Grade II* listed property, with Flying Freehold

GabbaGabbaHey

We're looking at a property at the top end of our budget. Problem is that it is Grade II* listed, and was probably last worked on in the 1970's. We suspect that it may need re-wiring and re-plumbing (we haven't been able to see inside yet as the - elderly - sellers are being very awkward about viewing times).

Anybody have any experience of getting work done to a Grade II* listed building - or is it so prohibitively expensive that we should forget about this house now? The basic structure looks OK, so it's unlikely that any grants would be available.

Also, the property seems to have a flying freehold. Is this a no-no for most lenders?

Norma_Desmond

Difficult one - we thought our property was Grade II when we were in the throes of buying it, but it turned out not to be, and we were pretty relieved; we've had a good few setbacks with it *just* being in a conservation area within a National Park - AND I've just realised that your prospective house is Grade II* which obviously means it's of real historical importance.
Personally, I might be able to cope with this alone, but a flying freehold can cause all sorts of problems wih lenders; friends of ours pulled out of a purchase in St. Ives because of the hassle - and apparently it's not that uncommon there for some reason.
Sorry that I've come across as the voice of doom, but unless you've got an awful lot of time/money to spare, I'd back away......bet it's a lovely place tho'!

mystic_trev

I used to live in a Grade II although i'd never do it again. It becomes a labour of love and you have to have deep pockets. I can't remember getting Grants for anything, although a lot of the work done was VAT exempt.

TheDink

I live in a Grade II (no *) listed building in a conservation area, with a flying freehold. Our lender had no issue with the flying freehold, simply requesting that the vendors obtain an indemnity policy covering it - your solicitor should be able to arrange this without a problem.

In terms of updating the building, it is likely to be more expensive that for a non-listed building. The worst thing for us though has been the 8 week turnaround that the local council has on listed building consent applications - this really causes delays. It is worth trying to build a good relationship with the local conservation officer as this could make your life much easier. In terms of wiring, plumbing etc I doubt they could force you to use original materials because of modern building regulations - they may required you to restore existing items such as radiators, windows etc if they are original though.

Doozergirl

I was looking quite closely at our old house the other day. (I hope they weren't in, lol!) It was Grade II listed and it was hard work, lots of red tape, twice as expensive as we were quoted and bloody cold in the winter! Finished three years ago, the windows already need sanding down and repainting again and there are a couple of slipped tiles on the roof.

The conservation officers will pretty ownerous with Grade II*. I'd get a full building survey carried out and take it from there personally. The plumbing and electrics didn't cost us anymore that a regular house, it's just the specialist stuff that makes up the fabric of the building.

EDIT: It had a flying freehold too which wan't a problem for us, the buyers' solicitor requested an indemnity policiy when we sold though. £200.