After buying a council property

[Ric.ror]

My Mum bought her flat approx 6 months ago - she had lived in it for approx 30 years. After falling - again - today she is thinking of moving to a ground floor property. The most obvious solution would be for her to rent out her flat and use the income to contribute to her rent for a ground floor flat (if poss in sheltered accom) - would that be acceptable to the council

[Jemisa]

I don't think it has anything to do with the Council anymore. Your mum has bought the property so its up to her what she does with it.
If she still was a council tennant the council probably would find her suitable accomadation. Buying that flat was not a good idea for an elderly lady.
The council have now wiped their hands of her.

[ummmm]

Does she have a mortgage on the flat?

[jackthehat]

I think you'll need to establish whether there are any covenants in place. It used to be the case that if a council property had been purchased, it couldn't be sold on for 3 years.

[jackthehat]

<dangnabit>
Whether there are any such restrictions on renting it out ought to be investigated, too.

[Ric.ror]

Firstly - she does not have a mortgage - she paid cash
Maybe it was not a good idea but she has been so very reluctant to move to a downstairs flat as she is more worried about break-ins.
Not sure about the covenants
She wont want to sell it just rent it out

[hc4361]

Different councils have different terms and conditions. Check with the council.
Renting out can be harrowing at worst, stressful at best. Will she use an agent?
She will need to keep proper accounts for the taxman and take out landlord's insurance.

[Jemisa]

If she moves to sheltered accomodation there will be security there anyway. And may I add that will be the least of her worries.
I hope you and others will see her through all this as moving from somewhere she knows and loves is very stressful.
I know because last year I moved from a house I'd been in for over 20 years to a bungalow and its 30 miles away. My daughter took on most of the burden because it was all making me ill.
I'm settled now but its taken time.
Good Luck. Jem

[DEN53]

As Jackthehat has said - some councils stipulate that the property cannot be resold for a certain amount of years. As your Mum only bought it 6 months ago, this may be a problem. Best to check it out first.

Otherwise the only sheltered accommodation would be private as it would be a problem to get back onto the council list for this type of housing. There are some lovely retirement apartments in complexes now, perhaps that would be worth looking into.