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Original poster

If your grandparents live in a council house, do you automatically get it when they die?

333 replies

softplay999 · 15/08/2021 11:34

My partner is sure that he will inherit his grandparents council flat when they pass away.

He did live there for over a year previously and this is why he thinks he will get it.

I think this is completely not true, but I actually have no idea. Can anyone please help?

OP posts:
Standrewsschool · 15/08/2021 13:26

Does he think he will inherit the tenancy, and therefore the rent payments? Or does he think he will inherit the flat, and therefore will own it outright?

You need to speak to the council directly or check the tenancy agreement.

Original poster
softplay999 · 15/08/2021 13:31

@Farevalah

Theoretical question - If he was on the tenancy and 'inherited' it, could he then purchase the property at a very low price and then sell it on? Would imagine there'd be a hefty profit in London.

(never rented but just curious!)

It's worth at least 500k , it's a 2 bedroom flat in a rough area. It's unbelievable
OP posts:
Original poster
softplay999 · 15/08/2021 13:33

@Imnothereforthedrama

I think maybe I have mistaken him and he means take over the tenancy.

Oh well that’s different , you’d still pay rent etc but if it’s a bigger house / cheaper rent etc then I can see why you’d want to but I don’t think next of kin get the house inherited unless they already live there .

I wouldn't want to live there. Neither would he
OP posts:
mam0918 · 15/08/2021 13:34

No you cannot inherate a council house even if you live there if you are not the named person on the 'lease' you are getting evicted.

The only way to inherate the house if if the grandparent buy it off the council and leave it to him.

Original poster
softplay999 · 15/08/2021 13:34

@LopsidedWombat

OP hasn't suggested that he has any dubious intentions, only that he has some funny ideas about the way it works. If he's still listed as a tenant and did subsequently inherit the flat as a sole tenant I presume it would all become clear when they asked for evidence of his living there which he would tell them he hasn't for five years and that would be the end of it?
Absolutely! Thank you!
OP posts:
Winemewhynot · 15/08/2021 13:34

Blinded by poundsigns isn’t he 🙄

Why would someone who was once named on a tenancy of a council property be given ownership of it by the council on the death of the tenants?!

It’s not monopoly mate 😂 although I shouldn’t laugh he seems a bit simple!

WingingItSince1973 · 15/08/2021 13:34

My uncle lived with his parents all his life. When they died his 50 years in that council house meant nothing and he was moved out to a tiny flat. Unless his name is on the tenancy then there's no chance. Plus the house might be too big for him anyway and the council can allocate it more appropriately.

30scrisis · 15/08/2021 13:34

I work in housing and no he definitely will not 'inherit' the property. He can be on the tenancy and living there, and remain living there if they pass away but this would be if he wasn't living with/currently had a mortgage with you. He sounds deluded. He cannot just 'inherit' the property and then sublet it! He currently has no rights over the property at all. If he was put on the tenancy now to try and achieve this, chances are he would be caught out - especially if the GP's are claiming housing benefit and IF right to buy gets brought back in and he attempts to purchase it, it could potentially be seen as a contrived tenancy.

Eviethyme · 15/08/2021 13:36

Sorry but I couldn't be with someone so stupid.

Gingerkittykat · 15/08/2021 13:37

@softplay999

I really don't understand why he thinks he will get it. Or why he thinks he is in the right too
He's probably heard some vague story about people inheriting council tenancies and it has grown arms and legs in his mind. If he had still been living with his grandad when he died then there is a chance that he could have inherited like that.

Tell him council properties in London are as rare as hens teeth so there is no way they would be giving them to someone who is already housed.

TheQueef · 15/08/2021 13:38

Are you in Scotland 30's? RTB and RTA still exist in England.

Original poster
softplay999 · 15/08/2021 13:39

@Eviethyme

Sorry but I couldn't be with someone so stupid.
We all have our types Wink
OP posts:
Winemewhynot · 15/08/2021 13:48

The corker for me is the ‘he’ll let his siblings live there whilst studying and then probably sell it on’

Like WTF 😂😂😂😂

Shanghaisprize · 15/08/2021 13:55

Are you in Scotland 30's? RTB and RTA still exist in England.

Well, except in the minds of those commenting that this could 'clearly' never happen, and that people are stupid for even thinking there may be a possibility of it Confused.

WorraLiberty · 15/08/2021 13:55

What's wrong with this bloke that he can't simply email the council to clarify?

Hekatestorch · 15/08/2021 13:58

While he may not be planning on doing g something dubious.

The fact that he thinks it's possible to

To have a mortgage and live elsewhere
Still Inherit a tenancy
Have no need to be housed there
Then sublet the tenancy to family members

And do it all above board, doesn't make sense. At all.

Hekatestorch · 15/08/2021 14:02

RTB financed by op and her dp wouldn't be that simple though.

ginghamstarfish · 15/08/2021 14:02

I would hope not, how can anyone inherit council owned property? Obviously council should be allocated according to need only.

Spidey66 · 15/08/2021 14:06

Afaik, and I'm no expert its just something that happened to someone I know, even if it is passed on, it's the tenancy rather than the property, so as in the case of the person I knew, they were then rehoused.

But the person I knew was young, Labour 20, and lived there with her mother. On top of that, she had complex medical needs,

Your husband will get nowt!

earthyfire · 15/08/2021 14:06

No it doesn't unless his name is on the tenancy. My sister lived with my grandparents for years as their carers and when they both died my sister was made homeless.

Spidey66 · 15/08/2021 14:07

Labour 20 ? About 20!

Eralos · 15/08/2021 14:07

@Winemewhynot I know! 😂

Ofnorman · 15/08/2021 14:09

On the other hand, if he IS given it that easy (I know he won't be, I know the system is flawed but not THAT flawed) then he would let his brother and sister live in it rent free until they finish studying, and then sell it or rent it I suppose

Genuinely laughed out loud. Lord Bountiful Grin

TheWeeDonkey · 15/08/2021 14:18

@lunar1

You really don't get very long after a death to clear everything out either.
No you normally only get a couple of weeks if you're lucky from what I can remember.
Bluntness100 · 15/08/2021 14:19

Gosh what an odd thread. Does he have additional needs? I mean that gently. I think uou need to try to explain to him politely.that it’s rented accommodation and as he is not a tenant he has no right to it.

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