Buying home on benefits

kidsareus

Can someone buy there council house if they are on benefits if someone has been a tenant for 30yrs 

calcotti

Your problem will be getting a mortgage if you need one as lenders are unlikely to lend to someone who only has benefits as their income.

Cher_Alumni

Hello @kidsareus

Scope have more information on getting a mortgage when your income is benefit-based.  As @calcotti mentioned, affordability is crucial here and it's worth considering:

The chances of getting a mortgage when your income consists solely of benefits are very low. The maximum loan to value available to people on benefits is usually 75% of the purchase price or value of the property.

If you have a partner who is working or you are also working, lenders will consider your benefits as part of the household income. Lenders may consider Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Support Group awards of at least 3 years. This varies from lender to lender.

Plus, are plans in place to finance the extra costs such as legal fees?

If you visit the Scope link above, it includes links to where to obtain independent financial advice and I would definitely advise doing this as a first step towards looking at buying a home.

Just to let you know, I've moved your thread to our Housing and independent living category to make it easier for others to find.  Please ask away with any other questions and good luck

kidsareus

Thank you for your advice this really helps as it’s for my sister she gets ESA PIP SDP support group and high rate she has been a council tenant and would get the maximum discount with right to buy for being a tenant for so long I don’t have the answers for her so I really appreciate your feedback ?