Why some Historic Buildings have Bricked Up Windows

Have you ever seen an historic building that appears to have one or more of the window openings bricked / blocked up? These are usually neat in how they appear, rendered over neatly as opposed to breeze blocks with untidy mortar joints, though nonetheless quite evident that within the original build of the house there would have once been a window. Mostly larger property you will note this on, it could simply be one window which was bricked or at times several to include one within the property frontage and usually on the sides also.

So why are these window openings now blocked up? Well we can blame William III for this way back in 1696 when a window tax was introduced (said to have been introduced so to cover revenue lost by the clipping of coinage)! What this taxation did was to burden out the tax to those who could afford, ie those with bigger homes thus more likely to have plenty of windows. Property with less that 10 windows were exempt from paying and the more windows you had the more you had to pay per window (For example, for a house in 1747 with ten to 14 windows, the tax was 6d per window; it increased to 9d with more windows.) This taxation system did not always work out well for all situations as some larger tenanted property with multiple rooms / apartments also saw heavy taxes due for windows which the landlord had to pay and simply passed the costs on to their tenants.

We all hate paying taxes and many people looked at avoiding the payments and this is where the blocked windows we see today happened as such – People started to brick up windows to reduce their costs which in turn also reduced the amount of windows added to new build property at the time.

Though highly unpopular, the window tax lasted until 1851 where it was final dismissed following research and demands from the medical professionals at the time who claimed that the lack of natural light and ventilation caused ill heath.

In 1850, Dickens wrote about the window tax in Household Words, a magazine that he published for a number of years:

The adage ‘free as air’ has become obsolete by Act of Parliament. Neither air nor light have been free since the imposition of the window-tax. We are obliged to pay for what nature lavishly supplies to all, at so much per window per year; and the poor who cannot afford the expense are stinted in two of the most urgent necessities of life.

Bytheway, a brick tax was introduced in 1784 during the reign of King George III, we will leave this story for another time…

Christopher Walkey

Founder of Estate Agent Networking. Internationally invited speaker on how to build online target audiences using Social Media. Writes about UK property prices, housing, politics and affordable homes.

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agents should not all look the same
Estate Agent Talk

How to Become an Estate Agent with No Experience

Breaking into the property industry can seem intimidating – especially if you’ve never worked in it before. But the good news? You don’t need years of experience or fancy qualifications to start a career as an estate agent in the UK. In fact, many successful estate agents started with no background in property at all.…
Read More
buying at auction uk
Estate Agent Talk

9 Advantages of Selling Your House by Auction

Selling your house by auction might seem like a daunting prospect, but it comes with numerous advantages that can make it a highly attractive option. While the traditional method of selling through an estate agent has its place, auctions are increasingly becoming a popular choice for homeowners looking for a swift and reliable sale. Here…
Read More
Breaking News

Majority of Tenants Unsure How Changes Will Affect Them, Says LRG

With major changes to the private rental sector on the horizon, 62% of tenants say they don’t know whether the government’s Renters’ Rights Bill will address their concerns – highlighting a growing need for clearer communication around what the reforms will mean in practice. LRG’s latest Lettings Report shows that while landlords are widely aware…
Read More
Home and Living

Perfume Storage Tips: How to Keep Your Fragrances Fresh

Perfumes are sensitive compositions that can be significantly affected by how they are stored. Proper storage ensures that your favorite fragrances stay fresh and maintain their intended scent profile. In this article, we’ll explore practical, fun, and effective tips to help you preserve your perfumes in perfect condition. Understanding the Sensitivity of Perfumes Perfumes are…
Read More
Breaking News

Renters’ Rights Bill Delay Causing Uncertainty for Tenants and Landlords

Ministers need to tell landlords and tenants when measures in the Renters’ Rights Bill will take effect the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is today warning. The Government pledged last year to abolish Section 21 ‘no explanation’ repossessions and to make other changes to the rental market this summer. With the Bill not scheduled to…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 02/04/25

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Made Snappy 360 appoints new CEO and Sales Director to accelerate growth in the property technology space Made Snappy 360, the fast-growing proptech company known for its virtual tours and floor plan technology, has appointed industry veteran Mark Beresford-Ward as its new Chief Executive…
Read More