extremely stressful and long winded.

The process has been 10 months so far.

I would like to know if the tallies with other peoples experiences.

Any input would be good.

theartfullodger

Was this compulsory purchase or did you request your bought home was re-purchased by council, please?

What caused stress - price, admin, timescale whatever please?

emmadv05

Hi I approached the council on 2nd April.
Was told 8 weeks later the didn't want to buy back
I put my property on the market
They then came back after 2 weeks later, and said they did want to buy it back and requested I take if off the market.

Took them 6 months from that date to make an offer with many mistakes and hold up in-between.

Accepted offer in November, though I clearly said I didn't feel the offer representative, but had found a suitable property to move to so was keen to complete sale quickly

9 weeks after accepting offer they are yet to instruct solicitor.

Delaying and effecting the purchase of my next property.

emmadv05

Have tried to deduct money for removal of a wall that was in the property before I occupied it. I was clearly put in by the landlords as is on their original plans.

Have blocked any attempts I have made to rectify building control issues.
(these issues raised when I moved the location of my old kitchen into the living room)
I needed consent for change of usage from the old kitchen to a bedroom.
I have been trying to resolve these issues for 3 years
Took fees off me for inspection, then ignored emails and never completed a full inspection

When it came to final negotiation this was used at the landlords full advantage.

Firstly by trying to deduct £5000 for removal of wall.

Then when I explained this was not done by myself, they came back and wanted to deduct £5000 for removal of old kitchen. I argued this and said I could remove kitchen myself for much less they changed to deduct £2500.

The valuation I was sent before offer was made was for 195000.

When offer came in several weeks later the value had changed to 190000

The final offer was 185000

I didn't accept this and new offer came 187500.

Before I put the flat on the market I had 5 estate agents look at the property and they all priced between 200000 and 225000.

The landlords themselves are selling 1 bed flats 1 mile from my property for 210000.

I believe the landlord has intentionally taken such a long time to make an offer so that I am less likely to challenge any offers and valuations.

AdrianC

Simple answer, then, is surely to re-market publicly.

lookstraightahead

Just sell it on the open market?

Tiglet2

Sounds like you have a Section 156A restriction on your title.

Section 156A of the Housing Act 1985 provides a right of first refusal to Councils/Housing Trusts in relation to properties previously sold under the right to buy scheme. The purpose of the legislation is to allow Councils/Housing Trusts to rebuild the stock of Council housing by re-buying previous Council homes if they come up for resale within a period of 10 years.

Has it been 10 years since you purchased under the RTB?

diggingdude

Go down their complaints process?

theartfullodger

So you want to hold onto almost all of the tax-payer funded discount you took when you purchased?

For the avoidance of doubt I am merely asking, in no way criticising.

emmadv05

Hi

I have started complaints process.

My local MP wrote to them to ask for solicitors details to be sent to me by 17th January.

D!tails were not sent and when I phoned the man dealing with my buy back he laughed down the phone at me.

He has now refused to help with the buy back anymore as I have written to my local MP

emmadv05

Yes its been over 5 years since I purchased property
So asking for the full market value