What happens to the houses landlords are selling up?

People might buy them, do them up or just let them rot (or rot further) or give them to their kids.
New council tax rules on empty dwellings might change this though.

Some are empty. Maybe the landlords are doing them up to sell.

A young family I know were recently given two months notice to leave the home they had rented for nearly ten years. They were good tenants never missed a payment and kept the house and garden looking lovely. The children had planted fruit bushes and veg. They were settled in primary school just a short walk away. Luckily the family did find another rented home but are paying much higher rent.

The eldest is eight she now understands the difference between owning a house and renting. She is now frightened the family could be moved on again or could end up with no home. The children are several miles from school so are taken there and to any after school activities by car. Parents are struggling and don't want to be forced to move schools.

The house they left is empty.

I'm guessing the landlords' intentions were to offload these properties before the CG T came to sting them. The trouble is the market has gone very slow, so there are now more properties for sale, but not enough people with the funds to buy them..

The flat above me (an ex council property) was bought by someone who purely bought it for profit.

Bodged the repairs, so it was constantly leaking into mine, and I had no way to contact him.

It had a variety of people in and out as tenants, and the last ones were vile.

He sold up, and it has now been bought by a single lady, who couldnt afford anywhere else.

Peace, at last!!

Not many houses up for sale around here.

No properties empty[apart from holiday homes], that I know of locally.

I suspect things are different in different areas?

Some properties nearing completion, that were previously barns etc.

Local Authorities can charge double Council Tax on empty properties. Some do and some don't. They all should.

It's a landlords dream around here.
Low budget, ex council housing for sale everywhere.

Someone I know was looking to buy as an investment, and pictured a quirky, small cottage in a rural area.

When we began speaking though, she realised the profit would be about three times more if she bought here.
Not quirky, down-market, little boxes.

MissAdventure

It's a landlords dream around here.
Low budget, ex council housing for sale everywhere.

Someone I know was looking to buy as an investment, and pictured a quirky, small cottage in a rural area.

When we began speaking though, she realised the profit would be about three times more if she bought here.
Not quirky, down-market, little boxes.

In many rural areas there are restrictions on ex council properties that they can only be sold to people who have lived or worked in the area for over 3 years.

I know I'm unpopular for having bought my flat, but it really riles me when people come down from London and buy to let.

Depends who buys it surely.

Possibly, but my experiences of living below such a place shows me it never works out well.

Maybe the tenants?

Let’s not race to the bottom
People who bought houses to rent out took a risk or a business decision. If they sell, someone will buy them.
MissA you are not the problem. The problem was the LAs did not replace the housing stock not the scheme itself. Live happy in your own home and don’t let the bastards get you down

Most are sold to others to refurbish and live in, some are divided into multi occupancy

I'd forgotten about HMOs. So many people living in house shares. But that can't account for all of them. And the do up and refurbs? Young people can't afford to do that theses days from what I read.

There needs to be a new lease for families that give them more security because with children moving frequently is very disruptive, singles or couples can move easily families cant

We’re selling our rental but not because of CGT but because of tenants who don’t pay rent and wreck the place . We had 10 years of lovely tenants and no problems, but the last ones were a nightmare, hence selling . We’ve sold to a couple who love the area.

Around here, ex council flats are often very good buys. Solidly built and more spacious than many new builds, in pleasant green areas with very good public transport nearby.

We have just bought one for our autistic son. He will never be able to be 100% independent and it is near our own house. It was originally a council house, built around 65 years ago and very solid. We are in the process of having it upgraded to be as suitable for his needs as possible and then he can move in, hopefully before December. It seems better to do this now rather than wait for the inevitable to happen. Most importantly, he will be in familiar surroundings. We have another son and daughter. They are aware of what we are doing and they both approve of the plans. They also know that they will be treated equally, whether they need help in the near future or as an inheritance. It will also be one less burden for them after our deaths.

That's an excellent use for an ex council place, I think.

Probably be turned into Houses Of Multiple Occupation. The housing crisis is so desperate now that beggars can't be choosers - it's either put up with being crammed in like sardines and pay over-the-odds for the 'privilege'........or live on the streets.

Music girl we are looking into buying a small flat for our disabled son for similar reasons. He will never be fully independent but hopefully we still have a few fit ( ish) years to support him adapting to living in his own place.

I find it incredible even after 45 years that the government ever allowed or encouraged the sale of council houses.
And without any obligation to build any more.
It just…😓

I suspect many are being sold to others to modernize/ redecorate - move into a nice clean home. Some may be given to family needing accommodation (now before gran passes).

People are fearful of new CGT rules, perhaps?

They can be modernised without moving the tenants. We have had windows/kitchens/bathrooms replaced and carried on with life pretty much as normal. Some tenant will also decorate rooms. They enjoy getting a nursery ready for a new baby like anyone else.

Families should not be ordered out with just two months notice. If rent is not being paid and the property is being damaged that's different of course. That is easily spotted when the agent does an inspection.

I think a six months notice period for a family with school age children needs to be introduced.