Ex- council blocks?

[natalieh101]

Anyone have any advice or personal experience buying / living in ex-locals in East Dulwich, Forest Hill etc ?

[bonacara]

We recently purchased an investment (to let) 2 bedroom ex council flat in Forest Hill. A lovely small block of only 6 flats, we met all the neighbours and they are really lovely. There is too much stigma attached to ex council flats, they are of course not as nice as character old victorian ones, but the price difference is massive. We got so much more space for our budget because it is an ex council and I am pretty sure that in the next 10-20 years it will make no difference at all. They are all slowly turning into private residencies.

[Otta]

I'm in the process of buying on the borders of Sydenham / Penge East on an estate with 4 or 5 blocks of about 4 or 5 storeys each so 16 - 20 flate per block.

Main question the mortgage broker had was how many of the flats in that block are privately owned. Apparently a lot of lenders will want 50-75% privately owned before they'll lend. But then again, we had a small deposit and are using the help to buy scheme so that probably didn't count in our favour.

Highly recommend L&C Mortgages for getting you sorted, they've been fantastic so far for us. Our broker was James Hurst, 0191 269 3559 and he's been great.

[bodsier]

What would be the difference bonacara if they weren't all turning into private residences? Apart from the fact that people on a lower income wouldn't be able to live in London?

[Otta]

It's the lenders that have the problem with too many flats remaining council.

[woodland]

I live in a small block and the best piece of advice i was given and can give is to check whether there are any major works due. Have the windows been changed in the past few years - when is the block due to be redecorated. I believe that Lewisham conduct maintenance work on blocks every ten years. This year my block is being repainted, windows repaired, roof repaired etc etc. The estimated cost to me is approxinmately ?3,000 that I can pay over three years.

I wouldn't let this put you off as the work is work that you would need to do to maintain a property but unlike other properties you cannot choose not to have the work done.

In my experience ex-council flats provide more space for your money.

The issue of low income families and housing stock extends into many areas, private landlords, lack of new properties being built, rising birth rates etc etc etc.... I think the OP just wanted some advice. Maybe that's a whole different thread.

[natalieh101]

Many thanks folks, we are indeed just looking for general advice. Most of our friends live in ex-council blocks (albeit in Bethnal Green/Mile End), I guess we're looking to find out what kinds of blocks are best and if there are any specific developments that people would recommend.... thanks all

[Otta]

Avoid high rise, look for 5 storey or less.

[ontheedge]

Less than 4 stories no lift, so no lift maintenance which costs a lot, less grounds less maintenance def get an estimation of service charges as they will normally add an extra ?100 to your mortgage charges. Honestly thread carefully

[minder]

I wouldn't worry about living in an ex-council block natalieh. As for neighbours, you can get good and bad (or both) neighbours wherever you live.

bonacara's reply to your OP comes across as quite snobbish really.

Everything and then "They are all slowly turning into private residencies".

[bodsier]

I guess the question asked was about buying and living in an ex council property. The advice re 'making no difference in the next 10/20 years and they are all turning into private residencies'was what I was seeking clarity on. is that referring to the issue of selling later? and whether the maintenance costs would still apply if privately owned throughout or seen as more 'desirable' as there would be no council tenants. Would communal areas still have to be maintained and refurbished by the private residents anyway?

[Otta]

In the place we're hoping to buy, , we'll pay ?1100 a year service charge which covers building insurance and maintenance.

[ianjm]

How do you find out what percentage are privately owned? I am mainly just being nosy about my neighbours (LL Estate which has always seemed quiet and well maintained!), wondered if this information is freely available somewhere?

[PeckhamRose]

Please don't imagine people who rent are less 'nice' than those who buy.

[Otta]

I don't think that (if that was aimed my way?).

I just think they're the lucky ones, and I wish I was a council tennant paying council / HA rates. If I was, I wouldn't be buying at all.

[the-e-dealer]

If it is More Council then you are more likely to get very expensive repair schemes that are mandatory. The 'Lease Holders Scandal'

[PeckhamRose]

No Otta it wasn't aimed at you I was just saying.

As for wishing to be a Council Tenant, have you witnessed someone who is newly bereaved when their last parent dies, and then because they are not allowed to inherit the tenancy, they are then at that moment also now homeless?

Have you suffered an illness and then threatened with losing your home as a tenant because Housing won't pay your rent while you can't find a job and ATOS tell you you are able to work so Housing, Social Services now won't pay you a thing? And the nature of your illness means you are also depressed so you are just left with no support? Of course this happens with housebuyers too, but please do not imagine it is better and safer to be a council tenant. And then of course you are placed where you are placed and maybe also now have to pay the bedroom tax. Oh the joys....

I never take for granted how lucky I am to be in my situation of owning my flat. But so many people are now being screwed by the state and others have no idea.

[ianjm]

PeckhamRose, if that was at me then let me clear up my muddy phrasing - I wasn't meaning to imply any correlation between higher ownership levels and the estate being nicer. I actually have no idea what mix there is on the LL Estate and was only being nosy. I've seen Council Estates in London (and indeed in Southwark) that are admittedly not that nice but the ones I know in Dulwich (Lordship Lane and Dog Kennel Hill) have always seemed very quiet and without problems.

In fact I'd often wondered if the opposite correlation might exist, does a council take their eye off the ball with regards to maintenance if they're only acting as a landlord to an estate of privately owned flats, or are they a good landlord?

[Pugwash]

I know someone who purchased a 3 bed flat on the Kingswood estate, when the estate was refurbished, the cost to owner occupiers was ?33,000 - they could not pay it so have a legal charge put on it by Southwark Council. Any prospective buyer is going to see that entry on the land registry and have 2 nd thoughts as to whether the same thing will happen to them

[PeckhamRose]

I wasn't aiming at anyone, but just saying it because so few people realise what life is like for some people. Probably in the wrong area, because so few of you are Daily Mail readers.

[aquarius moon]

Great post PeckhamRose.

[Otta]

PeckhamRose, all those things you mentioned a couple of posts back can easily happen to tgose people renting privately or buying their own place.

I stand by my earlier post, if the council offered me abd my family a place I'd jump at it and save a fortune.

I have several mates in council / HA places, and can't help feeling a bit bitter. Not against them, but because there is such a shortage of council housing.