How to find out when a property was built and why it’s important to know
A leading provider of niche and specialist insurance to the home insurance market, Stanhope, has provided a step-by-step guide to finding out when a property was built and explained why it is so important for the homeowner to know its age.
Matthew Ashton a Director of Stanhope said: “Knowing the property’s age is crucial for homeowners, for a number of reasons. Firstly, insurers need to know when it was built so that they can assess risk. This is particularly important for high value property insurance. Secondly, knowing its age is useful in predicting the cost of home renovations as it provides a better understanding of what materials and techniques may be needed.
“Calculating a property’s age is also crucial to determining its rebuild value, which is needed when obtaining a quote for home insurance, because it protects the owner against being left underinsured, in the event of the worst happening. The age of the property also affects its market value when trying to sell it. Homes with historical or architectural significance can be very attractive to home buyers and may increase their value.”
The Stanhope step-by-step guide to finding out when a home was built:
Check the title deeds to establish the first transfer date from developer to owner and the year built.
Search the Land Registry, which holds property ownership records.
Contact the local council as they hold planning records that may identify when a house was built, as well as the relevant planning permissions and building control documents.
For older homes (pre-1940s), check historical maps and archives, which can be a treasure trove. These include ordnance survey maps, census records and listed building registers.
Matthew Ashton continued: “Being aware of when your house was built isn’t just something that is nice-to-know, it’s essential knowledge when it comes to fully understanding the insurance risks your home faces and how best to keep it properly maintained and protected.”
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