Looking for former one-bedroom council properties

Published: 3 February 2022

Former council homes in Exeter could be bought back by the local authority as part of an initiative to end rough sleeping in the city.

Exeter City Council is keen to hear from leaseholders who currently own ex-Exeter City Council one-bedroom properties.

The Council would like to speak to the home owners if they are considering selling the property.

Selling to the Council could save the home owners money, as they would not have to pay estate agent fees.

In Exeter there is currently a shortage of homes, particularly one-bedroom properties.

Cllr Ruth Williams, Lead Councillor for Supporting People, said it was easier to target former council homes rather than other properties on the market.

“Experience shows that there are often significant issues with the freehold elements in private ownership. It’s easier for us to bring former council homes back into our ownership.”

Cllr Williams said that enabling the Council to buy these homes will go some way to ending rough sleeping in the city.

The homes would go to people who have a current or recent history of rough sleeping and in the future will form part of the Council’s wider temporary accommodation offer.

To find out more about how to get involved and sell a one-bedroom property back to the Council, contact Chris Stocks on 01392 265408 or email Chris.stocks@exeter.gov.uk