RTB FTB High Rise Mortgage

planteria

i'm trying to help a colleague who has been struggling to get a mortgage for her property:

she has the Right To Buy her council flat: she has not had a mortgage in recent years and so is considered by lenders she has spoken to so far as a First Time Buyer.

having spoken to several mortgage lenders she has been turned away based upon either the property being Right To Buy - seemingly some lenders say that they would only have a second charge on the property, and would only be interested if they can have the first charge - i didn't realise that being RTB would mean that the council would have a first charge - does that seem right?

Or she has been turned away because the flat is in a high rise block - 20 stories. some lenders will not lend upon properties which are in blocks over 5 stories.

she is earning a basic but consistent salary, the RTB discount she qualifies for is substantial, and she has no bad credit history, so i would have thought she is credit worthy if we can find a lender that is willing to lend based upon the above circumstances.

is anyone aware of lenders that will lend upon such a property in such circumstances please?

user1977

Does she understand why lenders don't like flats in council highrise blocks? Doesn't she share their concerns?

ACG

Go to streetcheck.co.uk
What percentage of the properties are owner occupied? 

If 50% or under, I can only think of one lender and their rates are going to be close to 10%. 
If over 50% there might be a couple of potential options are normal/near normal rates. 

One for a broker I think. 
Also what will your friend do if/when they decide to sell? They may struggle to find a buyer.