Would you buy an ex council flat

31 replies

FTBldn · 31/10/2024 22:32

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/147214010

Ftb in London, and found this flat which from brief pictures looks to be well presented for the price and so central (0.2m from Kennington station). I’ve not viewed it or anything but pretty sure I’ve walked past it before and area feels very safe

Would it be trickier to sell though?
or better to go for a ‘nicer’ flat but further out eg zone 3

budget of 380k, ideally looking for a 2bed flat

Check out this 2 bedroom apartment for sale on Rightmove

2 bedroom apartment for sale in Kennington Lane, London, SE11 for £350,000. Marketed by Good Move, Leeds

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/147214010

OP posts:

Papricat · 01/11/2024 19:21

Bob Marley played footy on the common grounds and the London Rastafaria temple used to sit in front of the towers on St Agnes place. Truly a legendary place.

cestlavielife · 01/11/2024 19:23

INVESTORS
CASH BUYERS ONLY
AVAILABLE WITH A TENANT IN SITU

So if you are not an investor no

HoppityBun · 01/11/2024 19:25

Depends when it was built. 1959s Parker Morris standard council houses are fantastic. More recent ones, particularly those with lifts and massive refurbishment costs looming are ones to steer well clear of

RulaLenskasHair · 01/11/2024 19:37

Tupster · 01/11/2024 16:40

I lived in an ex-council flat in London for 12 years, and I simply don't recognise the issues some people (who have probably no experience of actually owning ex-council) are talking about above. My service charges were not high at all (too long ago to remember what it was) and actually the council is very highly regulated about what it can charge for major works, so you are actually far safer from unreasonable demands for money than you are with unregulated private management companies. They have to get a certain number of bids, prove that they are reputable and not brown paper envelope deals, as an owner you have the right to raise objections if you think the costs are unreasonable.

That said, mine was a relatively small brick-built block, with no lift and I understand lift maintenance is one of the biggest costs that can come and hit you in a block of flats. Admittedly you have no control of what is done when with council blocks - so you can't argue that the roof, double-glazing or whatever is done sooner rather than later, but you do get a lot of warning of any upcoming works because the processes are so convoluted around having to have notice of intent, notice they are going out for bids - it goes on quite a long time (years!) before the work is done and then you are billed afterwards.

I also found that having the council as the freeholder was brilliant for availability and accessibility. As a leaseholder I had access to the same helplines etc as the council tenants, and the council have maintenance teams that can fix issues quickly without having to go around finding private contractors and all that complexity. When the flat above me had a leak that came into my kitchen, we both contacted the council who just sent their maintenance guys round within hours and sorted.

Council flats are always less popular, which means you get less when you sell than you would for a private flat of a similar size/location. But you will also have bought it at a lower price in the first place, so it's not really the right comparison to make. As above, you just need to think of them as "good value" for the buyer.

Also my experience. People get very het up about the council being the freeholder but it’s largely fine. So far I’ve had way more trouble / charges with a private freeholder, who would charge to read emails about maintenance issues.

Daisy03 · 01/11/2024 21:33

Also in addition to everything else, is this a one bed with the living room being used as a bedroom or am I missing something?

CellophaneFlower · 02/11/2024 04:04

Daisy03 · 01/11/2024 21:33

Also in addition to everything else, is this a one bed with the living room being used as a bedroom or am I missing something?

I don't think so? I think it's split level and quite a decent size.

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