Bad rundown farmhouse, grants, new build, cheap boyfriend...

girlgonebush

I hate my boyfriends house - its run down, has woodworm, damp coming up, mould growing in the kitchen and is in general neglect. It also is one of those farm houes that you can touch the ceiling (very low) and for some reason always seems to be infested with mice. I have told him I cant live there if we get married - and he says he cant afford (nor want to go into debt) to build another one but I can if I want . I dont want to restore the farm house as the low ceilings would drive me mad in the end - and I know all the floors would have to be replaced due to the woodworm - and it would be me doing all the work - . Id rather build another house on the farm somewhere else and start all over again.

Im thinking of something rather small initally, even only 2 rooms - that could possibly be added on to. I have a little investment property that I own that can sell - but it would only give me 80,000 pounds - what are my best options?

And are there any grants out there that can salvage a rundown house and plenty of outbuildings - I think it is known as a 1 1/2 story house - built maybe in around 1890 or so...It was originally 2 story with 2 rooms downstairs and 2 up but its had a shocking extention of a galley kitchen and tiny bedroom above it as well as the stable to the side was turned into a bed room and bathroom. Im terrifed of having a bath - I think the weight would collapse the ceiling.

Sorry for too many questions, I dont really know where to start with this all - thanks in advance for any ideas - and any links to websites would be welcome.

Cheers Girl

mumoffour77

I think as long as its being lived in that there is a grant called replacement dwelling grant (as long as it hasnt been applied for before on the property in question) Ring the NIHE in Belfast and ask to be put through to the lisburn grants office.
HTH:D

Tel 08448920900

36square

How old is the house? Is it worth preserving or has its appearance been ruined by earlier 'renovations'? It might be worth contacting the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society who could tell you if any financial assistance is available.
If you have to go down the new build route please just try to come up with something that doesn't look as ugly as nearly all the new farmhouses that disfigure our countryside.

passlady

The money for replacement dwelling grants has been SLASHED and therefore after a VERY long drawn out process they tell you no money available! I know this for a fact as after 3 years i was told basically to go away!

mumoffour77

mumoffour77 wrote: »

I think as long as its being lived in that there is a grant called replacement dwelling grant (as long as it hasnt been applied for before on the property in question) Ring the NIHE in Belfast and ask to be put through to the lisburn grants office.
HTH:D

Tel 08448920900

As I said I think!

girlgonebush

Thanks for the information. I rang the Grant office and they said that they can send out a form for me to fill out - and that they are waiting on infomation about the grants. So thanks for that - They are still doing them apparently- both replacement and repairs, but waiting on information on head office... Maybe its to do with stimulating economy growth?

The grant can be up to 31,000 pounds and around 7000 for fixing

They said something that there was a 'raise the ceiling grant' a few years ago - but that thats not operational now.

I aggree that there are some really terrible houses out there - Id like to build house that was all glass on one side and built into the hill - some of these 'millionaire' places I see must be a headace to dust. Id rather be 'living big' that live in a big house.

mumoffour77

Thats Great girlgonebush!

passlady

Good luck with all that I hope your experience has a more positive outcome than mine...

girlgonebush

Thanks Passlady- maybe you should give them another call in your areas and see if anything has changed? The chap I spoke to was rather nice - and said things were changing soon....:j

Old_Git

if he has a farm could he get planning permission for another house . Build a new house and sell the origional house .
It is much cheaper to build a new house than to buy a secondhand house ,and you get the VAT back on a new build .

weeclick

sounds like a really good really interesting project! My mum used to buy houses, move in with the family, do them up and move on, so I know what its like from first hand experience of what you plan on doing as my mum has been doing it since I was 1 and has only just stopped movin 4 yrs ago!

fingers crossed you get the grants that you need, if not have a clear out before you begin work and try to "declutter" anything you really dont need you can sell on ebay! youd be surprised at how much you can make from what we would class as "junk" I tidied up my spare room last week and have made £250 already on ebay and only done half of 1 room!!

Also you should set up a website, use it like a "building diary" upload photos and write blogs about everything your doing, Im sure youll get loads of interest from the locals as well as various other people that enjoy projects like this. I actually remember once coming across a website where people where donating £5 or £10 to help them finish their build!! (just done a google search on building projects years ago)

Fingers crossed something comes from this grant anyway, and you never know once you get started your boyfriend will probably get excited and want to help too!!

Let us know how you get on