Grade 2 listed property - would you buy?
Discussion
…something like this:
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/172337606#/...
London suburbs. Just for me and my wife and a small dog.
Wondering what others think of it? It’s quirky, compromised but interesting.
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/172337606#/...
London suburbs. Just for me and my wife and a small dog.
Wondering what others think of it? It’s quirky, compromised but interesting.
Yes would rather (and do) own something like that than a generic modern box.
You will be at the whim of you local conversation officer. When we moved to our place the CO was very sensible and pragmatic. Then she retired and the role was outsourced to a company called Place Services who were a waste of time. Never visited the property and were too scared to make any recommendations for approval (even for maintenance work) without lots of expensive (and largely unnecessary) reports. Fortunately they have now been replaced and the new CO seem to be a lot more sensible.
You will be at the whim of you local conversation officer. When we moved to our place the CO was very sensible and pragmatic. Then she retired and the role was outsourced to a company called Place Services who were a waste of time. Never visited the property and were too scared to make any recommendations for approval (even for maintenance work) without lots of expensive (and largely unnecessary) reports. Fortunately they have now been replaced and the new CO seem to be a lot more sensible.
Having similar conversations with OH in process of downsizing
Seen several grade 2 advertised where a substantial amount (and as far as you can tell from a listing high quality) of work has been done and house meets needs with no need for change or work.
OH won't touch anything listed and mailing me a succession of miserable Barratt hutches to see out our days.
To me a fixed up listed property should hold no fears for someone who, at best, is going to spend less than three decades there.
Help.
Seen several grade 2 advertised where a substantial amount (and as far as you can tell from a listing high quality) of work has been done and house meets needs with no need for change or work.
OH won't touch anything listed and mailing me a succession of miserable Barratt hutches to see out our days.
To me a fixed up listed property should hold no fears for someone who, at best, is going to spend less than three decades there.
Help.
In general I have (and had) no problems living in and working in listed buildings of various grades.
Listings (as I understand it) apply to elements and features of a building. Last place I had the listing covered a screen wall, staircase and various other internal and external features. Didnt mean we couldnt knock though a wall, put in another bathroom and toilet.
First thing I would do is get a copy of the listing (online) and have a good read. Then, if you are serious and you want reassurance or clarification get on to the local council and pay for an onsite meeting with their listed building officer.
Once they know where you are coming from on things and you are all on the same side and not going to be battling with them life is much, much easier.
A listing on a building would definitely not put me off, but you do need to go into it informed and aware of the potential costs of maintenance and any limitations on development (this is where your listed builiding officer comes in).
Listings (as I understand it) apply to elements and features of a building. Last place I had the listing covered a screen wall, staircase and various other internal and external features. Didnt mean we couldnt knock though a wall, put in another bathroom and toilet.
First thing I would do is get a copy of the listing (online) and have a good read. Then, if you are serious and you want reassurance or clarification get on to the local council and pay for an onsite meeting with their listed building officer.
Once they know where you are coming from on things and you are all on the same side and not going to be battling with them life is much, much easier.
A listing on a building would definitely not put me off, but you do need to go into it informed and aware of the potential costs of maintenance and any limitations on development (this is where your listed builiding officer comes in).
I have a couple of old buildings (over 125 years), have had much older too. Regardless of listing they are generally need regular work, repairs etc. personally i don’t like the low ceiling, beamed etc properties. One of mine was delisted (think it’s because the original part was a barn). One of my current buildings is listed. So even repairing some rotten windows is a pain. But not a show stopper for me. Each to their own
A listed status shouldn’t put you off buying a property.
It does mean you need to understand the potential impact on plans you may have for the house and the cost of future maintenance.
Some people have horror stories about owning listed buildings but in most cases they simply didn’t understand the consequences before they bought.
Listed status does not mean a blanket ban on any changes or developments/extensions. Conversely, a Grade II status does not mean you can do whatever the hell you like internally, as long as it does not change the external appearance (despite what some may say).
The key is to understand what the listed status means.
It does mean you need to understand the potential impact on plans you may have for the house and the cost of future maintenance.
Some people have horror stories about owning listed buildings but in most cases they simply didn’t understand the consequences before they bought.
Listed status does not mean a blanket ban on any changes or developments/extensions. Conversely, a Grade II status does not mean you can do whatever the hell you like internally, as long as it does not change the external appearance (despite what some may say).
The key is to understand what the listed status means.
21TonyK said:
In general I have (and had) no problems living in and working in listed buildings of various grades.
Listings (as I understand it) apply to elements and features of a building. Last place I had the listing covered a screen wall, staircase and various other internal and external features. Didnt mean we couldnt knock though a wall, put in another bathroom and toilet.
First thing I would do is get a copy of the listing (online) and have a good read. Then, if you are serious and you want reassurance or clarification get on to the local council and pay for an onsite meeting with their listed building officer.
Once they know where you are coming from on things and you are all on the same side and not going to be battling with them life is much, much easier.
A listing on a building would definitely not put me off, but you do need to go into it informed and aware of the potential costs of maintenance and any limitations on development (this is where your listed builiding officer comes in).
Sound advice. The whole of a LB is listed and often, as in your case, individual features are specifically referred to in the listing description. Listings (as I understand it) apply to elements and features of a building. Last place I had the listing covered a screen wall, staircase and various other internal and external features. Didnt mean we couldnt knock though a wall, put in another bathroom and toilet.
First thing I would do is get a copy of the listing (online) and have a good read. Then, if you are serious and you want reassurance or clarification get on to the local council and pay for an onsite meeting with their listed building officer.
Once they know where you are coming from on things and you are all on the same side and not going to be battling with them life is much, much easier.
A listing on a building would definitely not put me off, but you do need to go into it informed and aware of the potential costs of maintenance and any limitations on development (this is where your listed builiding officer comes in).
We’ve owned two listed buildings over the last 40 years, and as a planner I’ve worked alongside various conservation officers in three different local authorities. One could be extremely pedantic so I had to overrule him occasionally; the others were pragmatic and good to work with. Respecting the inherent qualities and quirks of a LB and developing a good working relationship with the CO are key. I’d happily take on another LB, and the OP’s example looks very interesting.
We've lived in a grade 2 building for 20+ years now. I'd broadly agree but would add yes getting a meeting with the CO prior to purchase would be wise but ours refused, too busy. I even offered to pay.
Make sure that any changes that have been made have LBC as once you move in they become your problem. If there isn't LBC (in addition to planning and/or building control) then it can get very costly.
The listing covers everything in the curtilage, inside and out. If you have a 70s concrete section garage then that's listed etc. It isn't just the features in the listing.
You used to get VAT free work (for improvements) but no longer which is a shame.
I'd consider LB again but not thatch. It's just too expensive to replace now and the insurance is mental.
Make sure that any changes that have been made have LBC as once you move in they become your problem. If there isn't LBC (in addition to planning and/or building control) then it can get very costly.
The listing covers everything in the curtilage, inside and out. If you have a 70s concrete section garage then that's listed etc. It isn't just the features in the listing.
You used to get VAT free work (for improvements) but no longer which is a shame.
I'd consider LB again but not thatch. It's just too expensive to replace now and the insurance is mental.
That looks brilliant, and seems a good price (without knowing the area...).
I could live there. Obviously a compromise with no garage but if you can live without that and are comfortable with how it looks/flows presently then I would go for it.
If you want to change/add things though then think carefully. And speak to the local conservation officer to discuss what might be possible.
Oh, and as others have said get hold of the listing details and ensure that any changes or modern works have been signed off/approved.
I could live there. Obviously a compromise with no garage but if you can live without that and are comfortable with how it looks/flows presently then I would go for it.
If you want to change/add things though then think carefully. And speak to the local conservation officer to discuss what might be possible.
Oh, and as others have said get hold of the listing details and ensure that any changes or modern works have been signed off/approved.
Pinner is a nice place to live ( my Aunt used to live in a HA5 postcode ) and the price doesn’t seem too expensive for what it is.
Obviously it’s been built up around it so the setting isn’t quite what it once was.
We have lived in a G2 400 year old farmhouse for 21 years or so.
It was described as renovated and updated but I reckon for the first 2 years or so there was barely a week went by without a white van on the drive.
The HO or CO at the relevant council can make the difference between a pleasant or awful experience depending on what you want doing.
The advantage of a much older building is that “ everything “ is repairable but at a price.
We have done a lot to our place ( and also outside ) over our time here but if we move again would look not to go listed.
Obviously it’s been built up around it so the setting isn’t quite what it once was.
We have lived in a G2 400 year old farmhouse for 21 years or so.
It was described as renovated and updated but I reckon for the first 2 years or so there was barely a week went by without a white van on the drive.
The HO or CO at the relevant council can make the difference between a pleasant or awful experience depending on what you want doing.
The advantage of a much older building is that “ everything “ is repairable but at a price.
We have done a lot to our place ( and also outside ) over our time here but if we move again would look not to go listed.
Looks a lovely house and I like Pinner.
I live in a G2 listed house, I've done quite a lot to extend it and make some other changes. Key is getting a good report with the conservation team and knowing, as mentioned above, what the listing says. It's nonsense to think you cant do anything to a listed (my experience is only for a G2) property, equally you cant start ripping bits of it down and adding on stuff as you fancy.
I live in a G2 listed house, I've done quite a lot to extend it and make some other changes. Key is getting a good report with the conservation team and knowing, as mentioned above, what the listing says. It's nonsense to think you cant do anything to a listed (my experience is only for a G2) property, equally you cant start ripping bits of it down and adding on stuff as you fancy.
SmoothCriminal said:
No.
Why would you spend hundreds of thousands or million(s) in this case and then have someone else tell you what you can and can't do to it.
Unless you are historic England or feel the need to preserve it for the next generation.
There are restrictions about what you can and can't do on all properties.Why would you spend hundreds of thousands or million(s) in this case and then have someone else tell you what you can and can't do to it.
Unless you are historic England or feel the need to preserve it for the next generation.
No one would ever buy anything with that attitude.
We live in a Grade 2 listed building and are doing a major renovation. Getting LBC for work adds cost and delays but if you can afford it and are not in a hurry it can be very rewarding and enjoyable.
A building like that is never going to be as cheap to heat as a new build, if you are looking at a million pound house you probably can afford the heating bills.
A building like that is never going to be as cheap to heat as a new build, if you are looking at a million pound house you probably can afford the heating bills.
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