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Two local councils have today issued warnings about the activities of an organisation which is approaching council tenants on their doorsteps in the Babergh area.
Babergh District and Suffolk County Council have expressed concerns that the Claims Care Centre, which is offering loans to tenants to cover the costs of the right to buy process, is misrepresenting its relationship with the former authority. Some employees of the Centre have made claims that it is operating in conjunction with Babergh. These individuals are also believed to be making false statements that they have obtained valuations of the properties concerned from the Council.
Neither statement is correct.
Babergh has written to the Claims Care Centre asking them to ensure that none of their staff repeat these assertions as they misrepresent the real situation.
“Babergh has no such relationship whatsoever with either the Claims Care Centre or with the FAI Finance Corporation, which is the finance company providing the loans. Babergh takes this issue very seriously indeed and wants to ensure that no tenant is misled about the relationship” said Caroline Whatling, Babergh’s Assistant Solicitor.
Jill Korwin, Assistant County Trading Standards Officer commented:
“As a first step it is important that potential buyers contact their borough or district council to make sure of the facts, for example to check that their right to buy period is actually coming to an end and that they meet the criteria to buy. If potential buyers are being told their 'right to buy' is coming to an end by a mortgage company but it actually isn't then buyers are certainly being targeted by sharp selling practises.
Never make a snap decision and sign straight away. Always give yourself time to consider an offer and what the other options may be. Anyone who is ‘cold called’ has a seven-day cooling off period within which they can change their mind – no questions asked.
More information on the right to buy process.
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