Sad cottage is sad.

[PointySticks]

Just thought I'd share a picture of the sad little cottage just across the lane from the one I'm looking at buying.


Is that the saddest cottage you've ever seen? The roof was still intact in the images on Google Streetview, but those pictures must be a few years old. By the time I saw it in person, the poor thing had reached its current lowly state. I will admit to a few longing looks in its general direction. I'd love to take it on, but I'm afraid my partner really has drawn the line at buying just the one wreck of a place this year.

 

[Feltwell]

It's horrible when you see that. I looked at where I lived as a child on Streetview not long ago - the lovely big old farmhouse behind my old house is now derelict

It was in quite good repair back then, in the 1970's - but there was an elderly couple living in it on the ground floor only, it was far too big a house for them, and they struggled to maintain it. Very sad to see it as it is now, the barns and farmyard look to be decaying rapdily as well.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=ip2...SEAfTomoV4Qj_Orow&cbp=12,350.24,,0,-0.93&z=19

 

[Feltwell]

S'weird - click the link above on my PC and it takes you to a picture of the house in question, but click it on the IPad and it goes to an aerial view of that general location. How odd.

 

[worms]

I get the house picture on my iPad!

Funny how often the street view image gives a view that is now only a nostalgic memory. The fine old cottage across the road from us is still on street view but in reality is now 3 large, detached, modern houses.

 

[Moo]

My iPad takes me to the street view (which reveals the row of bungaloids on the other side of the road.

 

[Feltwell]

My iPad takes me to the street view (which reveals the row of bungaloids on the other side of the road.

Yes, that part of Norfolk is infested with estates of 1960's/70's bungalows - back when land was cheap - courtesy of a local developer called Bennetts, who are still going. Don't think they are quite as bungalow-obsessed these days though. Lots of lovely old buildings in the area as well though, many built with flint.

Edit - I've just read the Bennett homes website - what a laugh!

We believe in using high quality materials applied with skill and care - often reflecting local building styles that incorporate flint or carrstone and pantile roofs. Over 65 years we have never sacrificed our principles, preferring instead to be recognised for quality rather than quantity.

This is from a company who from my dated knowledge of the area were renowned in the 1970's for building large estates of cheap, unattractive bungalows that bore no resemblance whatsoever to local building styles!

 

[vicky whitworth]

My husband comes from that part of Norfolk, and when he was a kid they used the expression, 'that's Bennett's' to mean, 'that's rubbish, c**p, that's shoddy.'

Is the sad cottage actually on a lane at the front and a bigger road at the back? There seems to be a street light on the corner. I'm looking for something in that sort of state to take but I want something away from roads.

 

[PointySticks]

It's horrible when you see that. ... Very sad to see it as it is now, the barns and farmyard look to be decaying rapdily as well.

What a marvellous old building. Thanks for posting the Streetview.

Is the sad cottage actually on a lane at the front and a bigger road at the back? There seems to be a street light on the corner. I'm looking for something in that sort of state to take but I want something away from roads.

It is right on a single track lane, and it's not a well used road. The lane you see behind is actually another single track lane that leads to a farm at the end of it. I think there are about a half dozen or so small farms in the area, and a few houses. It's more a hamlet than village, though there is a small school. There used to be a pub, but it's now the cottage I'm trying to buy! The cottage is called Yr Hen Dafarn, which means The Old Pub. It's in quite a rural area, quite remote, about 8 miles north of Carmarthen.

I did check land registry for Sad House when I was researching the cottage I'm interested in buying, but couldn't find anything on it. The estate agent wasn't much help either, but I'm sure someone in the village knows something. If you're interested I'd be happy to ask around and see what I can dig up.

 

[plasticpigeon]

Is it possible to apply for the deeds of a property? I remember hearing about a scam where someone would steal someone elses house by applying for the deeds or title or whatever the legal term is and then making sure the rightful owner never got the paperwork from land registry or something like that. After a time without anything being contested the title went to the applicant. I think if it is possible to just claim a building if nobody seems to own it, us PPUKers should start acquiring the unloved parts of this country and try and make them great again!!! Does anyone know if it is possible?? There was an interesting house on a main road near me, arts and crafts style that looked dilapidated and I did wonder if it was possible to just claim it!!! However metal boards have gone over windows now so it must have some sort of owner.

 

[MatthewC]

Is it possible to apply for the deeds of a property? I remember hearing about a scam where someone would steal someone elses house by applying for the deeds or title or whatever the legal term is and then making sure the rightful owner never got the paperwork from land registry or something like that. After a time without anything being contested the title went to the applicant. I think if it is possible to just claim a building if nobody seems to own it, us PPUKers should start acquiring the unloved parts of this country and try and make them great again!!! Does anyone know if it is possible?? There was an interesting house on a main road near me, arts and crafts style that looked dilapidated and I did wonder if it was possible to just claim it!!! However metal boards have gone over windows now so it must have some sort of owner.

This website (http://www.unclaimedfinances.co.uk/facts-unclaimed-land-property-uk.html) has the following

Claiming Unregistered Land in the UK
Claiming unregistered property or land is not a simple process. In order to claim abandoned land a person must first have taken possession of the land. This means erecting fences around the land and occupying it for a certain period of time, this is known as adverse possession. The adverse possession period is 10 years for registered land and 12 years for unregistered land. The person must also be able to prove that they have been in adverse possession for this amount of time. Only then will they be able to register with the Land Registry.

Seems quite straightforward...! You just have to be ready for a long wait.