Dear Reader
This is a very quick post today. A couple of days ago I mentioned a property that I was particularly interested in and said I would keep in touch. The first viewings were yesterday but I had not seen the legal pack as it had not yet been released.
One of my rules is unless it’s local never view a property without first seeing the legal pack. This is my rule of course and I can assure you the majority of people will go and view without having seen it. More of the worry is people who are viewing don’t even know what the legal pack is! Time and time again I’ve been on viewings and the amateurs are there, either alone and taking pictures but not writng anything down, or with a builder who’s rubbing his hands together.
Now the reason I won’t go on viewings without first reading the legal pack is two fold. One, there could be some nasty surprises in there e.g. Japanese knot weed, structural or freehold problems etc. The other very important reason is no one in their right mind is going to make an offer to buy the property pre-auction without first seeing the legal pack. This can sometimes be a good way to acquire a property and occasionally I will try to buy pre-auction but will never submit a bid until I’ve seen the legals.
Basically this is of historical interest and any alterations to the exterior or interior usually have to be approved by the Conservation Officer at the local council and if approved will be given Listed Building Consent. https://www.lpoc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/A-Guide-to-Owning-a-Listed-Building-1.pdf
Underneath is an example of a listed building. Look at the roof!
I think it was yesterday that I received an email informing me that this property was Grade 2 listed.After reading this email I immediately contacted the auction house to make enquiries regarding the interior and exterior condition. I was particularly interested in the interior as it had been converted into 2 self-contained flats. Upon further investigation I discovered there was no planning application submitted to the local council or for listed planning consent by the Conservation Officer.
It’s a criminal offence to alter a listed buildings fabric without consent so this could potentially be a red flag and a property which I won’t be getting involved with.
All is not lost though as I’m waiting for a call back from the auction appraiser who can hopefully shed some more light on any interior alterations which may have contravened the listed planning consent. I’ll keep you posted on this one.
Talk soon
Trevor.
