The application process
Please note: We are currently not accepting new applications to purchase redundant spaces. This is a temporary measure to assist with resource constraints around processing applications. We apologies for any inconvenience caused and aim to restore this service at the earliest opportunity.
Stage 1: Applying
You need to make an initial application to buy a redundant space and there is a fee of £250 for this.
This fee includes processing and assessing your application as well as consultation.
Stage 2: Consultation
We will also consult the other residents in your building about your plans for the space you intend to purchase. We must also ask the area housing office which manages your building to confirm they have no objections to the area being sold and that it is a redundant communal space.
We will also consult our surveyors to ensure that there are no structural reasons or health and safety reasons as to why the area cannot be sold.
There are three possible outcomes to your application:
- Successful.
- Successful, but with imposed conditions.
- Unsuccessful.
If your application is successful with imposed conditions or unsuccessful, we will write to explain why.
If your application is successful or successful with conditions, your application will proceed to the next stage.
Stage 3: Survey and valuation
You will be required to pay a fee for a valuation and survey to be carried out on the area. All valuations are carried out at current market value.
Stage 4: Sale of notification
Once we have received the valuation report, we will send you a notification of sale including the price and any conditions of the sale. You will have 12 weeks to decide whether you wish to proceed with the sale or not.
Stage 5: Plans
You will be required to pay a fee for new plans for your property to include the area that you are buying. You will also be required to engage a solicitor to act on your behalf at this stage.
Stage 6: Legal
Once we have all the necessary paperwork, we will instruct our legal department to complete the sale on our behalf. They will surrender your old lease and redraft a new lease to incorporate the space that you are purchasing, and any conditions imposed on the sale.
Stage 7: Completion
At this stage you will now be the owner of the redundant communal space. You will also assume full responsibility for the space, as with the rest of your property under the terms of your lease.