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Original poster

would you do up your council house?

21 replies

Thighdentitycrisis · 10/04/2021 23:08

Can’t afford to buy it (central London) But do have savings which would help me with a deposit on the property ladder somewhere else. I think I want to stay here though as I have a secure job and it’s a lovely area and property.
I could spend a chunk making it a lot nicer - new kitchen and flooring, bathroom - or should I save for a rainy day/pension and just keep living in as it is (basic but tired)?

OP posts:

Izzy24 · 10/04/2021 23:12

If you’ve got security of tenancy I’d do it up and enjoy it .

MegaClutterSlut · 10/04/2021 23:21

If you plan on staying, I'd do it up

Perdita40 · 10/04/2021 23:22

I live in a council property, just experienced an unexpected little bit of money. I've done a bit of work & ive saved the rest because I too would like to buy...

I've been told though that if you keep the receipts for what you spend to improve the property that the council deduct this when you buy... Might not be the same with every council but worth researching x

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General money

CausingChaos2 · 10/04/2021 23:24

I wouldn’t pay for a new kitchen and bathroom in someone else’s investment, and definitely not if you won’t be in the position to buy that property.

GreyhoundG1rl · 10/04/2021 23:26

I've been told though that if you keep the receipts for what you spend to improve the property that the council deduct this when you buy...
Do you mean deduct it from the purchase price? Why on earth would they do that?

womaninatightspot · 10/04/2021 23:26

If you replace the kitchen the council can charge you at the end of your tenancy to put a basic one back in. Same goes for doors, light fittings etc. They want them the same as it's easier for maintenance.

LonginesPrime · 10/04/2021 23:29

I'd definitely make sure your pension is sorted first, OP, especially if you're planning to continue renting into retirement (as am I - nothing wrong with that as long as you've planned for it!).

Then I'd probably compromise and do the few top things to the house that will really improve my quality of life there, with any remainder going into the pension pot.

rainbowthoughts · 10/04/2021 23:30

I know someone who put in a brand new bathroom and 2 years later when the council were upgrading the properties - they ripped out the kitchen and put in one of theirs.

waterandlemonjuice · 10/04/2021 23:31

God no

rainbowthoughts · 10/04/2021 23:34

Bathroom ffs, they ripped out the bathroom. I have no idea where kitchen came from

MummyInTheNecropolis · 10/04/2021 23:34

I’ve been in my council house for over a decade, I’ve made loads of improvements in that time, it wouldn’t be very pleasant living here if I hadn’t. I’ll probably never be in a position to buy but will be living here for a very long time so it’s well worth it to me.

osbertthesyrianhamster · 10/04/2021 23:34

I have! Definitely. Was going to stay there, secure tenancy, why not make it enjoyable?

Charm23 · 10/04/2021 23:39

No, I would not attend any money on a house I don't own. I'm reluctant to spend money on our current house as I know we'll be moving in a few years.

CornishTiger · 10/04/2021 23:50

@GreyhoundG1rl

I've been told though that if you keep the receipts for what you spend to improve the property that the council deduct this when you buy... Do you mean deduct it from the purchase price? Why on earth would they do that?

Yes this is correct depending on tenancy type and reason it is ending.

www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1994/613/made

Perdita40 · 10/04/2021 23:56

@GreyhoundG1rl

I've been told though that if you keep the receipts for what you spend to improve the property that the council deduct this when you buy... Do you mean deduct it from the purchase price? Why on earth would they do that?

This was told through a friend that brought a property council, not something that I've looked into yet.

They had replaced the kitchen/ bathroom room so may not apply to normal decorating ...

GreyhoundG1rl · 10/04/2021 23:57

Thanks, Cornish. It doesn't apply when you actually exercise the right to buy, though? Why would anyone think they'd get a discount for improving the property in advance?!

QuestionEverythingOrBeASheep · 11/04/2021 00:06

@rainbowthoughts

I know someone who put in a brand new bathroom and 2 years later when the council were upgrading the properties - they ripped out the kitchen and put in one of theirs.

You do not need to accept an upgrade. I know a neighbour that did this. Replaced both as partner was a builder. A year later the HA wanted to upgrade it . they just declined. I on the other hand have a kitchen and bathroom both over 20 years old and they said it may be another 10 years before they replace them. I can't afford a proper upgrade but I'm doing what I can to make it nice. If I had the money I would make it home and put my own stamp on it. However with my HA you have to get permission just like private renting, otherwise they will charge you to change it back when you leave. I have no plans on leaving unless it's feet first. After being homeless (no fault of my own), I'm grateful to have my first secure roof over my head.

rainbowthoughts · 11/04/2021 07:45

You do not need to accept an upgrade. I know a neighbour that did this. Replaced both as partner was a builder. A year later the HA wanted to upgrade it . they just declined.

Perhaps the rule differ between the HA you know of and the local council I talk about, they absolutely did have to accept it.

Tumbleweed101 · 11/04/2021 07:49

Look into when your council/HA are planning to update kitchens and bathrooms and decide then. Since being in my property they’ve fitted a new kitchen, bathroom, boiler and heating system, rewired and put in new windows. A lot if the big stuff gets done and they actually put in a really nice kitchen and bathroom.

I would spend money on general decoration and carpets and flooring. If it is really awful you could contact them to see if they might do upgrades earlier.

It is worth putting money into a council property if you intend to stay as the tenancy is secure enough to be worth while making it into a home.
Very different from renting privately or on short term tenancies.

Original poster

Thighdentitycrisis · 11/04/2021 09:35

Thanks for all the replies with varied opinions

I have lived here about 20 years the kitchen and bathroom were refurbed about 15 years ago with the cheapest options, and I have done lots of decorating and upkeep over the years. I don’t think I will move and I’m secure. If I wait another 10 -15 years for a refurb my kitchen will be replaced again with something I would never put in.

It’s true that if you upgrade rooms and pay yourself and then buy the property you can deduct that from the valuation given by the council (ie what they will sell to you for) otherwise you would be paying twice for your new kitchen. Because you have upgraded to a higher spec they would have.

However, I cannot buy it as I live in central London and my property is valued at over 500k.

I wouldn’t be worrying about having to put things right on leaving the tenancy as I don’t intend to give it up it’s secure

I think the most sensible thing is to sort the pension and do some work on the flat. But my heart will break knowing I will never be able to live in the country.

OP posts:

BerryPieandCustard · 11/04/2021 09:51

I purchased my council property several years ago. I was unexpectedly left some money by a distant relative which gave me enough for a large deposit and a small mortgage. Prior to this I hadn’t been in a position to buy so was planning on staying very long term so spent money on brand new fencing, new bathroom suite and tiling. I would have then moved onto replacing the kitchen worktops and tiles. When I filled out the forms it asked in one section what work I had done and it reduced the price of sale slightly (£4000).
If you’re looking to stay for a long time it may be worth it but is not you will get charged to return any amendments to basic.
My friend in a council property changed kitchen cupboard doors and worktop she stored the original in her garage for the 3 years she was there and put them back on moving on.

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