Did you know there are over half a million listed buildings in England? The listing process isn’t just reserved for ancient ruins after all! Any building that has ‘special architectural or historic interest’ can be ‘listed’ as a way of protecting it from any alterations that might negatively impact the character of the building and its historical context. There are three ‘grades’ a building can be listed as, from grade 3 (special architectural or historic interest) to grade 1 (for buildings of exceptional interest), and they govern what you can change about a building. Including extending or renovating it. So, before you buy a listed home, it’s important to know what you can and can’t do. Here’s what you need to know.
Where To Find Information
If you ever need a reference for your property, Including why it’s listed, what grade it is and what restrictions are in place on it, then you need to visit the Historic England Website. Every listed building in the country can be found on this website, along with all of the information you could need. Rather than making assumptions about what’s permitted, we always recommend looking up your property information first.
Contact The Council
Your local authority is in charge of monitoring listed buildings in their area. They’re also the only ones who can grant you permission to make alterations to your property. That includes extensions, renovations, changes to the internal layout or even putting up a satellite dish. It can be bureaucratic, paperwork heavy and time-consuming, not to mention a bit of a headache for the smaller things.
Insurance
If you buy a listed building, you won’t be able to get a normal insurance policy. Because the rebuild cost of a listed building is significantly more than a standard property, standard insurance policies won’t be able to give you the coverage you need. Instead, you will need a specialist insurance policy in place, which is often more expensive. On top of that, if you ever need to claim on the policy and have the property rebuilt, the local council will determine how and if it can be rebuilt.
Added Expense
Listed buildings don’t just cost more to insure, it costs more to run and repair as well. You will likely have to use specific materials or hire tradespeople with special skills to do any work on your property. Listed buildings also aren’t the most energy efficient, which means you will need to invest in things like double glazing and insulation (if it’s permitted because sometimes it’s not), and spend more on heating.
Speak To A Surveyor
Before you buy a listed property, it’s important to work with a surveyor who understands listed buildings and has worked with them before. A specialist surveyor will be able to tell you how your property is constructed and be aware of any special considerations related to repairs needed. They will be able to give you a full picture of what you’re dealing with before you buy.
Don’t Assume You Can Make Changes
Many people buy a property, in part due to its potential. The ability to make the space their own. A listed building might look great with a little renovation, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to do it. Some listed buildings can’t even have the kitchen or bathroom updated! so if you’re not sure it’s always worth speaking to a heritage expert first.
Get Advice on Damp
Most older buildings are constructed very differently from modern properties, and with different materials. So they can have some issues when it comes to things like damp. Rather than blocking moisture with impermeable materials, homes were designed to breathe -which can allow moisture inside. If damp seems like it might be an issue, then you will need a specialist surveyor to find the root cause, and in damp expert with experience in listed buildings to fix the issues.
We know this list can feel a bit intimidating, but you shouldn’t let it put you off from buying a listed property. They can be fantastic haves with a lot of character, and you can make them more unique within the council permissions. At DNA Brickwork and Builders, we’ve worked on a number of listed properties, carrying out everything from bathroom refurbishments to full renovations. If you would like to find out more, just get in touch with the team today.
