Buying a flat in a council block?

cherry76

Just found out the flat I am interested is owned by the council after doing some research. I have not been able to find out how many are tenanted or privately owned. What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying a council flat ! I can only think of the disadvantages. Islington is the freeholder. Thanks 

gm0

There is no generic answer to this.  Each unique site. And community (and its behaviour).  And structure and state of care of the block (which you can partially assess superficially upon viewing) are unique to the site and council. 

Flat roofs. Cladding or not.  High rise or not. Energy efficiency and heating solution vs green targets.  State of the windows. All the things that could be a cost nightmare in the next 20 years.  Scaffolding is an immense cost for windows and cladding or render on tall flats. Councils are not necessarily better or worse than private freeholders or leasehold communities in repeatedly deferring expensive things that *should* happen soon.  Both do it.  And which are in fact more expensive done later.  Eventually later is now.  And a whacking Section20 notice drops on your mat asking for thousands as contribution.

As a minority lease owner with no practical possibility of RTM you are essentially a victim of whatever, whenever and however they wish to proceed.  And then just send you your Section notice with the bill for it.  They have some legals to follow but your interests are not really a material factor for them. And if they don't do things you want.  Or do expensive things and charge you per lease 1/n - that you don't think should take years and meanwhile cover up your windows with safety curtains.  It is what it is. 

Dragging their feet due to not wanting to spend money on works in year is the more likely solution until it cannot be deferred any longer.

Because people fear this complete lack of control situation - the actual sold values can be depressed - which can make it a housing solution that you may still like - at the *right* price

But in general with your barge pole - I would not

BarelySentientAI

Are you worried about the council as the freeholder - in which case it doesn't really matter than much how many of the neighbouring properties are privately owned - or are you worried about your perception of who lives in council-owned housing?

youth_leader

I wouldn't choose to live on a council estate again.  In the 80's I lived with my friend in her parent's council flat in The Vale, in Acton.  Her parents had bought their flat, others above and below the flat were rented.  Drug addicts lived above us with loud booming music, constant visitors and door slamming, they left their dog out night and day barking and whimpering at their door.  Sometimes he was locked out on the balcony, it was awful, someone in the building opposite also locked their dog out there.

Where is the parking for the flat?  We could see our cars from the flat window.  One night I heard something and looked out to see someone hitting my car windscreen with a brick, he ran off when I shouted.  Then one morning my car wouldn't start and when my boyfriend opened the bonnet my car battery had been stolen, we then realised his tracksuit had gone too.  I was resitting an exam and had a private tutor - he was nervous to leave his car outside.  

youth_leader

Bought back memories so I had a look to see if it might have changed - looks even worse forty odd years later, those huge metal windows!   I'd also forgotten about the fires in the big communal bins.  I hope you can find somewhere you like and feel secure, I was always nervous to be alone when my friend was out for the evening.  

2 bed flat for sale in Beech Avenue, London W3, £350,000 - Zoopla

SandyN21

cherry76 said:

Just found out the flat I am interested is owned by the council after doing some research. I have not been able to find out how many are tenanted or privately owned. What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying a council flat ! I can only think of the disadvantages. Islington is the freeholder. Thanks 

This may help
https://uksocialhousing.com/locations

cherry76

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/150401564#/?channel=RES_BUY

deannagone

At 78 years, leasehold is a little low too so more expensive to extend.  You tend to get more for less with an ex LA flat, but have to weigh this up against the disadvantages.

alri08

Is the flat actually on an estate? I live in an ex-council flat in a Victorian house that has been converted into flats. The house is no different to the other houses in the terrace. 

The main advantage is that the service charge is very cheap, though you have to balance that against the possibility of a very expensive S20 notice.

I have found the council reasonably responsive about doing repairs. They are not always quick, but they get them done. It's no worse than the place I lived before with a private individual freeholder. The council officers always behave professionally, which wasn't the case with my previous private freeholder. 

cherry76

The flat appears to be on a council estate, will know more on Saturday when I view.According to Islington they are council owned.  I know where it as I live nearby and it is in a great location. Not keen on the idea when maintenance and repairs are due I will be landed with a hefty bills and free for council tenants.