Listed buildings info

kmate

Hello

Can anyone tell me if it is an advantage or disadvantage to own a listed building?

Obviously there are limitations with regards to what you can do to the building,as there should be, but does this put potential buyers off? Or does the appeal of owning a listed building outweigh having the restrictions?

Anyone have any views/experience of this? All of the info on the web seems to be just about "how" to get a building listed, not really if it is a good idea to do it or not!

cheers.

shane77

well owning a listed home has its advantages as well as disadvantages. Here is a wonderful article that talks about both the advantages and disadvantages of owning a listed home :-

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/mortgages/article.html?in_article_id=417779&in_page_id=8

Thanks,

Debt_Free_Chick

Different people are going to have different views on this. Undoubtedly, some LBs are very beautiful - but only if you like period properties or have an interested in the features that are listed.

Depending on the listing, you can be very restricted in the changes you can make - some listings even include the exterior colour of the building (painted parts) and some include the interior too.

Some people are just plain sniffy, in a superior way. You know the type ... the ones that simply have to say "Well, of course, we live in a listed building you know" ..... (Hyacinth Bucket style) .....:rotfl:

I have to say that I've seen an ideal house for me - but it's listed. I rather feel that you don't so much "own a listed building" it's more like you're "the caretaker of an ancient monument, preserved for future generations"

neverdespairgirl

The first thing is to find out whether a building is listed. Pretty much all buildings built before 1700 are listed, and most 1700 - 1840. Post 1840, far fewer are listed.

My parents owned a Grade 2 listed building, then sold it and bought a Grade 2* listed building. The Grade 2 was a former weaver's cottage, built in 1490, and their current place was a hall house built in the early 1300s.

The restrictions depend on what grade it is. There are 3 grades, as I understand it - Grade 2 (the lowest), Grade 2*, and Grade 1. My Dad says that Grade 2* is the biggest pain in the neck, because you need consent from both English Heritage AND the local council to do things - for Grade 2, it's the council, and Grade 1, it's EH only.

• Grade I buildings are those of exceptional interest
• Grade II* are particularly important buildings of more than special interest
• Grade II are of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve them

There are 370,000 or so list entries currently protected by listing, and of those by far the majority - over 92% - are Grade II.
English Heritage (who list buildings) say:

"You will need to get listed building consent from your local council if you want to demolish a listed building or any part of it, or alter it in any way which would affect its character, inside or out. Repairs which match exactly may not need consent, but your local council will advise you on this as the effect of any repairs is not always straightforward.

Examples of work which may need consent include changing windows and doors, painting over brickwork or removing external surfaces, putting in dormer windows or rooflights, putting up aerials, satellite dishes and burglar alarms, changing roofing materials, moving or removing internal walls, making new doorways, and removing or altering fireplaces, panelling or staircases."