2 bed flat in London

[Moosehoosenew]

Hi,

Looking for any advice and suggestions.

My middle child has been renting in London for almost 2 years, works in finance so office likely to be in the city.
Started renting in Brixton now in East Clapham and even with a half decent landlord property she shares is not brilliant.

Thinking it is time with a bit of parental help to look at buying a 2 bed so she can sublet one room and have nicer place to stay than at present.

Budget up to 600k.

Being from up North I do not know the market well but have spent a fair amount of time working in London but only really know the centre.


Looking for freehold (or freehold possible) and 2 bathrooms or shower rooms, wcs.

Looking to avoid sky high service charges.


Any local experts care to share suggested areas please and any tips on what we should avoid.

Our obvious advantage is we have no chain,

Many thanks

MH

[Moosehoosenew]

Additionally we are registered with one estate agent so far and surprise, surprise in spite of letting them know.

2 beds, 2 baths.
Up to 600k
Clapham distance at most from city
Freehold preferred
Low and predictable service charge.


They just seem to email everything they have on their books, not very impressive.

[Mike4]

Looking for freehold (or freehold possible) and 2 bathrooms or shower rooms, wcs.

Looking to avoid sky high service charges.

A technical comment from me. A genuinely freehold flat is virtually unheard of in London. Even if you find one it is best avoided as there are mutual responsibilities on flat owners to provide support/a roof for the other flats in the same building and enforcing these responsibilities on each other will be tricky. Also funding of the common areas will be problematic. Leasehold is a better model.

What you are more likely to find are flats where the leaseholders collectively own the Ltd Co which owns the freehold of the site and building. Often described by estate agents with no respect for detail as "freehold flats" when they are actually not. This also helps (but does not rule out) "sky high service charges" as the leasholders collectively will be ultimately in control of the maintenance. But if your views on maintenance expenditure diverge from the views of other leaseholders you will find yourself out-voted and still liable.

Best of all would be to find a freehold house rather than a flat in my opinion. Even if this means buying in a rougher area.

[mc2fool]

Sign up with https://www.rightmove.co.uk, https://www.zoopla.co.uk and https://www.onthemarket.com.

Each allow you to specify where you are looking by drawing on a map, or by distance from a postcode, or, in one case (can't remember which) by travel time to a postcode, and with all you can give a price range and specify a 2-bed flat.

[Steveam]

South of London Bridge/Borough heading towards Elephant and Castle (which is advancing in leaps and bounds). Easy commute into the city (walkable from London Bridge). Borough High Street has a number of estate agents but as another poster mentioned almost everything will go on the property web sites.

Best wishes, Steve