Property

Living history – advice on listed buildings

THE team at Manor & Hall are particularly passionate about period properties and that will often mean listed buildings, of which they have extensive knowledge.

When buying or selling a listed property, there are a few things they say you should consider. Owning a historic building is a truly wonderful thing; however, it is important to understand that you can never truly own a listed building because, as a heritage asset, it belongs to everyone and you cannot necessarily do as you wish with it.

There are over half a million listed buildings in England, broken down into three categories: Grade I, Grade II* and Grade II. Grade I listed buildings are dealt with by Historic England, Grade II* and Grade II are dealt with by the local authority planning and conservation departments on their behalf.

There is a common misconception with listed buildings that it’s “just the front elevation” or “just the outside” which is covered by the listing. This is entirely incorrect; all listed buildings, irrespective of their grade, are protected inside and out, including all permanent structures within the curtilage (land attached to the property).

The purpose of listing is not to “freeze a building in time” but simply to protect the special characteristics which make it worthy of being listed. While any works to the structure will likely require listed building consent, decorative and minor maintenance works would generally not.

It’s worth engaging the services of a surveyor with experience of listed buildings when purchasing your new home. The structure will be very different to that of a modern house! You will also need to ensure that your insurance company have an accurate rebuild figure as this is very likely to exceed the purchase price.

Should you be planning to undertake any major works to your home, Manor & Hall would recommend seeking guidance from your conservation officer at the outset to ascertain what is likely to be acceptable. Like you, your conservation officer will be passionate about your home and you will need to work together to safeguard its future.

if you have any questions or concerns regarding listed properties, please contact ryan at the Manor and Hall office in doulting; he has extensive experience of developing listed buildings. you can search the listed building list at: www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/

becoming a power buyer

Sally Killen of Killens looks at the importance of the “power buyer”

THE fast pace of the housing market has been well publicised and it seems as if the autumn housing market is going to be just as fast paced as it has been all year.

With stock levels at low levels, the competition for properties is great with the number of people chasing after every available property for sale at its highest ever. We are finding that there are many frustrated potential buyers looking to move but exasperated at the lack of available properties and the competition.

So, in this competitive market, agents and sellers are able to promote their properties to “power buyers” who are those who have already found a buyer for their own property, are chain-free, or have no need to sell at all.

Unfortunately, those not in that position will struggle to find their dream property.

There are three ways you can become a “power buyer”. These are: 1. Get a sale agreed on your current home before you buy 2. Get a mortgage in principle if you’re a first-time buyer 3. Let your estate agent know if you’re a cash buyer

The good news for potential buyers, as we enter the busy autumn period, is that we are seeing early signs of more properties coming to market. Nationally, the number of new listings in the first two weeks of September was 14 percent higher than the last two weeks of August.

Although this is still an early snapshot, autumn is traditionally a busy time for property – people put their homes on the market with the aim of starting the New Year in a new property – which should mean we see more and more choice coming through.

If you are considering selling, do contact any of our offices to arrange a free market appraisal. We are seeking properties to sell and let of all sizes and in all locations.