The city of Cardiff offers a mix of city, rural and suburban life. Given the county’s historic roots, there are no surprises that a number of homes are classed as Grade II listed. When buying a property that is Grade II listed it is important that you instruct conveyancing solicitors in Cardiff that are experienced at handling such properties. There are three types of listed building in the UK, this article will focus on the most common, being Grade II listed.
What is a Grade II listed home?
You might be wondering what a Grade II listed home is. These are homes which have been identified as having specific architectural or historical significance. It may be the whole house that is classed as Grade II listed or it may be certain features, for example a particular window or fireplace. Grade II listed homes are protected by set planning laws which ensure the important feature(s) are maintained and not destroyed as part of renovation works and over time.
It would be easy to assume that Grade II listed homes are older period properties, or those in designated conservation areas. However, being a Grade II listed home or having Grade II listed features is not limited to a particular era or style of property, nor is it defined by a particular age. Almost any property type can be classed as Grade II listed and there are over 0.5 million listed properties in England.
Things to consider
- Insurance – all property owners require buildings insurance, however for owners of a Grade II listed home, you will require specialist insurance which may carry a higher premium. The reason for this is based on the re-build cost of a listed building being in the hands of local authority planning department.
- Planning – Special permission will be need to granted from the local authority for any works to the property. This will be regardless of whether it is something large like an extension or renovation works, or in some cases, something seemingly simple such as erecting a satellite dish. The planning process often involves a lot of paperwork and you may require the assistant of a planning consultant specialising in listed buildings.
- Specialist contractors to complete works – Once consent for works has been granted, you will need to employ the services of a specialist contractor with experience in listed building renovation. This can be expensive which also extends to specific building materials that you may require over the standard. With a listed building, you will have a lot less choice on building materials.
- Maintenance Obligations – Owning any type of property carries maintenance costs, however with a grade II listed building, the costs can be higher than with a non-listed property. You may also have to maintain parts of the property more frequently than in a standard home.
There are some beautiful period and listed properties in the UK and by becoming custodian of such a home you can be rewarded with a truly beautiful home. However, you should carefully consider all elements before deciding to proceed with a grade II listed home.
