Buying a run down property

double0

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some advice on buying an unoccupied, run-down house on the same road as me. It is completely unhabitable as it stands, but could be a fantastic family home once renovated.

I have got the address of the present owners of the property from the Land Registry (they have owned it for 26 years, but have left it vacant for all that time and let it fall into a complete mess), but not sure what the best way to approach them is. Does anyone have any experience of doing this?

There are some relatively new properties to one side of this house, and I assume the developers of those would have tried to get hold of the land when the new houses were built. It is an eyesore on the road and I'm surprised the council haven't done anything about it before now.

Thanks for any help

hazyjo

First point - do you need a mortgage on it, and how much deposit would you have... It's quite possibly unmortgageable.

Jx

martinsurrey

Second point.

The address you have is probably 26 years old as well. If they have not looked after the property they more than likely haven’t been keeping up on their paperwork either.

Tracking them down could be close to impossible.

G_M

But assuming you get over the above hurdles, I would favour the direct approach - face to face. assuming they live reasonably close. Perhaps a phone call first?

Or a letter.

lauraland

Following on from George Clarkes empty homes campaign, you can report it as an empty home and they will notify the local council, might be worth a try if you have no joy contacting the owners yourself? http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-great-british-property-scandal/articles/report-an-empty/