Selling to the Council or other advice

last_mile

Hi All, 
Just looking for anyone who has experience in selling their property to the council.
How they found it, how quick it went, what they took and what they left etc?

Long Story short, I bought my flat in 2014. It is the only bought flat in the building of 7 flats total, the rest are owned by the council.
This results in me having absolutely no say over repairs and getting charged for damage caused by tenants.
It has been building for months now that the behavior of tenants being housed in the close is getting progressively worse. We are talking doggy butt nuggets all over the floor and runny butt puddles too.
Over the last week we have had the above as well as the safety glass been smashed in both the front and back door because they claim to either not have a key (this excuse was reported in January) or have forgotten to take it, so are simply just kicking the doors in to gain entry.
On Thursday last week I was the victim of an attempted home invasion, the perp was not looking to rob me but in fact looking for one of my lovely neighbors to exact his revenge for something or another. 
As such my nerves are already frayed and then some of the tenants are kicking the door to get it to open.

So in effect I contacted one of the local councilor and he is helping me escalate this through the council and there is talk of buying my flat back off me.
I love my flats and 3 of the other 6 tenants are nice and polite, i don't want to sell at all but it is getting to the point where it might be the only option.
I am of the opinion that I most likely will be unlikely to sell my property on the main stream market due to the condition of the building, the tenants and the lack of repair response from council.

Any Advice and information is more than welcome.
Thanks!

steve866

Can you afford to buy in a better area of the council pay you a fair price?

last_mile

steve866 said:

Can you afford to buy in a better area of the council pay you a fair price?

Hi Steve, Yes I could if they gave me a fair price but I really dont want to sell. 
but i do think it is coming to that point now.

csgohan4

the downsides of living in a flat sadly, to pay for repairs to communal areas e.t.c. No other way other than moving sadly or putting up with it

last_mile

csgohan4 said:

the downsides of living in a flat sadly, to pay for repairs to communal areas e.t.c. No other way other than moving sadly or putting up with it

i am fully aware of that downside and wouldn't have an issue with it if it wasn't for the fact that this isn't accidental damage but in fact willful damage. I cannot tell you how many times i have paid to have the safety glass on these doors repaired when it was willful and purposeful damage.
i have been putting up with it in vary degrees for the last 6 years but the newer tenants just dont seem to care about anybody but themselves.

FinallyStoppedLurking

In your situation I'd be desperate to be bought out by the council. 

[Deleted User]

How much is all this costing you in money, time and health ?
it sounds horrendous - you cannot live like that. 

Getting somewhere nicer where maintenance is only spent of normal repairs etc will save you money. Things like this take their toll on your health. I’d move out the minute I was offered a fair price 

nora_nora

Densol said:

How much is all this costing you in money, time and health ?
it sounds horrendous - you cannot live like that. 

Getting somewhere nicer where maintenance is only spent of normal repairs etc will save you money. Things like this take their toll on your health. I’d move out the minute I was offered a fair price 

Even without a fair price i would probably still take the money. The issues described are exactly the reason i won't buy my flat. I'd feel too resentful having to pay for all the little druggies in the block to have luxury accommodation while they systematically destroy everyone else's quality of life in return.

last_mile

I am waiting on their response to the request the councilor has submitted for me.
I did in fact enquire about the buy back process in 2017 and was originally told it required me to be in financial hardship, then they changed to " we're starting a program to buy back properties in situations like yours" but despite chasing nothing came to fruition and i had t drop it for a year of so while i worked through my divorce etc.
It's not that i don't want out, i really really do but this is my first solo home and its finally fully mine paint and all.
I've finally fully put my stamp on it and it seems that the council is happy to just let it go to ruin.
for example, there is a leak coming from the flat above my living room, originally i thought a blown window seal, i reported this in January and still no action has been taken. so now my living wall is crumbling and the council are doing nada about it.
its not just the tenants its the whole situation.
how do i know i am getting a fair price?
what do i leave? i.e carpets? or do they rip them up anyway.
i havent even started the process and im already feeling abandoned by them due to the recent events.

nora_nora

last_mile said:

I am waiting on their response to the request the councilor has submitted for me.
I did in fact enquire about the buy back process in 2017 and was originally told it required me to be in financial hardship, then they changed to " we're starting a program to buy back properties in situations like yours" but despite chasing nothing came to fruition and i had t drop it for a year of so while i worked through my divorce etc.
It's not that i don't want out, i really really do but this is my first solo home and its finally fully mine paint and all.
I've finally fully put my stamp on it and it seems that the council is happy to just let it go to ruin.
for example, there is a leak coming from the flat above my living room, originally i thought a blown window seal, i reported this in January and still no action has been taken. so now my living wall is crumbling and the council are doing nada about it.
its not just the tenants its the whole situation.
how do i know i am getting a fair price?
what do i leave? i.e carpets? or do they rip them up anyway.
i havent even started the process and im already feeling abandoned by them due to the recent events.

I don't envy you. Never in a million years would i buy my place. 

Norman_Castle

last_mile said:

Long Story short, I bought my flat in 2014. It is the only bought flat in the building of 7 flats total, the rest are owned by the council.

If it was bought through rtb and a social housing provider buys it within 10 years of purchase I believe they have to pay the market value. Hopefully any adjustments made for the buildings condition will be minor, the biggest loss would be from potential buyers avoiding this property due to the anti social behaviour which shouldn't be a problem if its purchased by the council.

Good luck. I've had problem neigbours, it should be easier for landlords to evict problem tenants. There are countless respectable people registered as homeless and living in temporary accommodation while endlessly disrespectful and disruptive people are securely housed.