1930 (?) house buying advice

[ogilver]

Hello all,

FTB here so bear with me! We put an offer on a detached victorian house (?) which was accepted and going through the checks, survey etc. So I am not sure about the legalities on older properties etc and hoping for an advice or two.

Looking at the deed, no information on when it was built. The first entry was 2008 for a covenant on the land from 1933. The next entries were from a couple of years ago when current owner bought it. Is this normal for an old house and would they have building reg paperwork etc from that time? Or can I assume that the covenant was for the land and the house.
Also, at the back of the property, there seems to an extension which is the kitchen. No information on this either (no application on local authority) but looking at historical aerial photo, this is already there from 2005 and possibly even older - we couldn't go further back. Is this a concern?
The house itself is in a good condition, we saw 2 cracks that were noticeable. The previous owner, not current, had renovated it to a good standard. Certs for window replacement in 2017 and cavity wall insulation, I havent seen the certs tho - CPS done - requested this to our solicitor already. Just wondering if we worry over nothing.

Thanks

 

[a twig]

Looking at the deed, no information on when it was built. The first entry was 2008 for a covenant on the land from 1933. The next entries were from a couple of years ago when current owner bought it. Is this normal for an old house and would they have building reg paperwork etc from that time? Or can I assume that the covenant was for the land and the house.

Not knowing the build date is normal for old properties. 2008 was probably when the existing paper records were digitised, what building reg paperwork would you expect there to be?
The text of the covenant will detail what is covered, your solicitor will advise if anything comes up that you need to worry about.

Also, at the back of the property, there seems to an extension which is the kitchen. No information on this either (no application on local authority) but looking at historical aerial photo, this is already there from 2005 and possibly even older - we couldn't go further back. Is this a concern?

I wouldn’t worry about it, if it is still standing almost 20 years later and it good condition that’s more of a reliable indicator than a cert, regs etc have changed a fair bit over the last 20 years

Just wondering if we worry over nothing.

First time buying is always nerve wracking, ask lots of questions of solicitors, agents etc even if you think they might be daft ones, better to feel silly than sorry. Nothing that you’ve said so far seems to overly jump out as a worry though.

 

[ogilver]

Not knowing the build date is normal for old properties. 2008 was probably when the existing paper records were digitised, what building reg paperwork would you expect there to be?
The text of the covenant will detail what is covered, your solicitor will advise if anything comes up that you need to worry about.

I wouldn’t worry about it, if it is still standing almost 20 years later and it good condition that’s more of a reliable indicator than a cert, regs etc have changed a fair bit over the last 20 years

First time buying is always nerve wracking, ask lots of questions of solicitors, agents etc even if you think they might be daft ones, better to feel silly than sorry. Nothing that you’ve said so far seems to overly jump out as a worry though.

Thank you, that's comforting! We are just collating queries from the search to the solicitor, including the wording in the covenant.

 

[tobydog]

Hi. Normally there is a noticeable difference between the appearance of a Victorian and 1930's house. If you post a photo I'm sure there are several people on here who could give you a pretty accurate idea of its age.

 

[ogilver]

Hi. Normally there is a noticeable difference between the appearance of a Victorian and 1930's house. If you post a photo I'm sure there are several people on here who could give you a pretty accurate idea of its age.

They've replaced the windows and much of the interior now.

 

[tobydog]

I'm going to put my neck out here and say 1920's. Interesting design. Looks like it could have been two small semi's originally.

 

[paulc]

I'm going to put my neck out here and say 1920's. Interesting design. Looks like it could have been two small semi's originally.

Certainly looks like it might be to Tudor Walter's design. That would put it post WWI.
Not wide enough to have been a pair of semi's. See below for a typical Tudor semi (mine is almost to plan, built 1928/9).

 

[CzDuck]

We're in the process of buying something which seems to be of a similar age. Not only does ours have the tell-tale 30s design elements but also a covenant dated 1933 added during a year-2000 conveyance. The actual text of it suggests that it's from the first sale of the property from the builder to the first owner. It sets down some rules about what we can and can't do at the property (not to be used as a piggery or shop), some rules around not building any closer to the road than the original elevation, a rule about maintaining a substantial fence in the garden and that no dwelling can be built on the plot which would be worth less than £300(!).

I would suspect yours would be very similar and nothing to worry about, but if it helps rest your mind then just get a copy from the land registry's website. It's only £3.

Depending on what the actual content of the covenant is it might date the property quite well, as well as giving some really interesting information on who the parties were to the transaction when it was first built (which you can then further research if it's of interest!). The other trick we have used in the past to date properties from the late 1800s and early 1900s is to look at the censuses. Assuming the road hasn't been renumbered too much you should be able to pick up at least the decade it was first habited in.

 

[ogilver]

Thanks all. @tobydog, now that i browsed around some images, I think 1920 is more like it. it does look more from that era. The exterior indicate it might have been 2 semi, although it would have been very small 2 semis, layout below.

We did get the deed and first entry in 2008 was conveyancing from 1933 inclusive of a covenant which we are still asking for clarity of the content below. Solicitor paperwork state 'no trade any day' but reading the below, it seems to be only sundays - not that it makes much difference. Also, they state if covenant is broken, the current owner - or prev owner if sale goes through - must be compensated. Which makes them the covenantee? I guess that's align with the wording, The Purchaser and all person claiming title under him...

" A Conveyance of the land in this title dated October 1933 made between (1) Mr. A, Mr. B and Mr. C and (2) Mr.D (Purchaser) contains the following covenants:-
The Purchaser for himself his heirs and assigns hereby covenents with the Vendors (and so that this covenant shall so far as is practicable be enforceable by the owners occupiers and tenants for the time being remaining unsold) that the Purchaser and all person claiming title under him will not at any time hereafter use or permit to be used the property hereby conveyed nor any part thereof nor any building to be erected there on for the production or sale of liquors of any kind nor for the purpose of carrying on any trade of any kind on Sundays except for the trade or profession of Medicine"

Just out of curiosity, I did search the census for the named persons but couldnt find anything and not prepared to use the paid websites yet. Cant seem to find census by address for free, care to share if you know? All we could find is one of the seller could potentially be a priest in the area who died in 1905. We even found a picture, interesting. Didnt even know what covenant was until recently!

 

[a twig]

I wouldn’t worry about it if the conditions don’t affect your plans for the property and it isn’t even obvious who the covenantor is.
If you are worried I’m sure the solicitor will be able to arrange indemnity insurance, they love them. The solicitor when buying here wanted us to buy 4 or 5 at one point