Buying a Listed Property Lawyers
Legal Expertise for Buying a Listed Property
There are over half a million listed buildings in England alone. If you’ve set your heart on buying a pre-Victorian property, there’s a high likelihood it will be listed.
These buildings can be used for either residential or commercial use but often come with restrictions as to how the buildings can be altered, renovated, or decorated.
The Home Property team has extensive experience managing the purchase of listed buildings with a rich history on behalf of buyers to ensure they are fully aware of any legal requirements and obligations that may be applicable when buying one of these historic buildings.
What Are the Different Categories of Listed Buildings?
If a building is ‘listed’, it means it’s included on the statutory list of “buildings of special architectural or historic interest”.
The classification protects buildings from alterations that may negatively impact the character of the building and its historical significance.
In most cases, the status protects the entire building along with any structures attached to the building, including modern extensions.
In England and Wales, there are three categories of listed buildings:
- Grade I (2.5% of listed buildings) – buildings of exceptional interest
- Grade II* (5.5% of listed buildings) – buildings of particular importance
- Grade II (92% of listed buildings) – buildings of special architectural or historic interest
What Do You Need to Know Before Buying a Listed Property?
- Your house will be on a national register of listed properties, searchable on the Historic England website.
- You’ll have to get planning authority from your local authority for any alterations you want to carry out, including extensions or changes to the internal layout.
- It will cost more to run and repair. At times, you may have to use specialist materials or hire tradespeople with specialist skills to carry out work on the features around the property, and energy efficiency improvements such as double glazing or insulation may not be permitted.
- You’ll need to get a specialist insurance policy. The rebuild cost of a listed building will be significantly more than an unlisted building, as the local authority will determine how and if it will be rebuilt.
Top Tips for Buying Historic Properties
If you’ve got your eye on a listed building, follow this checklist to make sure you’re fully informed before buying:
- Research and understand the reasons for listing. The National Heritage List for England provides specific details on why the property is listed.
- Use a surveyor who specialises in listed buildings. They will understand how your home is constructed and will be aware of special considerations relating to its repair and maintenance.
- Don’t assume you will be able to make changes to the property. You should consider taking advice from a heritage expert – many buyers’ main concern is what they can and can’t do to the property, particularly if it’s in need of renovation.
- Check that any previous work has been authorised. If previous owners have carried out work on the property without gaining the necessary consent, you will become liable for correcting any mistakes. You should check if your insurance covers this.
Reach Out to Our Expert Buying A Listed Property Team
Our conveyancers help individuals, couples and families buy their new homes every day.
We’re with you every step of the way, from pre-contract right through to land registry and completion and it’s our job to make the whole process as smooth and stress-free as possible. We’ve supported our clients in buying a wide range of properties – from rural, urban, leasehold, freehold and new builds to listed properties.
We have also built excellent relationships with industry contacts, such as:
- Surveyors
- Estate agents
- Brokers
- Accountants
- Mortgage lenders
- Search provider
- Other solicitors
No matter the stage of your buying journey, we can help. Get in touch with one of our experts today by calling us on 0333 433 0275 or send us an email at hello@homepropertylaw.co.uk.
