Listed Property Queries

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I am really considering purchasing a Grade II listed property which is due to go to auction in 10 days time. The property has been empty for over a year and is in some need of damp proofing, work to the roof and re-wiring.

Before I decide to bid I am getting a structural engineer to check the building out. Depending on what his findings are I will then get a damp proof/builder to give me a quote.

Can anyone on the forum offer any suggestions before I bid? Do we get a grant from the local council for updating a listed building? If we go ahead, do we deal with a specialist renovation builder, as opposed to your everyday builder?

Hope you can assist with my queries.

Regards

Deborah

 

[Anonymous]

It's highly unlikely that any grant aid will be available - and if it is the person to ask will be your local authority Conservation Officer. Don't bank on it.

You need NOW to get a surveyor with conservation expertise - see RICS for contact details - and if you think there are structural problems then a structural engineer with expertise in historic buildings is also required. 'Damp proofing' is a very thorny topic.

I wouldn't bother with a 'man with a van and a damp meter', be wary of chemical injection firms, or indeed builders who don't have specialist conservation expertise, as in all probability they won't have a clue and will tell you you need all manner of inappropriate interventions.

Do, before you buy, appreciate the responsibilities of owning a listed building, and read up about consents etc for any work which you may wish to carry out.

SPAB has a useful piece on the website 'Look Before You Leap'.



http://www.spab.co.uk

 

[Anonymous]

http://www.spab.org.uk

 

[Anonymous]

When we bought our house we asked our conservation officer about a grant.

He said
"If you can't afford to buy the house and can't afford to do the work needed, don't buy it. We are not doing it for you!"

But in a jolly way <IMG SRC="http://www.periodproperty.co.uk/discussing/smileys/smile.gif" BORDER=0 ALT="">

He has been of much use since we bought it and started work.

Graham