Architecture Week: Listed Property Do’s & Don’ts

This week we are looking at architecture. Today’s blog is from a new blogger to our site-Kelly Marie Smith who is involved in the listed property sector.

Listed Property Do’s & Don’ts

Do’s

• Understand your rights regarding VAT on new work undertaken on a Listed Building.  The onus of deciding if tax is due or not rests with the builder, and he will want to charge it ‘Just in case’ and once its been paid there is no mechanism to reclaim from Customs & Excise.

• Be sure your home insurance policy is suitable for a Listed Building.  For a ‘Normal’ house in the eventuality of a claim, the matter is between you and your insurance company.  With a listed building English Heritage or the local Council Conservation Officer will insist any repairs or rebuilding match the original in both style and methods used and the owner is responsible for financing this work, whatever the cost!

• Make contact with your local Conservation Officer if you have just brought a Listed Building.  He can be your greatest friend and ally.  He will almost certainly know of houses near to you that have experienced all of the same problems that you will encounter.

• Ensure that when buying a listed building any alterations have the relevant listed building consent, it doesn’t matter who did the work or how long ago it was done, it is the current owners responsibility.

Don’ts

• Mix modern methods with traditional methods.  Your home will almost certainly be built with Lime Mortar and the use of cement in older buildings can do irreparable damage.

• Forget most products and materials were delivered to your home on a horse and cart and invariably they are from a local source.  If for example you want to colour match mortar look for a local sand supply and forget the builders merchants.

• Rush into making changes to your Listed Building.  Spend time in the house, and decide what works and what doesn’t and then slowly undertake each task.  The house has probably stood for several years and a few months consideration will be time well spent.

I’ve been working with the Listed Property Owners Club for the last 9 years, 4 of which I’ve been a director of the company.  I must admit that I have no qualifications when it comes to listed buildings, but I do know most of the problems and how to solve them.

Our aim is to provide information and advice to owners of listed buildings on any problem that might arise. We have a network of advisors, particularly for problems on VAT, Insurance, Planning etc.

You can find Kelly on Twitter here or contact here directly on their web site.

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