Would you buy a house like this?

leypt1

Hi all,
We're pretty interested in buying a an ex-local authority house in SE London, styled to look like a "sun house" circa 1970:
https://lc.zoocdn.com/bafe5b984bdbe77c54690fb9c73362cb39e64885.jpg
I've heard mixed reviews about their construction and saleability - e.g. paper-like walls, potential for asbestos, the sheer stigma of being on a council estate, etc. This particular house is heated via a warm air system, which we hadn't come across before and are a bit worried about, but it does also have a boiler for hot water. However it's got a decent EPC rating, is good value for the location, and in a quiet, clean street with lots of beautiful and well-tended front gardens.
What do you think - would you buy a house like this? What issues should I be thinking about? 
Thanks very much in advance

Falafels

I'd check crime statistics in the area.

I used to have an ex-council house, and where I live now is very close to an estate which is part council-owned and partly 'bought'. Many of the people on the council estate were the nicest neighbours you could ever wish for; however there was also a lot of anti-social behaviour, and in 7 years the house was burgled three times, the garage broken into twice, my car stolen and various other petty thefts/vandalism - and in the end I moved out. The - beautifully kept and tended - house next door was home to a family of boys who were convicted burglars. In those days, information about crime stats was just not available.

Where I am now is nothing like as bad, but the anti-social behaviour rears its ugly head every couple of years. 

I say to check because it may be that there is no local problem at all - let's hope so! - and if there isn't, I wouldn't give a **** about the 'stigma' of being on a council estate. Any problems about the fabric of the building would be flagged up in a survey.

leypt1

Falafels said:

I'd check crime statistics in the area.

I used to have an ex-council house, and where I live now is very close to an estate which is part council-owned and partly 'bought'. Many of the people on the council estate were the nicest neighbours you could ever wish for; however there was also a lot of anti-social behaviour, and in 7 years the house was burgled three times, the garage broken into twice, my car stolen and various other petty thefts/vandalism - and in the end I moved out. The - beautifully kept and tended - house next door was home to a family of boys who were convicted burglars. In those days, information about crime stats was just not available.

Where I am now is nothing like as bad, but the anti-social behaviour rears its ugly head every couple of years. 

I say to check because it may be that there is no local problem at all - let's hope so! - and if there isn't, I wouldn't give a **** about the 'stigma' of being on a council estate. Any problems about the fabric of the building would be flagged up in a survey.

Thank you - do you know where I can find decent comparative stats? Streetcheck gives me a snapshot of that particular area for the month, which I've compared to two other places I've lived before but it's not exactly scientific; other websites rank crime levels in that postcode, but against the whole of the UK!
It would be great to see how crime levels compare to other nearby wards and the overall borough/city rate

davidmcn

Given the EPC refers to "system-built" walls (i.e. non-standard construction) I'd expect problems with mortgageability.

SallyDucati

https://www.police.uk/ gives a good idea of crime by postcode, useful to check the area.  

hazyjo

Don't mind the look of that house. Can see what looks like a big block of flats behind. How overlooked is it? Would be more concerned about the look of the street and area than the house.

Can you share the listing or let us know the area?

leypt1

davidmcn said:

Given the EPC refers to "system-built" walls (i.e. non-standard construction) I'd expect problems with mortgageability.

Thanks - is this a universal concern or to do with particular non-trad construction methods like concrete slabs?

leypt1

hazyjo said:

Don't mind the look of that house. Can see what looks like a big block of flats behind. How overlooked is it? Would be more concerned about the look of the street and area than the house.

Can you share the listing or let us know the area?

Thanks - it's sunny Penge! 
https://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/55772119?search_identifier=98547760cf41e8adb9ee4f99d2d33c89
We were concerned from the listing about it feeling a bit drab and overlooked (especially the back garden) but it didn't bother us too much when we got there

davidmcn

leypt1 said:

davidmcn said:

Given the EPC refers to "system-built" walls (i.e. non-standard construction) I'd expect problems with mortgageability.

Thanks - is this a universal concern or to do with particular non-trad construction methods like concrete slabs?

Different methods are more acceptable to lenders than others, probably not impossible to find a mortgage but I expect it would rule out some lenders.

leypt1

Also, amazingly the owner has lived there for 20+ years and is only leaving to move to Leicester, so probably didn't find it an unbearable place to live!

MrsPorridge

My Dad had the hot air heating system around 20 years ago.  Was very noisey when it first came on and it blew cold for about a minute then turned warm - I hated it when we stayed there, couldn't hear the telly and that cold wind - was like a wind tunnel.  However, they may have a more up to date system.  It might be worth asking the owner to put it on if you view again so you can hear/feel what its like.