Very OT - Council Right To Buy

[John]

Sorry to be so far Off Topic but you guys seem to know a lot about a lot! Crawling over now I will begin.

My mum is looking at buying her council house, she knows all about the discount structure etc. She had the valuer round some time in November last year, she rang up today to find out what the hold up was on getting her valuation figure and the nice young lady on the 'phone said "You've only been waiting two months this can take 10 to 12". My mum said she only wanted to know the value so she could look at her finances, and the lady said "That's how long it takes to get your valuation, 10 to 12 months".

I cannot believe this to be right , as you know if you put your house on the market with a high street agent you get a valuation figure in a matter of days, or even an idea at the time of their visit!

Has anybody gone down the right to buy route recently and does it take that long, or are the council just getting another 12 months rent before they sell?

If it helps she lives in Leeds, West Yorkshire.

TIA

John

[Mary Fisher]

Youngest son has had his offer for an ex-council house (privately owned) accepted and a mortgage granted. But he has to wait for up to ten months for the Court of Protection to decide that it's the right price and no-one's fleecing the owner. That's in Leeds too but I don't think it's a regional thing.

He's just been on the phone asking my advice, his solicitor has told him that the CoP won't speak to him as an individual, everything has to go through her.

Sorry, off topic I know and not an answer to your question, just a vaguely similar frustration.

Mary

[Sneezy]

"John" wrote in news:c287bs$7eo$ [e-mail]:

My parents are in the middle of the nightmare. They live in Leeds too. It seems that the Council has little regard for the legal system :) They do take ages - badger them often!

[John]

It's not the legal system they seem to have the problem with (yet!), it's getting a valuation to my Mum, 12 months I tell you, 12 months, you could build a house in less time. She/we are going to see her local councillor's surgery on Monday.

Ta

John

[Sneezy]

"John" wrote in news:c28air$7jr$ [e-mail]:

It's being that long (seriously) since my parents started the process that I can't remember all the gory details. There's a whole set of deadlines within which various things have to be done - the Council exceeded all of them :) Hence the legal system comment. Just have to hang in there, badger them and never trust them to do anything right.

[Peter Crosland]

A totally different situation to that the OP asked about and has no relevance except the frustration level.

The time quoted is outrageous. Seeing the local councillor is a good start. Seeing the CAB would worthwhile. I seem to recall there is statutory time limit but could be wrong.

[Peter Crosland]

Take a look here.

Google is your friend!

[Mary Fisher]

I admitted that.

We only have one and she's not interested - giving up in May and overworked. Another has died and the other is Lord Mayor so can't get involved in politics!

I've worked there!

I don't think there is. A neighbour had to wait for two and a half years and then only resolved her problem by approaching the CoP personally. I've found a CoP advice number for son, he'll try tomorrow.

It IS DIY after a fashion ...

Mary