FTB & listed building

Albermarle

OP,
You are expecting too much certainty in the answers to your questions.
In the house buying process, there is a lot of uncertainty and you just have to live with it.

jamesrcmd

Albermarle said:

OP,
You are expecting too much certainty in the answers to your questions.
In the house buying process, there is a lot of uncertainty and you just have to live with it.

I think I’m realising this now 😅

FlorayG

As for changing the external doors - what sort of changes do you plan and why? If they are wooden doors then you can only replace with another, similar, wooden door. Forget UPVC  or any other type of modern door that will be draught proof
In your situation I would be approaching the listings people with the changes you would like to make to see what they say before you commit to buying, to find out how heavy-handed they might be

jamesrcmd

FlorayG said:

As for changing the external doors - what sort of changes do you plan and why? If they are wooden doors then you can only replace with another, similar, wooden door. Forget UPVC  or any other type of modern door that will be draught proof
In your situation I would be approaching the listings people with the changes you would like to make to see what they say before you commit to buying, to find out how heavy-handed they might be

On the same street, which is all grade 2 listed houses, there are a few PVC doors. This is why I don't understand what you need listed building consent for... 🤔 Did the owner ask for listed building consent or did they go rogue and replace the door the without consent? Or maybe consent is not needed to replace the front door? I'm literally so confused.

The house has been completely renovated inside so I wonder if consent was needed for that.
Someone suggested purchasing the title register but it's difficult to understand what it actually means.

Can someone decode this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
It sound to me like there is a mortgage on this house and that the owner needs the lender's permission to sell.

RAS

A high percentage of properties in GB are mortgaged, so that's normal. Their conveyancer will pay off the mortgage provider and send the vendor the change.

With respect to the Listed Building status, have you done as previously advised and downloaded the List Building Register NHLE assuming you are in England?

I know my authority are very lax, and can't find any recent listings although they did an exercise 15 years ago.  And all of the Grade II listings in my village indicate there was no internal inspection. They enforce in conservation areas though.

youth_leader

We bought a grade II listed property and threw everything we earnt/inherited at it, it was never enough.  Our plan was to move into the tiny self catering unit at the end of our building when the kids left home and rent out the rest of the house, but my husband died and I  didn't want to do it alone.

If you look up British Historic listings and find your proposed purchase, you will see exactly what is protected by the listing.  If you do go ahead with your purchase, we found The Listed Property Owners Club | Listed buildings advice specialists very useful.  Even the insurance was more because we were listed - but you don't need an EPC when you sell, woo hoo!

Good luck.

jamesrcmd

RAS said:

With respect to the Listed Building status, have you done as previously advised and downloaded the List Building Register NHLE assuming you are in England?

I have and it sounds like the only protected features are: the brickwork, the windows and the slate roof.

If there was a problem with the roof that needed fixing, would buildings insurance cover the repairs or I would have to pay out of my own pocket? 

jamesrcmd

Just found out the property is also being advertised by a second estate agent. Doesn’t this look like the owner is desperate to sell?

youth_leader

If you offer and it is accepted, you would then have your survey and you will see what problems there are.  You might then have to try to negotiate the price, or pay for the work from your savings. 

The insurance would only pay for roof repairs if the roof was damaged by something like a storm - most insurers want proof of a wind speed in excess of 55 mph.  Some people have had insurance claims refused due to 'lack of maintenance'.

I also wanted to go to a second estate agent to broaden the marketing, it is not unusual - and I think you said it has already been on the market for some time?

RAS

You need the surveyor to make a good assessment of the roof and flashings. Any sign of damp or leaks inside? 

Once you own any property, you are responsible for roof repairs and/or replacement. Slate is pretty long lasting but can be dislodged by high winds. Do not replace slate roofs with tile, the structure isn't designed to carry the extra weight of tile.