What are the issues when buying a listed building?

Buying a family home is an important investment, but when the property in question is a listed building it’s wise to proceed with caution. There are many responsibilities and restrictions that go with owning and maintaining a beautiful and important piece of history – far beyond the care needed for a standard property – that you need to be aware of before you buy.

Before you do anything else, take professional advice from a specialist listed building surveyor to get a clear picture of the property you are thinking of buying, and use an experienced conveyancer to help you navigate any legal pitfalls.

What is a listed building?

A listed building is a property that has been placed on one of the UK’s statutory lists: Historic England, Historic Environment Scotland, Cadw (Wales) or the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. Buildings or structures are listed because they are judged to be of national importance in terms of their specific historic and/or architectural interest.

There are 3 levels of listing – Grade I, Grade II* and Grade II listed, depending on the significance of the building’s features. 92% of listed buildings fall under Grade II listing. By placing the building on the list, the entire structure (exterior and interior) is protected by law.

What does this mean for the homeowner?

It is important to understand that planning control is significantly stricter when it comes to listed buildings compared to standard properties. Listed building control is additional to any planning regulations that would normally apply. The noble intention is to prevent unrestricted alteration, extension or demolition of a listed building without the express permission of your local planning authority.

In practice, if you’re thinking of purchasing a listed building, any renovations or extensions will require Listed Building Consent. Rather than simply being a case of extra paperwork, it means that your options will be limited when it comes to choosing materials and carrying out building work.

You will be expected to use like-for-like materials and traditional techniques, while home improvements such as installing a new kitchen or bathroom may not be straightforward. Some degree of negotiation will be needed to reach agreement with your local Conservation Officer.

Be advised that it is a criminal offence to carry out work that requires Listed Building Consent without obtaining this beforehand.

What are the problems with listed buildings?

While it’s easy to fall in love with the appeal of a listed building, they can come with issues. Because of the age, architectural style and method of construction, structural problems and damp are common concerns among listed period properties that may be expensive to remedy.

This is where an in-depth listed building survey can be an invaluable tool to ensure you don’t buy a problem property. The survey should point out any expenses that you may wish to deal with before a commitment to purchase, including damp, dry rot, timber defects and insect infestation.

It can also include the thorny issue of previously unapproved renovations that constitute a breach of Listed Building Consent such as UPVC window replacements, removing or adding internal walls. While you may not be aware of the changes, a local Conservation Officer will certainly see them and, as the new owner, you will be responsible for returning the property to its original state – at your own expense.

Ill-informed maintenance

Ongoing maintenance in a listed building is a specialist job, not one for the DIY enthusiast. It is an unfortunate fact that many building problems can actually be caused by a well-intentioned but poorly informed homeowner rather than through any fault of the building.

Period wooden features, for instance, don’t take to contemporary chemicals very well; they can lock in moisture and lead to decay. Sealing gaps in brickwork with cement is another no-no. Old building need to be able to breathe, so that moisture doesn’t become trapped within the brickwork causing decay.

Think before you act – with the right advice, many building problems can be prevented from occurring.

Always consult the experts

Purchasing a listed building should be a well considered decision. If you’ve had a listed building survey carried out and there aren’t any pressing issues, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to enjoy your home for many years to come.

Regular maintenance is required with all buildings, and you may just find that your listed property is built to be stronger and warmer than many modern buildings and new builds, and won’t cost any more to look after.

EAN Content

Content shared by this account is either news shared free by third parties or sponsored (paid for) content from third parties. Please be advised that links to third party websites are not endorsed by Estate Agent Networking - Please do your own research before committing to any third party business promoted on our website. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Popping the Asking Price Bubble

Where in the Uk Can Buyers Snap Up Property Bargains and Where Properties Go for a Premium Above Asking Price   New research from fast selling property company, Upstix has uncovered the UK’s most surprising postcodes for snapping up a property at bargain prices this year, highlighting a widening gap between sellers’ expectations and the…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Highest demand to lease office space since pre-pandemic

The latest insights from the UK’s number one commercial property website Rightmove, reveals that the number of unique enquiries to lease office space is at its highest point since pre-pandemic, as businesses look for spaces that meet modern requirements. Demand to lease office space is 19% higher than the same period a year ago and…
Read More
Planning disputes on new build land
Estate Agent Talk

Planning consultations for major infrastructure to be streamlined

Robert Bruce, a planning and infrastructure partner at law firm Freeths LLP, said he: “Welcomed the change as a significant step to speeding up the DCO process and the focus on the quality and effectiveness of the consultation, rather than box ticking and a risk averse approach to pre-application consultation due to the current legal…
Read More
Breaking News

‘The property ladder pulls further away’ warns Open Property Group

For many first-time buyers across England, the dream of homeownership continues to slip further out of reach. Despite rising wages, soaring house prices are making it harder than ever to get on the property ladder. A leading UK professional house buying company ‘Open Property Group’ based in Buckinghamshire UK, has raised concerns over the ongoing…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

How Long It Takes to Buy a House in the UK: 5 Common Delays That Can Slow Down Your Home Purchase

Wondering how long it takes to buy a house in the UK? The average timeline ranges from 8 to 22 weeks, but even that can stretch significantly due to unexpected delays, especially if you’re a first-time buyer or caught in a chain. That’s why working with experienced professionals like Belvoir — one of the UK’s…
Read More
Love or Hate Rightmove
Breaking News

Rightmove to host Renters’ Rights Bill webinar with Guild of Lettings

Rightmove is hosting a live and interactive webinar session with the Guild of Lettings to help agents get Renters’ Rights Ready. The webinar will take place from 10:00am – 11:00am on Wednesday 23rd April. Susie Crolla, Managing Director for the Guild of Lettings, will be joining Rightmove to help agents with questions they may have about…
Read More