Listed buildings in the UK are the oldest and arguably some of the most beautiful. There is a wide range of building that are listed in the UK, ranging from normal homes to castles and even barns. So, what is it like to live in and own such a property. And more importantly, what happens when it comes to grade 2 listed building repairs.
Listed buildings are deemed to be of significant interest. What this means is that for carrying out even simple grade 2 listed building repairs you may need to apply for permission. Gaining approval for repairs can be tricky. The likelihood of being granted permission will depend on what changes you wish to make.
Grade 2 Listed Building Repairs : Why are Buildings Listed
Buildings in the UK are listed and given such status when they are of architectural or historical interest. Listing them protects them against demolition or change. Making inappropriate alterations to a listed building is of course illegal. All buildings that were constructed before 1700 are automatically listed, and most that were built before 1840. For a building to be given a listed status it must be at least 30 years old.
There are 3 different grades of listed, the vast majority being grade 2. Grade 1 listed buildings make up just 2.5% of listed buildings, grade 2* making up a further 5.5%. If you are unsure whether your home or the building you wish to purchase is listed, you can contact your local planning authority. County council offices have public listings for all such properties. If you are still uncertain, Bristol Builders Network can source all the information you need for you.
Owning and Repairing a Listed Building
There are no two ways about it. Owning a listed building is a privilege. But one that comes with a lot of responsibility. You will be owning a part of history, that in turn will add value to your property. But, on the flip side, grade 2 listed building repairs can be quite frequent, and of course, trickier than simple building work. Even for obvious repairs you will need permission before you get started.
If you are worried about the cost of the upkeep of your property, you can apply for grants from the English Heritage, or the HMBC. If there is physical evidence that you are not keeping up with the maintenance of your property you can actually be served with a repairs notice. This means that you need to be financially prepared to take on your new property.
Bristol Builders Network have a team of conservation builders that can take care of all your grade 2 listed building repairs. From replacing rotten window frames to building extensions, we have all areas of listed buildings covered. If you are thinking of investing in a listed building, order an inspection from our qualified and specialised conservation builders team. We can give you a realistic figure of how much it will cost to maintain and repair your new or existing property.