Alexandra Road Housing/Rowley Way

[Reno]

The BBC are doing a programme for Rip Off Britain about how lenders won't loan on ex-council flats like The Alexandra Rd Estate/Rowley Way because they claim that these flats aren't marketable. This is of course total nonsense as the enquiries on just this thread show. For anybody who wasn't able to get a mortgage and who would be interested in participate in the programme (and meet Gloria Hunninford !), then drop me a PM or an email if I gave you my email address.

 

[marty21]

I think take up of RTB is generally lower on Estates than for Street Properties (I'll state an interest here - I work for a local authority and I'm against RTB) . I think the issue at Rowley way and another Camden estate of similar vintage (Maiden Lane) is the concrete construction? Lenders are reluctant to fund mortgages on concrete flats? I don't think it is an issue of marketing, both are fairly central (in Zone 2)

There is the issue of 'living on an estate' which also puts people off - and there are tensions that do occur between leaseholders and tenants.

 

[Reno]

I think take up of RTB is generally lower on Estates than for Street Properties (I'll state an interest here - I work for a local authority and I'm against RTB) . I think the issue at Rowley way and another Camden estate of similar vintage (Maiden Lane) is the concrete construction? Lenders are reluctant to fund mortgages on concrete flats? I don't think it is an issue of marketing, both are fairly central (in Zone 2)

There is the issue of 'living on an estate' which also puts people off - and there are tensions that do occur between leaseholders and tenants.

We have a recent survey to prove that the concrete is fine. It was poured on site and is high quality. The problem is usually with prefab concrete brought to a site. I've never been aware of tensions between council tenants and leaseholders. We have a strong TRA where we support each other and leaseholders and tenants are generally on the same page. There is a strong sense of community here.

If anything it is lenders refusing to lend who are creating a problem on the estate. Our flats are popular enough that leaseholders can sell to cash buyers (which disproves the claim that our flats are unmarketable). Unfortunately many of them are buy-to-let investors who move in short term tenants who often have little stake in the community or the building. We'd rather have people who want to live here because they like the architecture and the sense of community. Because of this thread I've gotten lots of enquiries from people who want to live here, so many are not put off by living on a council estate.

I've heard all the theoretical reasons for why lenders won't lend here and they are not backed up by any facts. They just apply very rough and ignorant criteria across the board. That's why Gloria Hunninford is on the case !

 

[Belushi]

Good to see you back around these parts Reno

 

[Reno]

Thanks, call it a guest appearance.

 

[qishan]

Thanks, call it a guest appearance.

Hi, Reno,

Good to see you still liking the flat and the community after this many years.
I am considering buying one of the flat in the estate from a friend, it has reception at 1st floor, then 2 bedrooms at ground level connecting to the garden, I don't know if yours is a ground level flat, or maybe someone else can suggest, I am a bit concerned about bedrooms on Ground/Lower Ground Level, is it quite cold? would damp be a problem? Also you mentioned there are cockroach, I also heard there were rats, would it be more problematic if it is a ground floor flat? I mean I am an architect myself and there is no doubt I give very high credit to the architecture and sense of community etc, but buying property is different, I want to know all the practical issues to know what I am dealing with.

And if you know any plan for major works in near future, please let me know

Also anyone have any news on mortgage lenders?

Thanks!

 

[Bethanie dee]

Alexandra Road Housing/Rowley Way NW8

Does anybody live or know someone who lives on the Alexandra Road Estate in Rowley Way, Kilburn ?

http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Alexandra_Road_Housing.html

I had friends who were council tenants there in the 80's and I always loved the building. The pictures on the site above don't quite do it justice. Walking around in there feels like being in a 70's Sci-Fi film like Rollerball or Logan's Run.

I'm now considering buying a flat on the estate, but I'd like to talk to someone who knows the place well. I've heard various things, from the place having a community spirit that is rare in council estates to it being overrun with teenage gangs. From visiting there in the 80's I tend towards the former, but maybe it has changed.

I'd also like to know if any major repair work has recently been undertaken or is planned in the near future.

I grew up on this estate my aunt lived there it's amazing. The community is different to what you would expect. The houses/flats are lovely well our one was.
Where it is situated it is great. I was a child and this was recently (I'm 13) but it's great for families. We lived in 37b but recently my aunt passed (medical condition throughout life) and they moved.
I grew up here and may I say it was great!

 

[Bethanie dee]

farnaz


Hey
I'm going to visit a tree bedroom flat in Rowley way to buy. and I realy need your advice. I have a 4 years old son and I'm concidering to find a good place to raise him as well. Is Rowly way a good area for a child?
many thanks

Great

 

[Bethanie dee]

Hi, Reno,

Good to see you still liking the flat and the community after this many years.
I am considering buying one of the flat in the estate from a friend, it has reception at 1st floor, then 2 bedrooms at ground level connecting to the garden, I don't know if yours is a ground level flat, or maybe someone else can suggest, I am a bit concerned about bedrooms on Ground/Lower Ground Level, is it quite cold? would damp be a problem? Also you mentioned there are cockroach, I also heard there were rats, would it be more problematic if it is a ground floor flat? I mean I am an architect myself and there is no doubt I give very high credit to the architecture and sense of community etc, but buying property is different, I want to know all the practical issues to know what I am dealing with.

And if you know any plan for major works in near future, please let me know

Also anyone have any news on mortgage lenders?

Thanks!

Ours was ground level and it's not cold the only thing is the trains can be a pain.

 

[Bethanie dee]

Hi, Reno,

Good to see you still liking the flat and the community after this many years.
I am considering buying one of the flat in the estate from a friend, it has reception at 1st floor, then 2 bedrooms at ground level connecting to the garden, I don't know if yours is a ground level flat, or maybe someone else can suggest, I am a bit concerned about bedrooms on Ground/Lower Ground Level, is it quite cold? would damp be a problem? Also you mentioned there are cockroach, I also heard there were rats, would it be more problematic if it is a ground floor flat? I mean I am an architect myself and there is no doubt I give very high credit to the architecture and sense of community etc, but buying property is different, I want to know all the practical issues to know what I am dealing with.

And if you know any plan for major works in near future, please let me know

Also anyone have any news on mortgage lenders?

Thanks!

Also around December we moved so ours should be up I think. 37b great family home and perfect condition.

 

[Reno]

Hi, Reno,

Good to see you still liking the flat and the community after this many years.
I am considering buying one of the flat in the estate from a friend, it has reception at 1st floor, then 2 bedrooms at ground level connecting to the garden, I don't know if yours is a ground level flat, or maybe someone else can suggest, I am a bit concerned about bedrooms on Ground/Lower Ground Level, is it quite cold? would damp be a problem? Also you mentioned there are cockroach, I also heard there were rats, would it be more problematic if it is a ground floor flat? I mean I am an architect myself and there is no doubt I give very high credit to the architecture and sense of community etc, but buying property is different, I want to know all the practical issues to know what I am dealing with.

And if you know any plan for major works in near future, please let me know

Also anyone have any news on mortgage lenders?

Thanks!

Hi Quishan,

Sorry, I'm not on here much anymore, hence the late reply. I live in a second floor one bedroom flat. I don't have a problem with cockroaches, but I get ant infestations every so often. Ant traps generally take care of those. I haven't seen rats, but I've had mice but not since I got a cat. Some flats get water leaks from above. It's the councils responsibility to fix those, but I've never heard of problems with damp. Thanks to the central heating system in the walls the flats are never cold, of anything they often are too warm as we have no control over the heating.

No news on the mortgage front, I'm afraid.

 

[Emmanuel Tib]

Hello,

I am also keen to buy a place in the estate and would like to ask a few questions to those who have lived or live there.

(1) Is there some external storage space, for instance underground in the parking? I have the impression that the flats don't have so much storage space for luggage, boxes, etc...

(2) For the flats on the train track side, do you hear the trains a lot? How often do they pass by and what time do they start and end every day?

(3) Still about the trains, do you hear them if you are on the other side of the estate?

(4) If anyone is thinking about selling, please let me know. I am looking for 2- or 3-bedroom flats!

Many thanks for your help!

Emmanuel

 

[killer b]

Sad to hear that Neave Brown, the architect of this fine development, had died.

Tributes paid to architecture ‘giant’ Neave Brown

 

[Reno]

Just an update because people still contact me about buying a flat on the estate and mortgages, as this thread keeps showing up on searches for the estate.

I sold my flat on Rowley Way in late 2016 to move to Berlin. Last I’ve heard, you still can’t get a mortgage on a flat on the estate and there is no way around it. Lenders regard the flats as impossible to market and yet there is lots of demand when flats there go on the market. I had no problems selling mine to a cash buyer.

Otherwise I can’t help much anymore. I’m still in touch with a couple of people who live there but I’m going to keep less and less up to date with what’s going on. I’m not the best person to ask because my life is somewhere else now.

 

[TruXta]

Just an update because people still contact me about buying a flat on the estate and mortgages, etc.

I sold my flat on Rowley Way in late 2016 to move to Berlin. Last I’ve heard, you still can’t get a mortgage on a flat on the estate and there is no way around it. Lenders regard the flats as impossible to market and yet there is lots of demand when flats there go on the market. I had no problems selling mine to a cash buyer.

Otherwise I can’t help much anymore. I’m still in touch with a couple of people who live there but I’m going to keep less and less up to date. I’m not the best person to ask because my life is somewhere else now.

Miss seeing your posts in the film forum

 

[Reno]

Miss seeing your posts in the film forum

Thanks TruXta, I‘ve decided to stay away from forums and social media as much as possible. I still occasionally lurk here, maybe I’ll return one day.

 

[TruXta]

Thanks TruXta, I‘ve decided to stay away from forums and social media as much as possible. I still occasionally lurk here, maybe I’ll return one day.

hope you're enjoying your new life.

 

[Reno]

hope you're enjoying your new life.

I am, Berlin is treating me well !