0:00:02 > 0:00:04There are nearly 1 million homes lying abandoned in the UK,
0:00:04 > 0:00:08just waiting for someone to breathe life back into them.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12Whether it's a tired semi or a rambling mansion, we're on the search for Britain's Empty Homes.
0:00:22 > 0:00:27We're on a mission to discover how empty properties can be turned back
0:00:27 > 0:00:32into homes again, and to show you how one could become your next home.
0:00:32 > 0:00:37'First, I'll be trying to convince a home-hunter how readily a vacant house could be transformed
0:00:37 > 0:00:39'to suit her needs.'
0:00:39 > 0:00:42As you can see, it does need an awful lot doing to it.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46- Are you daunted by it?- No!- "No!" - Takes a lot to daunt me.
0:00:46 > 0:00:52'We're on the beat with the people whose job it is to track down the owners of abandoned houses
0:00:52 > 0:00:54'to get them lived in again.'
0:00:54 > 0:00:57You've got a roof terrace. Doesn't get much better, does it?
0:00:58 > 0:01:02And we'll be looking around a couple of homes that have been rescued
0:01:02 > 0:01:05from ruin and lovingly restored.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09To the uninitiated buyer, standing on the threshold of an empty property
0:01:09 > 0:01:15may not immediately be that appealing. But once having seen inside and recognised the potential
0:01:15 > 0:01:21on offer, it's easy to see how many of these buildings can be transformed into dream homes.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26Lynda Grey is on the hunt for a new home to buy in Yorkshire.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29Since she successfully sold her home a couple of months ago,
0:01:29 > 0:01:33she's living in rented accommodation with her youngest daughter, Becky.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37But now Lynda is looking for a place to do up to call their own again.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41'I'm struggling, really, to find what I want to live in.'
0:01:41 > 0:01:46So I'm temporarily renting here, so that I can make sure I get the exact property I'm looking for
0:01:46 > 0:01:52this time around, because I'm hoping that's going to be my final home until I retire.
0:01:53 > 0:01:58'We're very sociable people. We like to entertain quite often. My daughter has lots of friends round.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02'So I need the space for her and her friends when they come round,
0:02:02 > 0:02:07'but I also need somewhere that I can get away from them and their noise.'
0:02:07 > 0:02:11We've realised, with the dog, we need a garden, definitely.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13That's a real important criteria.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17As a self-employed book-keeper, Lynda needs a home-office,
0:02:17 > 0:02:21and add to that an extra guest bedroom for family and friends.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25'I'm really looking forward to finding a property that we can renovate.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27'I've done a lot of renovations'
0:02:27 > 0:02:33over the years, so I'm hoping that this will be my last one!
0:02:33 > 0:02:37'So Lynda's up for a challenge, which is why I want to convince her
0:02:37 > 0:02:41'that taking on an empty property could be very rewarding indeed.'
0:02:41 > 0:02:45- Hi, Lynda.- Hello. - Nice to see you.- And you.
0:02:45 > 0:02:50Now, just give me a sort of rounded picture of the kind of property you're looking for.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54I want, um, an open-planned space, kitchen/breakfast room.
0:02:54 > 0:03:01If we have a nice lounge with an open fire, that would be lovely, that would be our sort of warm space.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05- So it sounds like you're quite a practical person.- Yeah, I am, yeah.
0:03:05 > 0:03:11- So knocking down walls, that sort of thing, not a problem?- No. I'm up for knocking things down,
0:03:11 > 0:03:16destructive things! But I'm hoping that maybe some of my friends will give me a bit of advice
0:03:16 > 0:03:19- on the creative side of things, to be honest.- Yeah.
0:03:19 > 0:03:25- Given that you're renting, you are hot to trot, aren't you? You're ready to move.- Yeah. Cash buyer.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29- Now, how much cash are we talking about?- Um, well, the maximum,
0:03:29 > 0:03:33to incorporate all the renovations etc,
0:03:33 > 0:03:37- probably 450 is my budget.- 450.- Yeah.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40And in terms of area, where would you ideally like to be?
0:03:40 > 0:03:44I'd like to be in Harrogate or Knaresborough, or in between the two.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48- Hopefully, we can find you something interesting.- Yeah, I hope so!
0:03:49 > 0:03:54So Lynda wants a place somewhere in the region of Knaresborough and Harrogate,
0:03:54 > 0:03:57where she can have open-plan living but with a living room of her own, too,
0:03:57 > 0:04:01three to four bedrooms, and a garden for Rocky the dog,
0:04:01 > 0:04:04all for a budget of £450,000.
0:04:07 > 0:04:13So, the first place I have lined up for Lynda to view is in the handsome town of Harrogate.
0:04:13 > 0:04:19Famous for its fortifying spa waters, it also has some of the most desirable properties in Yorkshire.
0:04:19 > 0:04:25Unearthing a vacant gem here could provide Lynda with the potential for a perfect home and within budget.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28OK, Lynda, let's stop here. This is actually on the market
0:04:28 > 0:04:30for 379,950.
0:04:30 > 0:04:36- I'd have expected that.- Yeah?- Yeah. - Obviously, you've been thinking about property in this area.- Yeah.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38D'you think that's a fair price?
0:04:38 > 0:04:41Um, well, I'll have to have a look inside to tell you that, really!
0:04:41 > 0:04:45The million-dollar question! Right, come on.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49'The house has been waiting for a buyer to recognise its potential since its owner moved out
0:04:49 > 0:04:54'a few months ago. It's got four to five possible bedrooms of varying sizes,
0:04:54 > 0:04:58'a kitchen-diner, a large garden and not one but two living rooms.'
0:04:58 > 0:05:02As you can see, Lynda, this is technically another reception room,
0:05:02 > 0:05:05but in terms of your big, open-plan kitchen-diner,
0:05:05 > 0:05:07come and look at this...
0:05:07 > 0:05:11- Gosh, it's a big kitchen, isn't it?- Isn't it?- Yeah.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- Could easily get a table in here as well.- Oh, yeah. Yeah.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17- But you could, as well... - Take out the wall.
0:05:17 > 0:05:22- Yeah, take a lot of this out and give you a real flow through.- Yeah.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25- And it would be...- A living kitchen, actually, wouldn't it?
0:05:25 > 0:05:30- A sort of living room/kitchen. - This is probably where you'd spend most of your time.- Yeah.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33With a cosy reception room next door with the fireplace and all that.
0:05:33 > 0:05:38When I walk into properties, I either like them straight away or I don't, and I like the property,
0:05:38 > 0:05:42- I must say, I like the feel of this. - Let's continue with the downstairs.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45We've got two bedrooms down here for you to have a look at.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48And let's think about Becky.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53Now, down here, quite a big shower room and bathroom.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56- OK.- Separate WC in there.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00Technically, this has four bedrooms on the spec. That's one of them.
0:06:00 > 0:06:05- OK.- Not a bad size. But you may have a few other ideas for that.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07But this is what I'm thinking for Becky...
0:06:07 > 0:06:10Do you think your daughter would be happy in here?
0:06:10 > 0:06:14My only feeling about this is it's not very big,
0:06:14 > 0:06:17- for a room for Becky.- Gosh, I wonder how much stuff she DOES have!
0:06:17 > 0:06:21- A lot! She's a girl! - Yes, silly me - of course!
0:06:21 > 0:06:25Um, well, I suppose that leads us on neatly to think about somewhere for YOU,
0:06:25 > 0:06:28being the other girl in the family,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31- and somewhere that can incorporate all YOUR stuff.- Yeah.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33- We're thinking you would be... - Upstairs.- ..upstairs.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42Now, this, in terms of a bedroom
0:06:42 > 0:06:45- for you...- Yeah.- ..what do you think?- Nice size, yeah.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49- Definitely.- But across the landing there is another separate bathroom
0:06:49 > 0:06:53and a couple of rooms which I think are quite interesting.
0:06:53 > 0:06:54That's the bathroom.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58This is quite funny. Bit more storage. Have a look at that!
0:06:58 > 0:07:02- Lovely!- Clearly, a little girl's room once upon a time,
0:07:02 > 0:07:04- but you can use that as storage. - Yeah, definitely.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08There's another room here, have a look at this one...
0:07:10 > 0:07:15- Yeah, you could have quite a lot of wardrobes in here.- Loads.
0:07:15 > 0:07:21I can imagine you being up here and then, you know, the kids would have the run of downstairs.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25- And then you've got all that great big reception space as well.- Yeah.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27- It would work well.- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31So we've dealt with you, we've dealt with the kids, how about the dog?
0:07:31 > 0:07:35- The dog.- The dog! Let's look at the garden.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40OK, somewhere for the retriever.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42I don't know how much of a garden you want.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46Always difficult to know until you see one. Size-wise, would this work?
0:07:46 > 0:07:49It's a perfect size for me, absolutely.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52So now Lynda's seen it all, time to get some costs.
0:07:52 > 0:07:58We asked a local architect to come round and measure up for knocking through the kitchen,
0:07:58 > 0:08:03reconfiguring the living area and for an overall cosmetic updating throughout the house.
0:08:03 > 0:08:09- He's given us a quote of round about £30,000. So, 410... - Yeah.- ..or thereabouts.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13- It's certainly shy of 450. - That's not a bad price, actually.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16- Yeah.- Yeah. A lot of house for that. - It IS a lot of house for that.
0:08:16 > 0:08:21- It's one to think about, anyway. - Yeah, definitely. - Let's keep searching. Come on.
0:08:23 > 0:08:28'Taking on a project of some magnitude is often best tackled in stages,'
0:08:28 > 0:08:32which is just what Pippa Peyton and her husband, Scott, did
0:08:32 > 0:08:36when they bought a crumbling manor and coach house in Oxfordshire.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39We literally drove up the driveway, saw the house
0:08:39 > 0:08:42and just said, "Yes, we want it."
0:08:42 > 0:08:45The house itself was empty for about 2½ years
0:08:45 > 0:08:48and the previous owners had lived here for about 50 years,
0:08:48 > 0:08:52so we knew that it was a very well-loved family house,
0:08:52 > 0:08:55although in need of some significant renovation.
0:08:57 > 0:09:02The coach house itself was still in its existing form
0:09:02 > 0:09:05with three coaching bays
0:09:05 > 0:09:07and next door was a stable
0:09:07 > 0:09:10with what had been a hay barn above it,
0:09:10 > 0:09:13which had had some kind of conversion in the '60s,
0:09:13 > 0:09:15but hadn't been lived in.
0:09:16 > 0:09:21I didn't really want to be living in the main house
0:09:21 > 0:09:27while we were doing that up and trying to run a business and we have two young children as well,
0:09:27 > 0:09:33so I felt it was better to do the coach house up first,
0:09:33 > 0:09:39and actually live in it while we tackle the bigger project, really, which is the manor house.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42The challenge was just how to turn the coach house into a home.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46We then took the decision to make the coaching bay side
0:09:46 > 0:09:52into the cottage, which is one open-plan area downstairs
0:09:52 > 0:09:56with a sitting-room, dining area, kitchen
0:09:56 > 0:09:59and bathroom, all off the main area,
0:09:59 > 0:10:05and then a double bedroom upstairs with a smaller bedroom for the children.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11We then decided that the other side, which is the bigger side
0:10:11 > 0:10:15and has basically two large areas,
0:10:15 > 0:10:17now makes up two studios,
0:10:17 > 0:10:20which is for our interior design and renovation business.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24We took out the ceiling and we've exposed all the original beams,
0:10:24 > 0:10:27which are lovely and have been untouched.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30They're also the original dovecotes in there,
0:10:30 > 0:10:32so you can see exactly where they are.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36It's a lovely light, airy room now that we've put a new window in.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38It's a very, very nice place to work.
0:10:41 > 0:10:46I think it probably cost about £270,000.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50We then spent about £130,000 on it,
0:10:50 > 0:10:57and if we were to sell I suspect it would be valued at about 600-650.
0:10:57 > 0:11:02It's a great way of seeing a building come to life
0:11:02 > 0:11:05and making it your home.
0:11:05 > 0:11:10By doing it yourself, I think it makes the end result even more worthwhile.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Homes are built to be lived in.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19It's the job of the nation's empty property officers
0:11:19 > 0:11:21to track down the owners of abandoned ones
0:11:21 > 0:11:27and persuade them that their houses are actually of far more value if they allow people to do just that -
0:11:27 > 0:11:28to live in them.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32In Westminster, the man with this job is Paul Palmer,
0:11:32 > 0:11:34but when owners refuse to cooperate,
0:11:34 > 0:11:38Paul and the council must take control of a building's future themselves.
0:11:38 > 0:11:43This building in Soho was acquired by the council with the help of the police
0:11:43 > 0:11:49and other agencies, as a result of a crackdown on residential places used illegally for commercial purposes.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52- How are you?- Very well, thank you. Thanks for meeting me.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54- Come in and take a look.- Lovely, looking forward to this.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58Newly renovated, the building is now ready to house council tenants.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01A bit different from when I was here last time.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04It certainly is. It's changed beyond all recognition.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07So this is flat C, Paul.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11- This floor wasn't here at all in its original state.- Right.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13If I show you round the rest of the unit
0:12:13 > 0:12:17you'll see how spacious they are compared to how they used to be before.
0:12:17 > 0:12:22- Yeah.- This is the top floor kitchen, Paul, which I think has come out really well.
0:12:22 > 0:12:23It's lovely.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27So as well as the space restrictions, what other problems did you have when developing it?
0:12:27 > 0:12:29The main problem we had on this site
0:12:29 > 0:12:34was planning policy to retain the facade of number 2...
0:12:34 > 0:12:36- Right.- ..which had heritage tuckpointing.
0:12:36 > 0:12:41We could only bring material in via the facade of number 3,
0:12:41 > 0:12:43which we were allowed to take down and rebuild.
0:12:43 > 0:12:49Everything went apart from the front wall, so we had a retention scaffold build inside of the front facade.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53- So it's almost a demolition and rebuild, really.- Absolutely.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55Yeah, absolutely. Yeah.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57It's been a challenge but it's been rewarding.
0:12:57 > 0:12:58Yeah, of course.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01Knowing that they're coming back into use is fantastic.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08- They got their own little roof terrace.- They have, yeah. It's a really nice space.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12Location wise, it's absolutely fantastic. We're in the heart of Soho,
0:13:12 > 0:13:17in the heart of London, you've got a roof terrace... It doesn't get much better, really, does it?
0:13:17 > 0:13:23And a week later, potential tenants arrive to view the place as their possible new home.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25This is the master bedroom.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28You got nice cupboard space here.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30'It was amazing.'
0:13:30 > 0:13:33Yeah, it's got space, and things, to move around.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37It was really light and pretty and modern. Big windows...
0:13:37 > 0:13:40I think anybody would love to live in a flat like that.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44It's a very satisfying part of my job,
0:13:44 > 0:13:49cos really I can look back and say that if we hadn't taken the action that we did as a city council,
0:13:49 > 0:13:52those properties would still be sitting there empty,
0:13:52 > 0:13:54they'd still be in very poor condition,
0:13:54 > 0:13:58they'd be doing nothing for the neighbourhood, they'd be a blight and a nuisance
0:13:58 > 0:14:02and there'd be all sorts of anti-social behaviour taking place in and around that area.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07That's not the case. They're soon to be occupied and they're in beautiful condition.
0:14:07 > 0:14:12I'm really pleased it's the action that we took as a city council that made this result possible.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19If you'd like to see an empty property near you brought back into use,
0:14:19 > 0:14:22contact your local council and get them on the case.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31Lynda Grey and her daughter Becky are looking for a home to buy and do up in Yorkshire.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35They want three to four bedrooms, open plan living
0:14:35 > 0:14:37and a garden for Rocky the dog,
0:14:37 > 0:14:40and have £450,000 to spend.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47The first place I showed Lynda was in the spa town of Harrogate.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51It ticks all her boxes and, with the proposed changes, came in on-budget.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54I like the property, I must say. I like the feel of it.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58The second property is an all-together different prospect.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01In Lynda's other desired location of Knaresborough,
0:15:01 > 0:15:03with its beautiful gorge and rich history,
0:15:03 > 0:15:06this market town has a lot on offer.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11OK, Lynda, property number two.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15- This really is a project.- Yeah.- What do you think?- It looks quite small.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19- Well, it does come with planning to extend it.- Right.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23Which is no bad thing, which would make it big enough for what you're after.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26- Right, good.- Um... But of course, price is everything.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30Currently on the market for £350,000.
0:15:30 > 0:15:31Oh, my God, that sounds a lot.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33I think it's a bit keen, myself,
0:15:33 > 0:15:37- I'd look to see that a little bit lower.- Negotiate a bit.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40I suppose it depends how much of a project you're really up for.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44I'm up for a project. I don't mind something like this
0:15:44 > 0:15:50because we're renting at the moment, so I can stay away while the builders do the work.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52Well, let's see if you want to stay in this one.
0:15:52 > 0:15:59Currently a two-bed, but surrounded by enough land to fit Lynda's requirements,
0:15:59 > 0:16:03this house has lain empty for over a year after a sale fell through.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07I think it's exactly the kind of place that Lynda could really get stuck into.
0:16:07 > 0:16:13Come through here. I suppose this is what would have been the key reception area, really.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16As you can see, it does need an awful lot doing to it.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20- What do you think?- You could make this quite cottage-y, this room. - Yeah.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22Are you daunted by it?
0:16:22 > 0:16:29- No. No, it takes a lot to daunt me. - Good. Good. Well, keep that spirit up, we'll need it.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33As you can see, Lynda, the kitchen as was.
0:16:33 > 0:16:38I mean, needs a bit of work, is the obvious thing to say.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41Various cupboards and what have you have been knocked away.
0:16:41 > 0:16:49I think you get the idea that what we're up against is a complete redesign.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51Yeah, refurbishment.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54So you get all of this space and you can knock that down.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57- Big kitchen.- Massive. This would come right out,
0:16:57 > 0:17:02so you'd have a big L-shape. So, this goes, and then this becomes your diner.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04So that wall's gone,
0:17:04 > 0:17:09that wall stays, you could go for French doors in there, potentially, out to the garden.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13The other clever thing, though, is that this can go,
0:17:13 > 0:17:17giving you a full-length extension, two storey...
0:17:17 > 0:17:20- Has that got planning permission? - That's got planning too.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24Importantly, it gives you a lot more room upstairs as well.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27A double-height extension will mean the existing two bedrooms
0:17:27 > 0:17:30will be joined by a third, to suit Lynda's requirements.
0:17:30 > 0:17:37Let's go out to the garden. I think then the space we're talking about using up will be more obvious.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39And we can see where Rocky might want to play.
0:17:42 > 0:17:47- The garden is not bad, actually. - It's not a bad-size garden. - What you see is what you get.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50I think it'd be quite nice with the extension.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53It would certainly make it work. That's what this property needs.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58No matter how big or small your renovation plans,
0:17:58 > 0:18:02if they involve structural work, it's advisable to get a building expert in.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06So we arranged for a local architect to estimate for expanding the kitchen,
0:18:06 > 0:18:10building a two-storey extension and for internal refurbishment.
0:18:11 > 0:18:16For all the structural work, and there is quite a bit to do here, about £100,000.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20- Right.- That's not decorated, that's just it up.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22So you'd have to put the finishing touches on.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25OK. Does that include the bathrooms?
0:18:25 > 0:18:27Yep, that's all in. Yeah.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29It's certainly something to think about!
0:18:29 > 0:18:33'I'm pleased she can see the advantages of taking on a vacant building.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37'But will either of the ones I've shown her become Lynda and Becky's new home?
0:18:37 > 0:18:39'We'll find out later.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44'Back in London, Empty Property Officer Paul Palmer
0:18:44 > 0:18:47'is on his beat in the city of Westminster.'
0:18:47 > 0:18:49I'm off now to one of my largest cases in Mayfair
0:18:49 > 0:18:52There are two buildings worth about £50 million.
0:18:52 > 0:18:57Ex-embassies, absolutely beautiful but I've recently discovered there's been squatters.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00I've made contact with them, this is my chance to get inside
0:19:00 > 0:19:02and see what state they're in.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05One of the buildings used to house the Mexican Embassy
0:19:05 > 0:19:08while its neighbour was home to Tanzanian High Commission.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12But both have been lying empty for five years.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15They've been taken over by a group of artistic squatters
0:19:15 > 0:19:18who are using the place live in and exhibit their work.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22- Hello there, Paul Palmer, City of Westminster.- Hello, nice to meet you.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24- Come inside. - Thank you very much indeed.
0:19:24 > 0:19:30As classic Georgian townhouses go, the buildings have a wealth of original features in every room,
0:19:30 > 0:19:34such as fireplaces, parquet flooring and detailed cornicing.
0:19:35 > 0:19:40The owners are taking steps to evict the squatters
0:19:40 > 0:19:42but Paul wants to inspect the buildings
0:19:42 > 0:19:45so he can see how much work the owners will need to carry out
0:19:45 > 0:19:48to get them back into use once the squatters have gone.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51So, what sort of stuff have you done maintenance-wise?
0:19:51 > 0:19:54We've cleaned off all the grime covering the surfaces,
0:19:54 > 0:19:57we've cleaned all the windows, we water-blasted the facade.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01Yeah, we've taken good care of the place.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07There's a bit of a myth that squatters take over people's houses
0:20:07 > 0:20:09and, you know, dispossess families on to the street.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11You can't get away with that legally.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15And the only places that we've ever occupied have been long-term empty places.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20The building next door is also in the same ownership
0:20:20 > 0:20:24and after five years of vacancy, it too needs Paul's appraisal.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29The front foyer of the former Tanzanian High Commission.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32- Let me show you around. - Please, yeah.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35And this building appears to be in a bad state.
0:20:35 > 0:20:41- Pity really, such prime real estate. - Yeah, I love the way they've just screwed straight in to the woodwork.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46Oh, yes, this is plush red carpet. We like a bit of plush red carpet.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51It hints at its former illustrious past, this sort of building.
0:20:51 > 0:20:56But it looks as if the previous occupants left in a bit of a hurry, really.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00They've left quite a bit of junk behind.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05It seems here as if it's just been abandoned, really.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07It's a bit of a shame.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12It's inevitable that the squatters won't be in there for much longer
0:21:12 > 0:21:16as the owners have already started action to get possession of the property.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18I'm going to start writing to the owners saying,
0:21:18 > 0:21:23"Look, you've had this problem with squatters. This is what happens when you leave a property empty.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27"The best way to secure it is to bring it back in to use and have it occupied.
0:21:27 > 0:21:32"So, all I want to is - what are your plans for comprehensively refurbishing the building
0:21:32 > 0:21:34"and bringing it back in to occupation?"
0:21:34 > 0:21:37Then, of course, we'll enter in to a dialogue.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41And that's the beginning of the process that will lead to a compulsory purchase order
0:21:41 > 0:21:45if we don't see evidence that the owners are taking the issue seriously.
0:21:45 > 0:21:50Eventually the squatters were evicted and now Paul can start work with the owners
0:21:50 > 0:21:52to get the building back in to use.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58Even though you may end up with a unique property,
0:21:58 > 0:22:02finding an empty place often starts in the standard way -
0:22:02 > 0:22:03at the estate agent's.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08Which is just how Michael and Maria Roscoe found their first home.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13We'd asked them to keep us informed about any new properties that came on to the market.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17So, being a first-time buyer, we could move very quickly
0:22:17 > 0:22:20and as soon as we saw the property, we snapped it up.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24It was really exciting, getting the keys
0:22:24 > 0:22:25when we first moved in.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28It had been empty for about 6 months.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32It was a ropey, student house so the condition wasn't good.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34It was a real state, basically.
0:22:34 > 0:22:35We could see the potential.
0:22:36 > 0:22:41It looks like, you know, it'd be a quick job but then when you start to rip the floorboards out,
0:22:41 > 0:22:44there will be a beam that needs replacing or, you know,
0:22:44 > 0:22:48you take the tiles down and the plaster will come with it.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52So there's always a lot more to do than you first think.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56For me, the living room is my favourite room
0:22:56 > 0:22:57because it's quite light.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59I like the simplicity of it.
0:22:59 > 0:23:04I like things being uncluttered as well so it's a very uncluttered house.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07I also really like the kitchen.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10I like to cook so it's a room that really work well for me.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16One of the bedrooms upstairs we use as a quiet reading room.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20So that's a good place to escape to and I like that area as well.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25We bought it 10 years ago before the housing market went a bit silly.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28So it was £90,000 when we bought it.
0:23:29 > 0:23:34Since, over the next 10 years, we've probably spent around £35,000 on it.
0:23:34 > 0:23:41And what I think it would be worth - just under £250,000 now.
0:23:42 > 0:23:49Buying an empty property, you do get the chance to really do exactly what you want to do with it.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52It's not just about the fact that it's a lot cheaper
0:23:52 > 0:23:55but you can put your own mark on it.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59It's been a much better long-term option for us.
0:23:59 > 0:24:04Buying a house straight away that needed doing up. There's no way we could have afforded it straight off.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09I have loved every minute of doing this house up.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11It's been fantastic.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20If you'd like to turn an abandoned house in to your next home,
0:24:20 > 0:24:22here is how to go about it.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26Cast your net wide, search the catalogues of online auction sites
0:24:26 > 0:24:28as vacant homes often go under the hammer.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31Tell estate agents you want to buy an empty place
0:24:31 > 0:24:33and to alert you as soon as one hits the books.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36And scour your neighbourhood.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39If you spot a house and the owner is known to the council,
0:24:39 > 0:24:42they may well approach them on your behalf to see if they want to sell.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53Today's home hunter, Lynda Grey, is looking for a home to rescue
0:24:53 > 0:24:56that she and her daughter, Becky, can make their own.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59I've shown her two places, one that need very little work
0:24:59 > 0:25:01and one that needs quite a lot more.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05And both for under her maximum budget of £450,000.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09The question is, have either of them grabbed Lynda?
0:25:09 > 0:25:11Well, Lynda, how have you found it?
0:25:11 > 0:25:13Has it been revealing in some way?
0:25:13 > 0:25:17Uh, yeah, it's made me consider another area.
0:25:17 > 0:25:22And maybe a different style house to what I was originally envisaging.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24Let's have a think about where we did start
0:25:24 > 0:25:27which was that bungalow just outside Harrogate.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30- What did you think of that one? - I really like the feel of that one.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33It was roomy, you know, the spacious rooms there.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36It probably isn't where I would have chosen to look at a house
0:25:36 > 0:25:38but now I've been and looked,
0:25:38 > 0:25:40I quite like that area.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42I am going to take Becky back to look at that one.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46- Ah! Interesting!- I'll take her back to look at both of them but...- Yeah.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49But then we took you to something which wasn't an easy project at all.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52Required an awful lot of vision, to be fair.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54But you didn't seem daunted.
0:25:54 > 0:25:55No, not all.
0:25:55 > 0:26:00For the right price, you know, you get your builders in and they'll do the job for you so...
0:26:00 > 0:26:03And location-wise that one was perfect.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06Interesting. Cos I thought you'd struggle more with the last property
0:26:06 > 0:26:09But it seems to be as viable as the first one.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13Yeah, well, it's an either/or, isn't it? They are possibilities.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17I'd love to be a fly on the wall when Becky goes round, to see what she says to you.
0:26:17 > 0:26:21- But I think two very interesting options, two very different options. - Yeah.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24Hopefully it's inspired you in terms of taking on an empty property.
0:26:24 > 0:26:29Inspired me to open up my ideas a little bit more, I think.
0:26:29 > 0:26:34You know, I've been looking at very suburban, standard properties, I would say.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38Whereas I think these are just a bit different to my norm.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41- Brilliant. Well, very best of luck. - Thank you.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47Unearthing these hidden gems can take time.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51But do enough digging and when eventually you do strike lucky,
0:26:51 > 0:26:54you could well find that it's exactly what you're looking for.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:27:13 > 0:27:16E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk