0:00:02 > 0:00:04There are nearly a million homes lying lost and abandoned in the UK
0:00:04 > 0:00:07just waiting for someone to come along and give them a bright new future.
0:00:07 > 0:00:12Whether it's a tired semi or a rambling mansion,
0:00:12 > 0:00:15we are on a mission to rescue Britain's empty homes.
0:00:25 > 0:00:27Buying a neglected property
0:00:27 > 0:00:29can be a great way of getting more house for your money,
0:00:29 > 0:00:32and with a bit of creativity and dedication,
0:00:32 > 0:00:34you can end up with a unique family home.
0:00:34 > 0:00:38Today, I'm using my experience to help a couple weigh up
0:00:38 > 0:00:42how much of a project they really want to take on.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46If I was designing this house, I would have this downstairs.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48To help them decide,
0:00:48 > 0:00:50I'll be introducing them to intrepid renovators
0:00:50 > 0:00:54who have transformed empty dwellings into treasured homes.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58I have a connection to it now, there's my blood and sweat in it.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01We'll be joining one of the nation's empty property officers
0:01:01 > 0:01:04in their quest to get vacant places lived in again.
0:01:04 > 0:01:10We may have a problem here with rats as well...
0:01:10 > 0:01:12For the adventurous house hunter,
0:01:12 > 0:01:15empty properties can present fantastic opportunities
0:01:15 > 0:01:17because you can often get them for a knockdown price,
0:01:17 > 0:01:20but breathing new life into a vacant building
0:01:20 > 0:01:23can require nerves of steel and plenty of imagination.
0:01:23 > 0:01:29Alan and Ruksaana Schutt currently live in part of a large country house
0:01:29 > 0:01:31with their young family in South Devon.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34But the arrival of baby Lily has spurred them on in their dream
0:01:34 > 0:01:39to find an empty detached house to transform into an ideal family home.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42We decided to do a renovation project after we had Lily ten months ago.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46Um, I needed a job.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48So I can't go out and get a job any more,
0:01:48 > 0:01:49so I will stay at home and have one
0:01:49 > 0:01:53and be project manager on a renovation project.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55And I'm paying for it!
0:01:55 > 0:02:00So with a budget of £450,000 of Alan's money to spend, they're looking for somewhere rural.
0:02:00 > 0:02:06You could probably convert it into a four-bedroomed house easily.
0:02:06 > 0:02:07Despite having no experience,
0:02:07 > 0:02:12Alan and Ruksaana are contemplating a major build.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14I think it would be exciting to take on a project
0:02:14 > 0:02:16that needs a lot of work doing to it.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19We are both very keen to take on something
0:02:19 > 0:02:22where we would be moving out of our comfort zone,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25if you like, into something that's a lot more challenging.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28Leaving their comfort zone is all very well,
0:02:28 > 0:02:31but having done little more than DIY before,
0:02:31 > 0:02:35I want to offer them some guidance through the renovation maze.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37What are we trying to achieve with this move?
0:02:37 > 0:02:39You've got a nice home at the moment.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41But you're saying it's not big enough.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44It is big enough, but the layout is the main thing,
0:02:44 > 0:02:47and the fact that it's part of an old mansion
0:02:47 > 0:02:49and we don't have our own land.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51How creative are you both
0:02:51 > 0:02:54in terms of trying to see the potential in something?
0:02:54 > 0:02:58I think we've come to the conclusion that I am probably more imaginative
0:02:58 > 0:03:00and she's going to be the project manager.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03He has more vision than I have.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05Are you the voice of reason, the realist in all this?
0:03:05 > 0:03:07The bossy pants.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09THEY LAUGH
0:03:09 > 0:03:11Scale of projects is important,
0:03:11 > 0:03:14and they go from the extreme, which is a complete rebuild -
0:03:14 > 0:03:17roof off, floors out, everything done -
0:03:17 > 0:03:21to a more cosmetic number, where do you fit?
0:03:21 > 0:03:26I think we'd consider something that just needed cosmetic work doing to it
0:03:26 > 0:03:28as long as it felt right, you know,
0:03:28 > 0:03:30it had the space that we were looking for.
0:03:30 > 0:03:35Ideally, we'd maybe put ourselves somewhere in the middle,
0:03:35 > 0:03:38but we need to be channelled and advised, I think,
0:03:38 > 0:03:40before we put our foot in the water.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42I get the sense that underlying this
0:03:42 > 0:03:45is a need for a growing sense of confidence about what's possible,
0:03:45 > 0:03:51and we can show you projects which have tackled all manner of challenges in their renovations.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55That will give you the inspiration and level of imagination
0:03:55 > 0:03:58that's needed to often turn these things around
0:03:58 > 0:04:01and demonstrate that it's all possible,
0:04:01 > 0:04:05it's just a case of what you're up for and how much you want to spend.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09Bringing a house back from the brink can be immensely rewarding,
0:04:09 > 0:04:12but requires great dedication and imagination.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14So, I want to set them something of a test.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18I want to see how flexible Alan and Ruksaana are prepared to be in their search.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20So, without me to guide them,
0:04:20 > 0:04:22I'm sending them to have look at a typical example
0:04:22 > 0:04:25of the kind of empty property they could buy,
0:04:25 > 0:04:28to see if they can spot how they might turn it into their dream home.
0:04:29 > 0:04:34Slap bang in the middle of the South Devon countryside,
0:04:34 > 0:04:38this barn conversion is on the market for just under £350,000.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40Empty for nine months,
0:04:40 > 0:04:43it's been dressed ready for sale due to the owner's relocation.
0:04:43 > 0:04:49- It's quite nice.- Very good condition. - I like it from the outside, so far.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53Alan and Ruksaana are unsure of how big a project they're prepared to take on
0:04:53 > 0:04:57and I think this barn could be an interesting test of their mettle.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01It's a real curiosity,
0:05:01 > 0:05:04an upside down house with the living area on the top floor
0:05:04 > 0:05:06and bedrooms and bathroom downstairs.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10A light cosmetic makeover would make it livable.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14But they could also reconfigure it to a more conventional layout.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18What I want to know though is how ambitious their ideas will be.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22In we go. Right, it's...
0:05:22 > 0:05:25- Single bedroom. - It's quite small, isn't it?
0:05:25 > 0:05:28Still, it's a good enough size for a child's room.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35- This is a bigger room.- It is, yeah, the bedrooms are on the ground floor.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37Reverse-level house.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40I struggle with reverse level.
0:05:40 > 0:05:46- I mean, I agree with you, I prefer a conventional layout house.- Yeah.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49So now for the upstairs.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52Will they see any potential for turning this place
0:05:52 > 0:05:54into that more conventional house?
0:05:54 > 0:05:57- Ah, this is quite nice.- Kitchen.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59- Airy.- Yes.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02Like the windows, love the lighting.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05Ah, room above the garage maybe.
0:06:05 > 0:06:10So, kitchen leading into... fourth bedroom.
0:06:10 > 0:06:11Oh, right.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13- It's odd.- Yeah.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16I don't know if I like it being on its own.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18I don't really like it on its own either.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21There's something about it, the feeling's not right.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23They're not keen on the layout,
0:06:23 > 0:06:27but could changing it be the challenge they're looking for?
0:06:27 > 0:06:28Sitting room.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31Good size, isn't it?
0:06:31 > 0:06:33I think it's got a lovely feel to it.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36But I don't think this has got enough work for to us do here,
0:06:36 > 0:06:41it's really cosmetic and new carpets and maybe a new bathroom.
0:06:41 > 0:06:42Yeah.
0:06:42 > 0:06:47That special project that we wanted, I don't honestly think it's here.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50Yeah, I agree.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54You probably could extend it, I am sure it's not listed.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58But then you have a battle with the fact that the layout is odd.
0:06:58 > 0:07:05If I was designing this house, I would have this downstairs.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09I met up with Alan and Ruksaana later to discuss their findings.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13The property that we have got you to have a look at,
0:07:13 > 0:07:15your final thoughts on that one?
0:07:15 > 0:07:19I think it was pretty complete as is,
0:07:19 > 0:07:22and I thought that it wasn't something
0:07:22 > 0:07:24we could really get our teeth into.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26It was generally cosmetic.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28What did you make of the layout?
0:07:28 > 0:07:30- It was an upside down house.- Yeah.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33There was a bedroom next to the kitchen,
0:07:33 > 0:07:36the kitchen and living room were on the top floor
0:07:36 > 0:07:40and everything was all, the other bedrooms were downstairs.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43That's something that we're wanting to steer away from.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46In terms of that particular property, we had a guy look at it
0:07:46 > 0:07:48with a view to swapping it around,
0:07:48 > 0:07:52his quote for turning it into a more conventional layout was around about £30,000.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56- It's interesting to know you could convert it back.- Yeah.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00So if you wanted to make it a bigger project, you could,
0:08:00 > 0:08:03if it perhaps ticked more boxes than it did.
0:08:03 > 0:08:04But it could be done.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08I think the best thing now is to get you to look at a couple of projects
0:08:08 > 0:08:11which are partway through their build, one is also finished,
0:08:11 > 0:08:14to give you, hopefully, a few ideas
0:08:14 > 0:08:19and fire your imagination to go on and find the right property for you.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23'And that first spark of enthusiasm is all it takes
0:08:23 > 0:08:26'to set off on what can be a long journey of ups and downs
0:08:26 > 0:08:29'on the hunt for somewhere to turn into the perfect home.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32'Which is just what Charlotte discovered
0:08:32 > 0:08:36'on her quest to find the ideal place to transform into her family's home.'
0:08:38 > 0:08:42We had been looking at properties in the area for literally years on end.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45It was very difficult to find anything
0:08:45 > 0:08:49that had been done up, you know, to a good standard.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52But when Charlotte laid eyes on this five-bedroom terrace
0:08:52 > 0:08:54in Parsons Green, West London back in 2005,
0:08:54 > 0:08:56she knew she was on to something.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59But although the place looked very good,
0:08:59 > 0:09:03it wasn't long before Charlotte discovered things weren't as they seemed.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06The general structural work had been done
0:09:06 > 0:09:11and it had great space and a great layout and it fitted us as a family,
0:09:11 > 0:09:14but then we looked a lot closer once we'd moved in
0:09:14 > 0:09:17and it was just, everything was falling apart.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20It had been done, you know, the workmanship was so bad.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24I mean, the roof blew off, the basement flooded,
0:09:24 > 0:09:26it was just one disaster after the next.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30And we slowly went about redoing it from top to bottom.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32It's in a pricey part of town,
0:09:32 > 0:09:37and having already spent £1.6 million buying the house,
0:09:37 > 0:09:42Charlotte wanted to ensure the transformation was to a very high-end finish.
0:09:42 > 0:09:47We basically redecorated, changed floor coverings, redid the kitchen.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51We redid every single bathroom so all the tiling, all the fittings.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55Did the garden, we redid the entrance, it's just endless.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58The cost of the entire refurbishment came to £250,000,
0:09:58 > 0:10:04which has paid off, as the house has been valued at £2.85 million.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08I mean, obviously, when you go through things like this,
0:10:08 > 0:10:12you learn the mistakes and you learn what works and what doesn't.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14But to have it finished
0:10:14 > 0:10:19and have it done to your liking is absolutely amazing.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21Everything is what you have chosen.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24Everything is like a quality that you want to live with.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30Across the country, there are teams of empty property officers
0:10:30 > 0:10:34who are tasked with the job of tracking down the owners of abandoned buildings
0:10:34 > 0:10:37and, with any luck, persuading them to bring them back into use again.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41And in Cardiff, that officer is Steve Reed.
0:10:41 > 0:10:45With an estimated 6,500 families on the council's waiting list,
0:10:45 > 0:10:49Steve is on a quest to turn his caseload of 1,200 vacant properties
0:10:49 > 0:10:53back into possible homes for some of them.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57Once you see a property that's been done up and renovated,
0:10:57 > 0:11:00a family living in there, it's a really good feeling.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04Today, Steve is following up a complaint about a vacant terraced house.
0:11:04 > 0:11:09A broken window is letting in rain water, which is seeping through the party wall
0:11:09 > 0:11:12and causing the neighbours serious damp problems.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15We tried tracing the owner, but had no luck at all.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19All we have is the owner's name at the empty property.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23Today, we are going to go and serve a notice on the property,
0:11:23 > 0:11:26attach it to the front door, which gives the owner 24 hours
0:11:26 > 0:11:32to secure the property and get rid of the damp problem, hopefully.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34Before he serves the notice,
0:11:34 > 0:11:37Steve checks the current state of the house.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41It's one of the main problems, the fact that the back window is completely open,
0:11:41 > 0:11:43so anybody could get in there.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45That window is broken.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48You can see all the plaster on this side has blown,
0:11:48 > 0:11:51and the problem with next door is exactly opposite that.
0:11:51 > 0:11:58It's soaking. We need to get this secured and stop the damp problem.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00If the owner doesn't respond to the notice
0:12:00 > 0:12:02and secure the house within 24 hours,
0:12:02 > 0:12:07Steve will arrange for the council to secure it and bill the owner.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09Steve goes next door to inspect the damp
0:12:09 > 0:12:12and let the landlord know what the council will be doing.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15This is the wall. It was so wet, I've had to cover the wall,
0:12:15 > 0:12:18and I had to put vapour check plasterboard on.
0:12:18 > 0:12:19Yeah.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22The skirting boards have come off because they're damp.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24You can see it there.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27Tomorrow, hopefully, this will be sorted.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30We served a notice which I am going to attach to the front door,
0:12:30 > 0:12:32giving the owner 24 hours to sort out the back.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36If not, I'll get people over and they'll board up the three windows,
0:12:36 > 0:12:40and hopefully, it will stop the water, stop any more coming in,
0:12:40 > 0:12:43and it will need to dry out over time really.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46It won't stop until someone's living in there
0:12:46 > 0:12:49- and the house has been tidied up. - Thank you.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52With no alternative address for the owner, the notice is
0:12:52 > 0:12:54attached to the front door,
0:12:54 > 0:12:58demanding that he or she carries out the work within 24 hours.
0:12:58 > 0:13:03But the next morning, Steve has a major breakthrough.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06The council tax office have discovered a relative can be contacted
0:13:06 > 0:13:09on behalf of the owner, who is abroad.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11She's quite concerned, actually,
0:13:11 > 0:13:14and she's agreed to get the property boarded up herself
0:13:14 > 0:13:16by the end of the week.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18So I've cancelled the council going in.
0:13:18 > 0:13:19Once the property is boarded,
0:13:19 > 0:13:22we need to find out what they intend doing with the property.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26With the sister-in-law's concerns about the property,
0:13:26 > 0:13:29maybe she can put pressure on the owner as well
0:13:29 > 0:13:34and hopefully, together, we can get something positive done with it.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41If you are desperate to get your hands on a neglected property,
0:13:41 > 0:13:43or indeed a nice derelict barn like this one,
0:13:43 > 0:13:46it's worth making friends with your estate agent.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50They're much more likely to tip you off first when something new comes on the market,
0:13:50 > 0:13:53particularly if you're in a position to move straightaway.
0:13:53 > 0:13:58If you have another property to sell, it's worth trying to move that on before you start your search.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02Alan and Ruksaana Schutt are on the hunt in South Devon
0:14:02 > 0:14:05for an empty rural property to transform into their family home.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09And as they're weighing up how big a project they really want to take on,
0:14:09 > 0:14:14I want to give them an idea as to how tough a major build can be.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18They've considered the redesign of an upside down barn conversion.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21It's got a lovely feel to it,
0:14:21 > 0:14:23but I don't think this has enough work here.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27And now I want to give them inspiration from a home owner
0:14:27 > 0:14:30who is nearing the completion of her dream home.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32This is what we've got for you here.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34A mixture of barns and farmhouse
0:14:34 > 0:14:37that has been recently converted and renovated
0:14:37 > 0:14:40which I think will give you, I hope,
0:14:40 > 0:14:43some really interesting ideas as to what you may want to do.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46This 15th-century farmhouse and barn
0:14:46 > 0:14:50instantly captured the heart of Gail Cook back in 2005.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53When I first saw it, I fell in love with it.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57There was nothing about it that my heart didn't like.
0:14:57 > 0:15:02My head thought sometimes that it was going to need an awful lot,
0:15:02 > 0:15:04but I followed the heart.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06Lying empty and unwanted for a year,
0:15:06 > 0:15:10Gail immediately saw in the house potential others had missed
0:15:10 > 0:15:12and snapped it up for £500,000.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14She then enlisted an architect and spent £250,000
0:15:14 > 0:15:19transforming this ancient building into her modern dream home.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23The whole of the back of the house had to be demolished.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25All the floors taken up,
0:15:25 > 0:15:28the ceilings came down, the roof came off.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30But making it her own has been a long haul.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32And, five years later,
0:15:32 > 0:15:36the renovations are still ongoing for Gail and her architect, Emma.
0:15:36 > 0:15:41It is now, I'd say, pretty much my dream home
0:15:41 > 0:15:46and I hope that I can spend possibly the rest of my life here.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48I've got such a connection to it now.
0:15:48 > 0:15:55I feel like there's my blood and sweat in this! And it's mine.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00Now, then. What do you reckon?
0:16:00 > 0:16:02Fabulous!
0:16:02 > 0:16:04That's one word, really!
0:16:04 > 0:16:08I think the kitchen, it's my favourite room in the house.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11I wanted it to be somewhere that I could spend a lot of time.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13- It's obviously listed.- It is.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17Which must have brought some additional complications.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20Yes, doing anything to a listed building,
0:16:20 > 0:16:22you have to get listed building consent.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25You might not necessarily need planning permission,
0:16:25 > 0:16:28but whatever you want to do externally or internally
0:16:28 > 0:16:32which affects the character of a listed building, you have to get approval for.
0:16:32 > 0:16:33It's quite a big project.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36We're talking about you managing your project.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39How does this one stack up against the sort of thing you want to take on?
0:16:39 > 0:16:43It would keep me busy, wouldn't it?
0:16:43 > 0:16:47And Gail was not only kept busy in project managing the build,
0:16:47 > 0:16:52she also endured living in rubble for a year as the house took shape.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55I had no running water into the house at all for 14 months.
0:16:55 > 0:17:00Except for a hosepipe to a sink on the floor.
0:17:00 > 0:17:05That was the only washing, drinking, everything that was in the house.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09And there was a single toilet for all the workmen and myself,
0:17:09 > 0:17:12which was just in the bedroom,
0:17:12 > 0:17:14in the middle of the floor.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16I hope this isn't putting you off!
0:17:16 > 0:17:21Gail's still smiling. She has obviously come through and is living it now.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24In addition to the renovation of the farmhouse,
0:17:24 > 0:17:26there is a sympathetic extension
0:17:26 > 0:17:30created with traditional materials and construction techniques.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34- Lovely.- Isn't this great?- Fantastic.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36Is this the last part of the project?
0:17:36 > 0:17:39And the garden, obviously, the landscaping.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41I'm really excited about this one.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44Presumably, you would need someone who knows what they're doing
0:17:44 > 0:17:47with the woodwork to put something up like this?
0:17:47 > 0:17:51It's made in the traditional way that oak frame has always been made
0:17:51 > 0:17:53and this is actually a hand-made frame.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55- I love it.- Fantastic.
0:17:55 > 0:18:00One of the reasons the build has taken so long is because of some sitting tenants.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03A protected colony of bats needed to be accommodated
0:18:03 > 0:18:05within the rebuilding of the roof.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07- You still have the bats living here?- Yes.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09Just not inside?
0:18:09 > 0:18:11Yes, they are.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14There is an en-suite bathroom at the end, there.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16They've got their own bathroom?!
0:18:16 > 0:18:18Lucky old bats, yeah.
0:18:18 > 0:18:19The space above the bathroom
0:18:19 > 0:18:24is a bat space, we've got bat slates on.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27That was the first part of the house that was finished.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30- The bats had to be accommodated first?- Absolutely.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34Gail and Emma have been through all the hard work on this property.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36I'm going to let you carry on exploring
0:18:36 > 0:18:40- and I'll catch up with you later. - Great.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44There's no two ways about it, this is a fantastic renovation.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47One that I really think has inspired Alan and Ruksaana.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50I'm also moved by the love that Gail has for this building,
0:18:50 > 0:18:53the imagination that her architect has brought to it.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55Thanks to their passion and commitment,
0:18:55 > 0:18:59it's one more gorgeous old building brought back to life.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02Later, I'll be taking them to see a finished project
0:19:02 > 0:19:05which will show them just how much you can transform somewhere
0:19:05 > 0:19:07you might at first glance disregard.
0:19:07 > 0:19:08But first, back in Cardiff,
0:19:08 > 0:19:12empty property officer Steve Reid is on his way to an abandoned house
0:19:12 > 0:19:16that is in a terrible state and the focus of anti-social activity.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19As the owner has given up all responsibility
0:19:19 > 0:19:22and with mortgage debts mounting on the house,
0:19:22 > 0:19:27the council have had no choice but to issue a compulsory purchase order.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30The area the property is in is quite a nice area,
0:19:30 > 0:19:32but the property itself looks terrible.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35It's stuck in the middle of all this.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39We really need to get something done with it if we can.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43Today, a decision has to be made on whether to sell it at auction as it is,
0:19:43 > 0:19:47or to spend money on repairs that may improve its value and chances of sale.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49Repairing it would involve spending public money,
0:19:49 > 0:19:53so they need to be confident that they'd recover these costs.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56Steve is meeting with senior housing surveyor Clive
0:19:56 > 0:19:58to assess the state of the building.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01He has done several of these notices before,
0:20:01 > 0:20:03so he knows what to look for.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07Roughly how much work needs doing, what we can and can't do,
0:20:07 > 0:20:10to get a rough idea of how much it's going to cost.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12- Hi, Steve.- All right?
0:20:12 > 0:20:16- What do you think?- It's a lot worse that it was the last time.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20We may have a problem here with rats as well...
0:20:20 > 0:20:22If we go round and have a look
0:20:22 > 0:20:26and see exactly what would need doing on it.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28We'll have a look at clearing this.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32You have the windows at the front and the doors are boarded over.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34The old tiles on the roof.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38The boundary walls which have been, sort of, vandalised.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42The major work is round the back, with the conservatory and the overgrowth.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46So there is access to the rear, here.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48And obviously, people are getting in to the rear.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52So it's completely overgrown here. There is a walkway through.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54Kids and people can get through.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57You can see they have smashed the patio doors at the back,
0:20:57 > 0:21:00so they can actually get in through here.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04The problem we have got is to do this work
0:21:04 > 0:21:06and with the appearance of the property,
0:21:06 > 0:21:09the actual costs will be absolutely huge.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11I don't think we'd recover them.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13Because there's no money left in the property
0:21:13 > 0:21:15once the mortgage is paid.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18- So just carry on with the CPO? - Yeah, I think so.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22The verdict is to sell the house at auction in its current state.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25As the place is heavily in debt to the mortgage company,
0:21:25 > 0:21:27all money from the sale will be swallowed up by them
0:21:27 > 0:21:31and the council would not recoup any money spent on repairs.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34Once at auction, Steve hopes the house will sell to a developer
0:21:34 > 0:21:36who can turn it around quickly.
0:21:38 > 0:21:43There is a huge potential for a new family moving into this property.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47The area is really nice, the property is fairly large.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50There are fields behind it, schools are nearby.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52Hopefully, once the CPO is done,
0:21:52 > 0:21:56it will become a nice family home for whoever buys it.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02Ruksaana and Alan want to take on an empty country house
0:22:02 > 0:22:06to transform into their family home somewhere in South Devon.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10They have seen two very different barn conversions.
0:22:10 > 0:22:11- What do you reckon?- Fabulous.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15And as they are contemplating taking on a big project,
0:22:15 > 0:22:18I want them to see what vision and determination can achieve.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20- Wow!- Amazing.- That's striking.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23It is actually brand new,
0:22:23 > 0:22:28which might not come as a surprise until I show you this.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30This is the old, original agent spec,
0:22:30 > 0:22:35but they knocked it down and started again.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39- They knocked it down?- Yeah. - It's exactly the same shape.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43It is exactly the same shape, but they knocked it down and started again.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45Set in 12 acres of woodland,
0:22:45 > 0:22:48this quintessential 1960s house
0:22:48 > 0:22:53was just what Tony and his partner, Gordon, were looking for.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56I loved this place, well, we both loved the place,
0:22:56 > 0:22:59from the minute that we drove up the drive and saw it.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03It was very tired, very unloved, very neglected.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06But we could see it had huge potential.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09But the process of actually refurbishing or rebuilding it
0:23:09 > 0:23:13was probably a nightmare, if I'm going to be honest about it.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15They bought it for £600,000
0:23:15 > 0:23:19and initially thought they would simply refurbish the house.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22But they soon realised that it needed extensive work.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26So, with the help of an architect and another £600,000,
0:23:26 > 0:23:30they set about dismantling it to recreate a near-identical
0:23:30 > 0:23:32but more contemporary version in its place.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34By taking on an empty property,
0:23:34 > 0:23:38we've had the opportunity to design a house that's perfect for us.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41There would be no other way of doing that.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45We've been able to design it more or less as we want it.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48And it is certainly a dream home.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52Let me introduce you, Ruksaana and Alan. What do you think?
0:23:52 > 0:23:54- Striking, isn't it? - This is really clever.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58It takes a lot of courage to unbuild something and then rebuild it again.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02- We were brave.- Were you brave, or mad?- We were both mad and brave!
0:24:02 > 0:24:05Keeping to the original shape of the building,
0:24:05 > 0:24:09they redesigned the interior to maximise the use of space.
0:24:09 > 0:24:10This is nice, all very slick.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12A kitchen to die for.
0:24:12 > 0:24:17Originally, we planned to put the kitchen down where the dining area is
0:24:17 > 0:24:20and then when we'd knocked the house down and were looking at the space,
0:24:20 > 0:24:22we thought, no, it's just not right.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24And it actually works beautifully,
0:24:24 > 0:24:27because we think of it almost like a bridge of a ship,
0:24:27 > 0:24:31because you're standing there and can see right the way down,
0:24:31 > 0:24:33so it's absolutely amazing.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35I'm loving this, actually.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38I'm an old cottage kind of guy, but I'm loving this.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41This is very, very clever, very ingenious and very comfortable.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44Their ambitious rebuild has paid off
0:24:44 > 0:24:48and the house is now worth an estimated £1.35 million.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52When you deconstructed it, did you think about making it broader?
0:24:52 > 0:24:55No, it has been designed really brilliantly
0:24:55 > 0:24:59because we get the sun first thing in the morning over here,
0:24:59 > 0:25:02and right the way around the swimming pool.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05And in the evening, you get it at this side of the house.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09And if you start tinkering with it, it's going to affect that.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13Did you project manage this yourself, or did you leave that to your architect?
0:25:13 > 0:25:16I left that to the architect.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19But I think if I had my time again,
0:25:19 > 0:25:22I would have got a little bit more involved than I did,
0:25:22 > 0:25:23and I did kind of step back.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25Then towards the end, I got more involved,
0:25:25 > 0:25:28as we were doing the finishing off bits
0:25:28 > 0:25:31because I realised how important that is.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33It's been a great to look around, thank you very much.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35- My pleasure. - What would be your top tips?
0:25:35 > 0:25:38If it's practical, always live in the house.
0:25:38 > 0:25:39We lived here for a couple of years.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42When you live in the house, you change your view of what you're going to do with it,
0:25:42 > 0:25:47and we changed our mind probably five or six times.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49Secondly, choose your builders wisely.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53And finally, you could also use a quantity surveyor
0:25:53 > 0:25:55who would guide you on the costings.
0:25:55 > 0:26:01Very useful if you're going to be buying and sourcing your own materials.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03That is a very good tip.
0:26:03 > 0:26:08So, just how have these different approaches to rural renovation affected Alan and Ruksaana?
0:26:08 > 0:26:11Our little tour of properties in Devon is over
0:26:11 > 0:26:15and we have had the chance to show you two pretty ambitious projects,
0:26:15 > 0:26:20where are you on the scale of ambition that you want to take on for yourselves?
0:26:20 > 0:26:23I don't think I'm put off by anything that I have seen today.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25I'm still very excited.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29A little bit more confident that I can draw in people like architects
0:26:29 > 0:26:33and I'm looking forward to finding the right project.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36So, does the search for an empty property go on?
0:26:36 > 0:26:38- Absolutely.- We haven't put you off?
0:26:38 > 0:26:41- No.- If anything, it's the opposite.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44This has been an inspiration. You've stirred the pot.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47Ah, brilliant. Well, let's hope we keep it boiling!
0:26:47 > 0:26:49Best of luck, guys.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54I think today has been absolutely fascinating.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58It's hard to imagine two more divergent examples of style and architecture
0:26:58 > 0:27:02as the two properties we have had the chance to show Alan and Ruksaana.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06But I hope the experience will help them in whatever scale of project
0:27:06 > 0:27:08they eventually choose to take on.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd