Buying a Listed Property Guide

There are over 16,000 grade II listed buildings in London alone. These historic properties are full of character and period charm. If living in a piece of English history sounds appealing, a listed building could be for you. But there are a few things you should consider before buying.

Categories of listed buildings

A building is listed when it is of particular architectural or historical interest and is therefore considered worth protecting. Listed buildings come in three categories:

Grade I – buildings of outstanding historical, national or architectural interest

Grade II* – buildings of particular importance

Grade II – buildings of special architectural or historic interest

Most residential listed buildings are grade II as the vast majority of listed buildings(92%) fall into this category.

What you need to know when buying a listed building

Here are a few things you should be aware of when buying a listed building:

• Your property will be on Historic England’s national register. All buildings constructed before 1700 are likely to be listed, as are most of those built between 1700 and 1850.

• You’ll need official consent from the relevant local authority to make any changes or renovations. The listing covers the whole building, including the interior and in some cases extends to external structures and gardens. If permission is granted, you may need to use specialist materials or techniques to ensure the building’s character remains.

• It will cost more to run and repair. Listed properties require ongoing restoration work, which you will have to pay for. When you renovate a listed property, you will likely need specialists to do the job, which can be more expensive than a standard builder.

• You’ll need specialist home insurance. This is because home insurance is based on the cost of a rebuild. As rebuilding a listed property would require specialist techniques and materials, insurance may be expensive.

• You may be able to get a grant for repairs. Historic England occasionally offers grants to owners of listed buildings to assist with repairing and conserving historical buildings that are at risk of being lost.

Top tips for buying a listed building

• Check the Historic England website to find out what aspects of the building are protected so that you know what features you will not be able to change.

• Check that any previous work has been authorised. If there are works that have been done without consent, as the new owner, you will be obliged to put it right. It is a good idea to use a solicitor who is experienced in listed buildings as they will know the right enquires to make.

• Have a full structural survey that will provide information on the building’s materials, its general condition and any causes for concern. Use a surveyor who specialises in listed buildings as they will be familiar with how historic buildings are constructed.

• Don’t assume you will be able to make changes to the property. If you are considering buying a listed building with a view to making alterations, speak to a conversation officer at the local council to discuss your plans informally before you exchange contracts.

Get in touch today if you’re looking to invest in a listed property in Maida Vale, Marylebone, Mayfair, and other central London locations. We can advise you on everything you need to know about buying a listed property in these areas.