Purchasing a Listed Building is like owning your own piece of British History. Listed Properties are defined by their historical and architectural significance and there are an estimated 430,000 Listed Buildings in England and Wales.
However, despite their undeniable appeal, Listed Buildings present their own set of unique legal challenges. It is important that Buyers are aware of the issues that arise when purchasing a Listed Property or they could risk facing legal disputes and hefty financial penalties in the future.
Below we have compiled a list of the top 5 things to always consider when you are purchasing a Listed Property.
- ALWAYS work out what level of listing the Property is
Listed Buildings in England and Wales are classified into 3 grades: Grade I, Grade II, and Grade II*. Depending on which grade the property you intend to purchase falls into will determine the level of interest in the property and the extent of the protection required to maintain the property’s historical features.
Grade I Listed Buildings are considered of the most exceptional national importance, and account for just 2.5% of all Listed Properties. Grade II Listed Buildings account for over 90% of Listed Properties and are deemed of special interest and often require the owners to preserve the historic features of the property. Grade II* properties make up around 5.8% of Listed Buildings and are judged to be of even more national importance than Grade II.
- ALWAYS obtain proof of Building Consent prior to your purchase
When purchasing a Listed Building, you must request the property’s consent paperwork which outlines the work carried out on the property by previous owners. As soon as you buy the property you will become responsible for all of the unauthorised work carried out prior to your purchase. It is crucial to make sure all previous works were made in accordance with relevant Building Consent, and make sure you are not liable for any fine.
- ALWAYS get Listed Building Consent prior to making any alterations
If you intend to make alterations to the Listed Property, you must acquire the appropriate Listed Building Consent prior to making any modifications. If you fail to do this, this will constitute a criminal offence, hefty financial consequences or even a prison sentence. To ensure you do not risk legal action being taken against you, you must seek out the appropriate Listed Building Consent.
It is also important to watch out for any provisions within the Listed Building Consent which may require you to use specific techniques or resources to maintain the specific architectural character of the property.
- ALWAYS make sure to take out the correct Home Insurance
Not all insurance companies will be able to provide policies that can provide an adequate level of protection that is required for a Listed Building. Usually repairs to Listed Buildings are costly, so it is important to choose a specialist insurance policy which cover Listed Buildings.
- ALWAYS consider getting a full structural survey
It is always worthwhile considering getting a full structural survey for Listed Buildings, which can be carried out by a Chartered Building Surveyor. These surveys can provide a more in-depth analysis of the property and reveal hidden defects to the property which are not always apparent from an in-person viewing. You should then enquire as to whether Listed Building Consent has been obtained for those works revealed.
For more information and to find out how we can help you, please contact us on 0345 646 0406 or fill in our online enquiry form and a member of our Team will be in touch.