I have been living in my Council house for 26 years and I would like to buy it. What do I have to do?
As you have lived at the property for so long you are eligible to buy your Council house at the appropriate discount – calculated on the length of time you have occupied the property – and capped at £16,000. Contact the Council who will arrange for the property to be inspected by their Valuer. They will then issue you with an offer notice containing the terms on which they are prepared to sell you the Freehold Interest. This will also quote the appropriate level of discount which they are offering you. If these terms are acceptable, you need to instruct solicitors to act on your behalf in the purchase and respond to the Council formally accepting the offer made.
Please be aware that a proportion of this discount will have to be repaid if you dispose of the property within five years of your purchase, and it is only the Council Tenant who has occupied the property during the qualifying period who will be entitled to acquire the Freehold Interest under the Right to Buy legislation and benefit from the discount.
* Emyr Pierce is Managing Partner of Emyr Pierce Solicitors in Rhiwbina, Cardiff, Western Mail Conveyancer of the Year, specialising in Domestic and Commercial Property. Contact www.emyrpierce.co.uk or email law@emyrpierce.co.uk