Tue Sep 6
When it comes to buying a house in the UK, more and more people are choosing to buy brand-new properties that are newly built and ready to live in. However, this doesn’t mean we should forget the period properties.
A period property is a property that has been built for some time, and whilst there are lots of amazing things about choosing this type of property for your home. It does come with some drawbacks too.
One of the biggest ones is the real estate laws and regulations that come with buying a period property. They are often incredibly outdated and can feel frustrating if you go through the process. Many potential buyers of period properties will give up on their dream before they even sign any papers.
To help you know more about this type of property, let’s look at our guide to period properties.
What makes a property a period property?
A period property is a property that was built during a specific time period. This means that it has an architectural style that is easy to spot and date.
It is important to note that there is no set time period to make a property a period property. Although, for the most part, it relates to those properties that were built before World War I.
Period properties are not the same as heritage or listed properties. These are graded in an entirely different way and therefore are protected by their own rules and regulations.
What do I need to know about the period property which I want to buy?
If you are looking to buy a period property, then there are a few things that you need to think about and keep in mind.
The main things that you need to ask before you go ahead and buy include:
- Are there any damp or structural issues?
- Does the property need to be re-roofed?
- Does the property have sash windows or any other key historical elements?
- Has the relevant local authority approved any recent repairs or renovations?
- Could you extend the property if it is allowed?
- Can the layout of the property be altered?
- Can any green energy approaches be installed as an alternative to the current setup?
Knowing the answers to these things will really help you to get on your way to understanding more about your period property and what hurdles you may need to face along the way.
If you really love the idea of buying a period property, but you are yet to find the perfect one for you, then it might be worth checking out your local property auctions. Property auctions will not only give you one avenue to finding your dream home, but if you are not sure what it is that you are looking for or how much those properties are going to cost you, then they can give you some idea of what you need to know.
