Has anyone applied to buy their council house recently or do you know anyone who has?

My parents in law have done so but the process takes so long and when you ring the council, they won't tell you over the phone, just telling you to wait.

Its a 2 bed semi at Gleadless - anyone any ideas on what the value might come back at?

Years ago someone I know put a bid in for their council house and the valuation included improvements he had made himself!!

Basically, he had to buy his own improvements. Talk about a rip-off!!

We started buying our house April last year (April 3rd rings a bell) and completed the purchase on March 5th THIS YEAR.

However, the price was extremely good, and our surveyor said Sheffield Council always appears to give out conservative valuations.

As long as they have been in the house a few years, you can't lose really anyway.

Just be prepared for a long, frustrating purchase, the council and their solicitors move at their own (verrrry slooooow) pace.

NB Our 3 bed semi was valued at £52000... the average house here was going for about £70000 at the time, so taking increasing values into account you will probably be looking at the low to mid 60's I would have thought.

I have heard a rumour,only a rumour mind, that when you buy your house the staff that are employed in the housing dept cannot wait to move a problem family next d oor to you given half a chance.It seems they think that every house sold lessens their future employement prospects.