Property I am a Guardian of (Photos)

[Abi Cott]

It occurred to me reading through the archive as I have been doing that you guys seem remarkably fond of pictures of properties that deserve some love. I thought you might like to see some pictures of the house I am currently a Property Guardian in. It is damp, and mouldy, it almost certainly has Death Watch, unless there are woodpeckers living in the roof (which I have to admit was my first thought ) However it has bags of original features and would make a stunning home.

I even have my own vestibule

It will almost certainly come on the market in the next few years and will be sold at auction for a song. In all probability to end up in the hands of a developer, which is a pity. However I guess not everyone wants to live in a cemetery.

 

[plasticpigeon]

What a lovely house!

 

[88v8]

Guardian... was not aware of ... like this? No truncheon, no brazier?
http://uk.cameloteurope.com/frequently-asked-questions/guardian-faqs

I have read that even proximity to a cemetery significantly reduces value, so being actually in a cemetery might indeed be expected to depress the selling price. Otoh it should have a decent size 'garden'.

But yes, what a lovely and apparently unspoilt house. Original windows, fittings and finishes, no crass extensions.
Shame it seems to be surrounded by modern tat, but a decent perimeter hedge might help.

As I'm sure you realise it would be highly desirable that the death watch (how appropriate) be not allowed 'a few years' more munching.

Ivor

 

[Abi Cott]

Yes, that sort of guardian, but through another operator.

There is even more modern tat planned for the immediate area, which if the current plans ever go ahead will leave the lodge with a rather small garden. Further reducing the chances of it being bought by anyone except a developer.

The graves are a fair distance away, up at the top of the hill. In the last lodge house I guardian'ed in the Victorian graves came right up to the kitchen window which was quite amusing.

I can't do much about the deathwatch other than report my suspicions. Which in all probability will result in the council doing nothing. One of the many frustrations of living in a period property that you don't own.

 

[Zebra]

It has a lot of character. What a shame you won't have the chance to rescue it.

 

[Abi Cott]

It has a lot of character. What a shame you won't have the chance to rescue it.

I would love to, but I suspect the cost of repairing the roof structure would put it out of my budget, regardless of how small a song it might go for.

Of course as its not listed or in a conservation area I could raise the funds by replacing the original stone roof with a manmade product, I imagine that is quite likely to happen, but it wouldn't be an acceptable solution to me.

 

[Feltwell]

Nice place. I'd be quite pleased to be next to a graveyard - nice and quiet and they tend to good for wildlife. I lived in a converted church in Sheffield for a while when I was a student, many years ago - it didn't bother me at all to live surrounded by graves, in the "dead centre of town" as friends called it.

 

[mims&pip]

Lovely unspoilt house, Abi......as others have said, what a shame you can't be its saviour

Mims x

 

[Abi Cott]

There aren't any original fireplaces, but there is a large amount of the wood work in situ, including the wall units in the kitchen, all the doors, architrave, skirting etc. The cornice also looks original. Plus of course the quarry floors in the hall and vestibule. The windows in the bathroom are modern DG wooden framed, but I think the rest are original. The pantry has its stone shelves intact, but the floor has a screed of some sort on it.

Given the amount of features and original structure, its hard to believe it isn't listed.

The last one I lived in went for 80k at auction, but needed at least the same spending on it to give it a new lease of life. I reckon this one is an even bigger undertaking and will go for a bit more.

 

[88v8]

If possible, would be interesting to see the original kitchen cupboards etc. This is one feature which has generally been obliterated in an old house.

You could apply to have it listed. That would also make it harder to build in the curtilage. Although not impossible, especially as it looks like Council tat and they'd probably be inclined to give themselves permish.

Ivor

 

[plasticpigeon]

The sad thing is that the council tat in those pictures looks much much nicer than either cynical ignorant developer tat or underfunded ignorant council tat around my parts. In fact for modern places they look quite good. Perhaps my expectations have been conditioned by the dire developments in Birmingham but you've got to be grateful for small mercies.

 

[paulc]

I even have my own vestibule

I have to ask - Why the heavy golf club ?

I would have thought most of the neighbours would be fairly quiet even in the depths of the night. :shock:

 

[Abi Cott]

I even have my own vestibule

I have to ask - Why the heavy golf club ?

I would have thought most of the neighbours would be fairly quiet even in the depths of the night. :shock:

Not guilty, but I do live with a couple of other guardians, one of whom is rather paranoid, so it wouldn't surprise me if the placement was intentional. There is an old set of clubs off camera to the left, so I guess it came from there.

In five years of guardianship in four properties, worst that's happened is a druggie dropping a wrap of what was probably crack on my back doorstep whilst trying to break in. Unluckily for them I'd locked up that night. It did make me a bit more cautious about remembering to lock the back door.

Otherwise the concept of guardianship is you don't need security because the property is never empty. Its worked so far even in some slightly interesting areas. :wink:

 

[Abi Cott]

If possible, would be interesting to see the original kitchen cupboards etc. This is one feature which has generally been obliterated in an old house

I will see what I can do when I'm back from the family Christmas

 

[MikeG]

Pity about the neighbouring houses!

When you say the roof is stone, do you mean slate? That's what it looks like superficially, albeit rather thicker than some slate. It's always nice to see decreasing tile size as you go up the roof.

 

[Abi Cott]

Pity about the neighbouring houses!

When you say the roof is stone, do you mean slate? That's what it looks like superficially, albeit rather thicker than some slate. It's always nice to see decreasing tile size as you go up the roof.

Nope, stone, Yorkshire stone I think. I'm right on the edge of the Pennines. Pretty much everything here is stone. The slabs are well over an inch thick. One fell off a few months ago so I've had an up close view.

I'm on the very edge of the village, I'd rather see the new builds out here than in the historic heart. They aren't the best architecture, but they are at least faced in stone, so they should weather down with pollution to a moderate impression of the grimey North. The general attitude to 'smokeless zones' should help

 

[Abi Cott]

If possible, would be interesting to see the original kitchen cupboards etc. This is one feature which has generally been obliterated in an old house.

You could apply to have it listed. That would also make it harder to build in the curtilage. Although not impossible, especially as it looks like Council tat and they'd probably be inclined to give themselves permish.

Ivor

Here are a few pictures, I'm fairly sure my housemate won't mind his food being in the picture.

 

[Zebra]

Hmmm, sardines and peanut butter. Your housemate is a cat, perhaps? Or a badger?

 

[88v8]

Ahhh, nice. So they were open shelves and then someone has fronted them.

Sardine and peanut butter is a combo I've never tried. Peanut butter and marmalade of course, and honey, or cheese, but never sardine.
Might work hmmm. Perhaps Zebra will report back.

Ivor