Bad Reasons to Buy a Flat in a Tower Block?

teddysmum

macman said:

They're supposed to sway in the wind. They would collapse if they were 100% rigid.

Of course it's built to sway , but it's wasn't a nice feeling for me or the person with me.

Saga

I've lived here for 3 years and, yes, it can get windy – anything above direct 50 mph gusts (think 'Beast from the East' in 2018) is very scary when the floor-to-ceiling windows physically deform inwards!  I don't really notice the building swaying unless I look at the ceiling light fittings.

There are two lifts and both have been out of action for more than day on two occasions in that time, once for about 1 week which provided for a good cardio workout!  All other lift issues have been fixed within 24 hours. I've been stuck in the lift once, between the 13th and 14th floors; called out the fire & rescue service but was 'told off' by the management company for doing so.  At the time, the then lift contractors were quoting a wait of at least 4 hours for extraction!

hazyjo

May be at risk of being demolished at some point in the future.

Also agree it's unlikely to be mortgageable. And even if you got one now, it may be harder or impossible in the future for others.

carefullycautious

I know this is in Wales but it happens with all tower blocks when repairs are needed
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/swansea-meridian-tower-quay-apartment-16794777

Saga

carefullycautious said:

I know this is in Wales but it happens with all tower blocks when repairs are needed
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/swansea-meridian-tower-quay-apartment-16794777

I suspect something like that is probably why the service charge is so ridiculously high for the block.

RobM99

"9) you could end up with an absolute tosspot to the left of you
10) you could end up with an absolute tosspot to the right of you"
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you!

gwynlas

I know one ex local authority tower block that had additional floors added when renovated by developers. These obviously not part of original structiure so might be an issue for mortgage lenders.

katie91_2

If it doesn’t have an EWS1 you won’t be able to get a mortgage. Coming from someone currently trying to sell a leasehold flat (even without cladding), I would avoid like the plague.

peter12345678910

3300 is high, I pay 2000 a year but they are building a new roof, I can see some work has started on the roof. Added to the 3300 is 40 for ground rent mine has gone to 60 a year.

Do not do this you will regret it for the rest of your life. Also you can ring the management company and ask about future costs! 

[Deleted User]

Its spacious and you like the view, good idea to rent.  Not sure about neighbour trend, expensive service charge with likely increase in near future, can't get a mortgage - Really bad idea to buy.

Rent until you don't want to anymore.  Don't buy with so many challenges as a result of buying (including much more difficult to move on from a purchased property if things go downhill).