finding out house information (looks like it's derelict/abandoned)

SidewinderINC · 25-08-2012, 16:45

Hi all,

Is there any easy way of finding out info about houses that look like they're abandoned or not lived in?

There's a really nice looking house around the corner from us (http://goo.gl/maps/Gs1Bx) that is now completely overgrown, covered in graffiti and the outsides of the wooden window frames are starting to rot away. You can barely get to the front door from the gate, but think it would be a little awkward/rude to just go and knock the door if somebody does live there.

This question is not specific to this house, there have been loads of houses we have seen in the past that look like they could be really nice but are overgrown and look like they're abandoned.

I tried calling the council about one previously that was boarded up and got nowhere

they said they couldn't give any information out.

Anyone have any experience of stuff like this before?

Cheers

Matt.

Glaucus · 25-08-2012, 17:10

http://www.bbc.co.uk/homes/property/...s_the_property

Quote:

Finding out who owns the property
Once you've found an empty property, how do you know who owns it? It may be as simple as asking the people who live near by. If you explain to them why you want to know, they will probably be happy to tell you.

Many properties are registered at the Land Registry. For a small fee you can look at the register and see who the owner is. The HM Land Registry website for England and Wales is: www.landregisteronline.gov.uk, the Registers of Scotland Executive Agency is: www.ros.gov.uk and the Land Registry of Northern Ireland is: www.lrni.gov.uk.

Most local authorities have a register of empty properties and know who the owner is. Local authorities have different policies on disclosing this information. If your local authority won't tell you, you could put the request in writing citing the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

SidewinderINC · 25-08-2012, 17:13

Cheers

Done some searching as it's such a peculiar house to still be standing there bearing in mind the surroundings.

here's a little more on this building : http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co...1-11-gravesend

can buy the information from the land registry for £4 or just ask the neighbours.
I think it'll be quite pricey if it's listed.

Glaucus · 25-08-2012, 23:42

Does that says its listed?

SidewinderINC · 26-08-2012, 09:33

I've checked british heritage which says it's definitely listed and the land registry shows that there are provisions to change, but doesn't detail anything more than that.

I though there would be laws/requirements for listed buildings to not be allowed to fall into a state of disrepair?
If you have to request planning permission to make changes surely letting it fall apart is just the same?

Mark · 26-08-2012, 12:45

Assuming it's Grade II (most are), then "Grade II buildings are of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve them." (source: DCMS).

Doesn't sound like a statutory mandate to prevent dereliction to me.

A Place of Light · 26-08-2012, 12:54

If the building is listed, and you'd want to make alterations or do some building work, it can be problematic to say the least.

SidewinderINC · 26-08-2012, 18:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark

Assuming it's Grade II (most are), then "Grade II buildings are of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve them." (source: DCMS).

Doesn't sound like a statutory mandate to prevent dereliction to me.

Thank you for defining what a grade two listed building is, I really had no idea......
Wasn't sure whether anyone knew for sure so did some additional searching.

as it happens

http://www.burnley.gov.uk/site/scrip...4&pageNumber=3

http://www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/defau...sintodisrepair

https://www.gloucester.gov.uk/LGNL/H...available.aspx

And that does cover Grade II as well as Grade I and Grade II*

I figured as much APoL, and considering what this house looks like from the outside I can foresee a lot of work being needed on the inside. There's a few smaller outhouses in the back garden from what I can see - no idea about what's out there though.

I'm quite intrigued about this house now though haha.

BBx · 26-08-2012, 19:03

Planning on squatting somewhere?!

BB x

SidewinderINC · 26-08-2012, 19:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBx

Planning on squatting somewhere?!

BB x

shhh

25-08-2012, 16:45	#1
SidewinderINC Joey Tempest Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Gravesend. Posts: 2,751	finding out house information (looks like it's derelict/abandoned) Hi all, Is there any easy way of finding out info about houses that look like they're abandoned or not lived in? There's a really nice looking house around the corner from us (http://goo.gl/maps/Gs1Bx) that is now completely overgrown, covered in graffiti and the outsides of the wooden window frames are starting to rot away. You can barely get to the front door from the gate, but think it would be a little awkward/rude to just go and knock the door if somebody does live there. This question is not specific to this house, there have been loads of houses we have seen in the past that look like they could be really nice but are overgrown and look like they're abandoned. I tried calling the council about one previously that was boarded up and got nowhere they said they couldn't give any information out. Anyone have any experience of stuff like this before? Cheers Matt. __________________ No Sig.

25-08-2012, 17:13	#3
SidewinderINC Joey Tempest Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Gravesend. Posts: 2,751	Cheers Done some searching as it's such a peculiar house to still be standing there bearing in mind the surroundings. here's a little more on this building : http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co...1-11-gravesend can buy the information from the land registry for £4 or just ask the neighbours. I think it'll be quite pricey if it's listed. __________________ No Sig.

25-08-2012, 23:42	#4
Glaucus Absinthe Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,855	Does that says its listed? __________________

26-08-2012, 09:33	#5
SidewinderINC Joey Tempest Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Gravesend. Posts: 2,751	I've checked british heritage which says it's definitely listed and the land registry shows that there are provisions to change, but doesn't detail anything more than that. I though there would be laws/requirements for listed buildings to not be allowed to fall into a state of disrepair? If you have to request planning permission to make changes surely letting it fall apart is just the same? __________________ No Sig.

26-08-2012, 12:54	#7
A Place of Light Absinthe Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,247	If the building is listed, and you'd want to make alterations or do some building work, it can be problematic to say the least. __________________ I'm not Burnsy, you cretin.

26-08-2012, 12:45	#6
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Assuming it's Grade II (most are), then "Grade II buildings are of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve them." (source: DCMS). Doesn't sound like a statutory mandate to prevent dereliction to me.

26-08-2012, 19:03	#9
BBx Reverse SuBo Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: London Posts: 8,673	Planning on squatting somewhere?! BB x