Advice on buying council property

k_m_b82

annabanana82 said:

Our neighbours are doing similar, from what they have said the Son had to be on the tenancy for 12 months before they could consider it. 

The Son also had to sign a document to say he wouldn't make his parents homeless - not sure what the legal position would be on this. 

The main benefits to the parents are that when he starts paying a mortgage they can stop being responsible for the rent so will be £5-600 better off a month and they won't be paying rent in their retirement.

There are potential downsides but I guess it's a case of crossing that bridge when/if it comes or finding a way to mitigate those risks before they arise

Thank you. A constructive response, unlike some of the others that have been posted.

k_m_b82

Mildreds_Earrings said:

@k_m_b82 It's not just a matter of adding your name to the Tenancy. You would have to prove you lived there for at least 12 months and it won't be something simple like a mobile phone bill. We will ask whether Council Tax, GP, school, etc is registered in your name at that address and we will ask for proof. The Council will also ask why your name needs to be added to the Tenancy Agreement if both parents are alive? As Councils don't like losing their housing stock, be prepared for them to thoroughly investigate the RTB application.

Many relatives who we have never heard from before put their RTB application 12 months and 1 day after providing evidence and then wah wah wah when the application is declined. We can see family members' influence a mile away. Poor parents. 

I understand there are some individuals who as you say try to influence others with this process and I agree with your comment of poor parents but I can assure you this is not so in our case. It is my parents who have expressed a desire for me to look into purcashing the property as they believe given their ages they would not be eligible for a mortgage. As stated I have lived in the property for 38 years (paying rent to them also since the age of 18) which the council will see on their records and they will be able obtain all relevant information needed from the sources you have stated. The option of myself going on the tenancy would not just be with a view to buying in the future but to continue renting the property in the unfortunate event that something happens to one or both of my parents.

@k_m_b82 It's not just a matter of adding your name to the Tenancy. You would have to prove you lived there for at least 12 months and it won't be something simple like a mobile phone bill. We will ask whether Council Tax, GP, school, etc is registered in your name at that address and we will ask for proof. The Council will also ask why your name needs to be added to the Tenancy Agreement if both parents are alive? As Councils don't like losing their housing stock, be prepared for them to thoroughly investigate the RTB application.

Many relatives who we have never heard from before put their RTB application 12 months and 1 day after providing evidence and then wah wah wah when the application is declined. We can see family members' influence a mile away. Poor parents. 

MalMonroe

KxMx said:

Might be a non starter anyway, my local council don't allow inter family joint tenancies, only allowed between a couple in a relationship. 

Well they should do because it's government policy, not council rules.

MalMonroe

HampshireH said:

KxMx said:

Might be a non starter anyway, my local council don't allow inter family joint tenancies, only allowed between a couple in a relationship. 

Quite common.

Not really.

MalMonroe

Hi, I guess you can tell that some people don't agree with selling off social housing, although councils are supposed to be building more of it throughout the country.

Tenants are entitled to do so though and even though people are saying you should buy privately, you'll never get such a great discount. Your parents and you have probably paid for your home many times over. 

The government website says this -

"You can make a joint application with:

• someone who shares your tenancy
• up to 3 family members who’ve lived with you for the past 12 months (even if they do not share your tenancy)"

I think you're good to go. It isn't difficult to prove that you've been living at the property all your life. Have a look at this website - 

https://www.gov.uk/right-to-buy-buying-your-council-home  - it gives some relevant information and then takes you directly to the form you need to complete.

Also, I have to say ignore the scaremongers. If anyone who lives in the home needs to go into a care home at any time, nobody will have to lose their home in order to pay any fees.

If your parents want to and you are keen to, go for it. 

Oh and also, I'm in my 70s and want to buy my council property with my daughter - I have been advised that I will be able to get a mortgage - so please don't write your parents off just yet!!

MalMonroe

_shel said:

k_m_b82 said:

I am new to this site & looking for advice.

I will be as brief as possible with my query.

I am hoping to purchase a council property and would be a first time buyer.

My parents have been Council tenants for over 47 years, they have resided in the property they are now in for 44 years. I, myself, whilst not on the tenancy have lived here all my life (38 years) and so too has my 13 year old daughter. My parents are now both in their early 70s and do not work due to being of pension age & poor health. They would, therefore, we imagine, be unable to obtain a mortgage for purchasing the property. I myself work full time and would be more than happy to apply for a mortgage and pay the monthly repayments.

I am under the impression that it is only the named tenant that has Right to Buy, and that a Family member can only ‘Join’ an application with the tenant, they can’t apply in their own right. I am wondering if this is correct would it be a better option to ask the council to put my name on the tenancy and then look at applying to buy the property? And would this still mean my parents would have to be applicants on a mortgage?

Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Getting the popcorn out for this 

This is helpful?

HampshireH

MalMonroe said:

HampshireH said:

KxMx said:

Might be a non starter anyway, my local council don't allow inter family joint tenancies, only allowed between a couple in a relationship. 

Quite common.

Not really.

Of the housing associations I have worked in and many I have worked with its has been quite unusual to have inter family tenancies permitted. So it is certainly not unusual to have an application of this kind declined. Likewise three people on a tenancy is even more unusual.

So we will have to agree to disagree on this one. In any case the OPs parents landlord apply this rule 

I didn't say a family member couldn't be a joint applicant for an RTB.

[Deleted User]

MalMonroe said:

_shel said:

k_m_b82 said:

I am new to this site & looking for advice.

I will be as brief as possible with my query.

I am hoping to purchase a council property and would be a first time buyer.

My parents have been Council tenants for over 47 years, they have resided in the property they are now in for 44 years. I, myself, whilst not on the tenancy have lived here all my life (38 years) and so too has my 13 year old daughter. My parents are now both in their early 70s and do not work due to being of pension age & poor health. They would, therefore, we imagine, be unable to obtain a mortgage for purchasing the property. I myself work full time and would be more than happy to apply for a mortgage and pay the monthly repayments.

I am under the impression that it is only the named tenant that has Right to Buy, and that a Family member can only ‘Join’ an application with the tenant, they can’t apply in their own right. I am wondering if this is correct would it be a better option to ask the council to put my name on the tenancy and then look at applying to buy the property? And would this still mean my parents would have to be applicants on a mortgage?

Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Getting the popcorn out for this 

This is helpful?

 Where did I say I was trying to help?