There may be unexpected costs incurred when buying a former council flat, according to an industry body.

A spokesperson for the Chartered Institute of Housing advises those considering doing so to check their contract before going through with the sale.

Where part of a block is still rented and part privately owned, the situation becomes "quite complicated", the organisation asserts.

Costs may be shared between the council and private owners, with secured home loans a possible means of meeting such demands on finances.

"If you were replacing windows in a block of flats, as a council you wouldn't just replace the ones that you owned," the spokesperson explains.

"The person who owned the property would probably have to fund the process for that particular part of the building," he adds.

Secured home loans could provide the necessary funds for doing so if such a situation were to arise unexpectedly.

Meanwhile, ongoing costs such as garden maintenance may also be levied in part against the owners of flats.ADNFCR-1287-ID-18336322-ADNFCR

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