Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Housing Association flat

6 replies

Fifi80 · 10/05/2023 10:10

Hi,

I'm in the process of flat searching in SE London.

Can anyone say what are the cons and pros of a flat in a housing association building?

And any insights on lease extension (91 years) with a housing association?

Many thanks!

OP posts:
DrySherry · 10/05/2023 10:49

Cons - the other people in the building
Pros - they are cheaper (see point above for reason)

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 10/05/2023 10:50

Are you buying it from the HA or a private seller?

Fifi80 · 10/05/2023 10:52

Yes, indeed much cheaper, now I understand. Thanks for the insights.

OP posts:
Fifi80 · 10/05/2023 10:53

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz Thanks! From a private seller.

OP posts:
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 10/05/2023 11:07

Pros -
They'll be shit hot on things like elec testing, fire recctification works etc. Probs got a basic redecoration schedule etc. They'll manage all communal facilities (repairs, lighting, cleaning etc).

You'll be a leaseholder, so will pay the HA a monthly contribution towards communal services and a sinking fund for future major works. These are regulated, with caps on how much they can pass onto you, and at what rate.

You'll have a willing buyer if and when you come to sell, as they will likely buy it back from you (albeit not at market value) if when you come to sell, you are struggling.

You'll be able to liaise with the HA about noise complaints, asb etc, without having to deal with a remote agency who manage the lease.

It's possible you will be able to book repairs and access their range of repair staff, at a cost, for works inside your property.

Cons:-
Mix of tenures means mix of people and everyone living on top of one another can be quite suffocating / challenging when different people behave differently.

Less attractive. Unless you are really into that sort of communist cement genre, they aren't all that pretty (though I absoloutely love the look of a lot of HA builds).

Monthly service charges would frustrate me as a home owner as they do fluctuate annually.

Fifi80 · 10/05/2023 16:10

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz thank you for your informative reply. Very helpful. I appreciate that!

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page