What's a property closure order!?

dreadhabib

In the details for a derelict former cottage that's going to auction locally - it states that;

'There are no unexpired planning consents relating to the property. We understand that a closing order was served on the property in 1971. As the agents, we are enquiring whether the Council will support reconstruction of the house and whether the closing order will be over-ridden as a result...'

From a quick search on Google just now - 'closing orders' seem's to bring lots of info up relating to properties being served orders due to anti-social behaviour, plus drug-production etc. However, from what I have initially looked at so far - in all of these instances, the closure orders were relatively temporay - either consisting of a few days to a couple of months...

By the agents wording as copied above - it seems to me that whatever closing order was served on the property back in 1971 - is still in place - would it be possible for a closing order to be permanent!?

And could a closing order be served on a property under health and safety concerns!? The former cottage in question is in a very rural location, and only has about half it's original frontage and no roof etc - it is on Foresty Commission woodland and subsequently being sold as an opportunity to rebuild or demolish.

But if a potential closing order implies that 'no-one can enter or use the building' - this seems a very major issue - but it appears odd to me that a closing order could still be valid nearly 30 years after it was served...

Should I contact the vendors solicitor for more info on the circumstances in which the order was originally served!? Or should a property like this potentially be avoided!? Does anyone have any experience with closing orders such as this!?

Many thanks in advance for time in reading and responses!

DVardysShadow

I think - and you would have to check this out - that the closing order is a long standing legal device, originally intended for the situation you are looking at. The modern use of closing orders to shut down crack houses is probably an extension of the original. Because of the timeframes involved, you are less likely to find googlable material on the original uses of closing orders.

AFAICS there will be no harm in contacting the Vendor's solicitor, but remember that they don't work for you. You should contact the Planning authority for the area and establish what would be required to bring the house back into habitation. I know nothing of this, but I would suspect that they may allow the house to be rebuilt in its original style, but it may be far more difficult to get changes allowed.

lincroft1710

Closing Order usually means that house cannot be reoccupied until certain works are carried out. Often closing orders are quickly followed by demolition, but clearly not in this case!