At this time of the year, as the nights begin to draw in and our thoughts turn towards the festive season, what could be better than snuggling up in a centuries-old house while the logs crackle in the ancient chimney?
Well, if you are one of the one-million-plus people in this country who owns a heritage property, nothing. But for a lot of would-be buyers, the thought of constantly maintaining and preserving such a home fills them with dread.
However, it may not be as hard as you think and there is plenty of information, advice and practical guidance on hand should you need it.
Dawn Carritt, director and historic property expert at Jackson-Stops, says: “There is nothing to be scared of when purchasing a listed or older property. There are plenty of people who can assist you.”
But where to start? First and foremost you should find out whether the property is listed and if it is, what grade it is – this will help you establish just how much you can do to your property in terms of exterior and interior renovations.
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) uses the following criteria to decide which buildings fall into the category of protected buildings: architectural interest (relating to design, decoration and craftsmanship); historic interest (those illustrating an aspect of the nation’s social, economic, cultural or military history); historic association (buildings that demonstrate close historical association with nationally important people or events); group value (buildings that form part of an architectural ensemble, such as squares, terraces or model villages).
The listing is then broken down into three categories: Grade I – of exceptional interest; Grade II – particularly important buildings of more than special interest; Grade III – special interest warranting every effort to preserve them. Over 90% of all listed buildings fall into this grade.
Once this has been established, it is worth contacting the local authority to determine its policy on heritage properties – for example, something as basic as putting up a satellite dish will, in many cases, require permission. Kingston Council makes it clear that ‘listed’ status applies to the whole building – both inside and out.
Having said that, councils are aware that in order to best preserve these dwellings, they need to be occupied and cared for and, therefore, are often more open to owners’ needs than you may think. If in doubt contact your local planning officer who should be happy to explain matters further.
For major structural changes, you will require an architect. RIBA – the body that oversees the profession – not only has a list of suitably qualified people but also offers a guide to the whole process of renovation.
So what are you waiting for?
For more details, visit: historicengland.co.uk; architecture.com
