should we go for it

CHARDONNAY_3

I don't mean to be rude but if you live in a council property, rent free, you would be insane to buy (especially in current conditions!)

I rent a flat and in an ideal world I would love to buy a house situated in a nicer area and have more space and a garden but for now I'm staying put cos it just makes a whole lot more sense.

Have you looked at housing associations rather than council - in my area you can transfer from council to HA. The other option would be to rent for a private landlord who accepts housing benefit as I assume this is what you would be in receipt of.

Out of interest - how would you pay back a mortgage? Me and my partner work full time and we would struggle!!!

ellieo

as ive said before my partner was involved in a hit and run accident prior to that we were both working 10 hour days 6 days a week he cant go back to work as he lost a arm in the accident and has insurence to cover his wages i have to go back to work in april so wont get any housing benefit then, rather than pay rent again we thought of buying now as we need a level floor property, we arent spongers its taken us years to save this money through hard work and going without holidays etc, and its the first time we have ever claimed benefits of any kind in our lives. that is why i was asking advise

geoffky

i thought you could not get benefits if you have more than 16grand unless its dla...

trudiha

I'm sorry to hear about your husband's accident, that's an awful thing to happen to anyone.

I understand that the HSBC will take into account when considering mortgage applications DLA payments, along with your own earnings, this might be in common with all mortgage providers you'd need to check.

I hope that you manage to find somewhere suitable for you circumstances. Good luck.

trudiha

geoffky wrote: »

i thought you could not get benefits if you have more than 16grand unless its dla...

Do you really not think that we should all have to good grace to assume that the OP (and every other poster) has been open and honest in their dealings with the Benefits Agency unless they say something to suggest otherwise?

CHARDONNAY_3

With your partners wages covered by insurance and you returning to work in April, it's possible you could afford a mortgage ( however you would have to wait until you had been in employment for sometime) But it seems like you have been through an awful lot of stress already, surely the added stress of taking out a mortgage wouldn't be a good idea, esp when there is no guarantee your house is going to be worth what you paid for it in a couple of years.

As I have said I would defo look at housing associations in your area - from my experience the properties are better than council ones (on the whole)

The other option could be shared ownership, if you already rent social housing (council) you would be in a good position for one of the schemes.

Whatever you choose to do, my only advice would be not to rush and buy a place in full just yet - good luck!