0:00:02 > 0:00:05Across the United Kingdom there are nearly a million homes lying unloved
0:00:05 > 0:00:07and unlived in, ready for someone to come along
0:00:07 > 0:00:09and give them a bright new future.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12So, whether its a tired semi or a rambling mansion
0:00:12 > 0:00:15we're on a mission to rescue Britain's empty homes.
0:00:25 > 0:00:29Even in the midst of a national housing shortage,
0:00:29 > 0:00:32empty homes continue to languish in our towns
0:00:32 > 0:00:35and cities slipping further and further into decline.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38But, every now and then, somebody spots one, steps in,
0:00:38 > 0:00:42and changes its fate forever.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44Today, I'll be passing on my experience of renovating
0:00:44 > 0:00:48an empty house, advising an intrepid first-time buyer who has
0:00:48 > 0:00:50already taken the plunge and bought a wreck.
0:00:50 > 0:00:51That's very damp.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54And I'll be introducing her to experienced renovators
0:00:54 > 0:00:55who've done it all before.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57You made this yourself?
0:00:57 > 0:01:01- I did, yeah.- You're so clever. - Thanks!
0:01:02 > 0:01:04Look at how big it is.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07We'll also be hitting the streets with an empty property officer,
0:01:07 > 0:01:11on their mission to bring run-down buildings back into use.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14This would be the point of entry, I imagine.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Units like this, these double glazed units can be taken out
0:01:17 > 0:01:19in their entirety and just put to one side.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22Buying your first home is a huge step
0:01:22 > 0:01:25so you want to get it right from the start.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27Spotting the possibilities in an empty house
0:01:27 > 0:01:29and then maximising their potential,
0:01:29 > 0:01:32can not only deliver a dream home for a fraction
0:01:32 > 0:01:37of its final worth, but can also propel you up the property ladder.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41That's exactly what maths teacher, Rekah Patel, wanted to take
0:01:41 > 0:01:45advantage of when she decided it was time to move out of the family home
0:01:45 > 0:01:47and buy her first house.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50At the beginning, I wasn't really sure what I wanted.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53I've looked at terraces, detached,
0:01:53 > 0:01:58modern, old, and I just kept going back to the ones with character.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01To be honest, I didn't think I'd find a character home
0:02:01 > 0:02:05that I could afford, but I finally found the one.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09With high hopes, but a low budget of £160,000,
0:02:09 > 0:02:12Rekah figured buying an empty house in need of work would be
0:02:12 > 0:02:15an affordable way to get her perfect place.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19I'm a little bit scared about the renovation process.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22I mean, I am quite a practical person.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25I've done a lot of DIY with my dad and my brother.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30I am willing to learn very quickly as well,
0:02:30 > 0:02:32so I am looking forward to this.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38What Rekah eventually found was this Grade II listed Georgian cottage
0:02:38 > 0:02:42in the pretty village of Simmondley on the edge of the Peak District.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45The stone built, double fronted property has two bedrooms,
0:02:45 > 0:02:48two reception rooms and a private walled garden.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52- Hi, Rekah.- Hi, Jules. Nice to meet you.- Nice to meet you too.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55- So this is what you've jumped into with both feet.- It is, yes.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57It's beautiful.
0:02:57 > 0:02:58Now, let's just be clear,
0:02:58 > 0:03:00you're at the stage where your offer has been accepted.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04Yes, my offer's been accepted. I've done my survey.
0:03:04 > 0:03:10- So how much did it set you back? - It set me back £162,500.- OK.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12Well, that's on the face of it not too bad,
0:03:12 > 0:03:15but I can see, just looking at the line of the guttering there
0:03:15 > 0:03:18and so forth, there's a bit of woodwork that's gone amiss.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21But otherwise you think it's kind of sound.
0:03:21 > 0:03:22It is quite sound.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26It does need a lot of work, it does need a lot of work, but I'm willing
0:03:26 > 0:03:30- to put that work into it.- Now how much have you got to spend then in cash?
0:03:30 > 0:03:36- About £15,000.- To do it up a bit? - To do it up, to start with.- Yeah.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38And then I'll save up as I go.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41Because I'm on my own, it's not a bother.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43So, this is going to be quite a long-term labour of love, isn't it?
0:03:43 > 0:03:44Oh, it is, yes.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48But we've got £15,000 to really get it to a state where you feel
0:03:48 > 0:03:52- you can move in comfortably and get on with it.- Yeah.- OK.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55So, Rekah has found a great house in a great location,
0:03:55 > 0:03:58but with no renovation experience to transform it into her dream home,
0:03:58 > 0:04:01I want to help her decide on the scale of work
0:04:01 > 0:04:05she's prepared to take on and where she's going to need skilled labour.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08- Wow. Look at this old thing.- I know.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12- That's going to go, presumably, is it?- Yes. Definitely.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15What are you going to do in here, then? What's this going to be?
0:04:15 > 0:04:17Well, I'm hoping to have a kitchen/diner
0:04:17 > 0:04:21because my kitchen's through here, so this wall here is hoping to go.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25OK. And then it's going to open up through here into...
0:04:25 > 0:04:26This tiny kitchen.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28THEY LAUGH
0:04:28 > 0:04:32- Yes.- Even for me. - Even for you this is very small.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34But taking this out is going to be quite a number.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38Have you spoken to your friendly conservation officer about this wall?
0:04:38 > 0:04:42Yes, I have. She's seen the kitchen and she's seen how small it is
0:04:42 > 0:04:45and she does understand that this wall needs to be taken down,
0:04:45 > 0:04:48but she said you still need to apply for it.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51Again, this is one of the tricks of taking on a listed building,
0:04:51 > 0:04:55isn't it? You've got to absolutely dot all the Is and cross all the Ts
0:04:55 > 0:04:58because if you upset them and you do something that they don't
0:04:58 > 0:05:02- think is appropriate, you could find yourself in quite a bit of trouble. - Yeah.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04Rekah's done well finding this place
0:05:04 > 0:05:07and I want to give her some ideas of what she can do to it.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11- Now, this is the living room. - Very generous actually in space.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15I can see why this place has really captured your imagination.
0:05:15 > 0:05:20- Yes, I can imagine a log burning stove there.- What's in here then?
0:05:20 > 0:05:21- Any ideas?- No. I don't know.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23REKAH LAUGHS
0:05:23 > 0:05:25Do you know what? I think that's a salt cellar.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27Why would you have it in here though?
0:05:27 > 0:05:32- Traditionally that's where they were. Kept it nice and dry the fire would have been going...- Right.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34- This is interesting, though. Ah.- Ah.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37- That goes through to your kitchen. - Right.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41- So you could have another door here into your kitchen.- Right, OK.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44Again, you need to clear that with the conservation guys.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48But if you could, that could make the whole thing flow in a nice circular way.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51- Right. It's exciting, isn't it? - It's really exciting!
0:05:51 > 0:05:53I really like it, actually.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56- This is my master bedroom.- Wow.
0:05:56 > 0:06:01- Isn't it amazing?- It's huge. You've clearly got a bit of an issue here.
0:06:01 > 0:06:02- Yes.- That's very damp.- Yes.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06It may be that the gutters simply aren't functioning properly.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09But you're obviously well aware of some of the obvious
0:06:09 > 0:06:13pitfalls that this place has. It probably needs rewiring completely.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15- It does need rewiring. - The central heating.
0:06:15 > 0:06:20The damp, I suspect, is going to be the biggest headache for you.
0:06:20 > 0:06:24Because, until you get that right, there's no point pouring time
0:06:24 > 0:06:29and money into even basics like repainting, re-wallpapering,
0:06:29 > 0:06:30because it simply won't last.
0:06:30 > 0:06:35You've got to get the damp done. Both damp issues up here
0:06:35 > 0:06:37and stuff that's coming up from down below.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39I think the best thing we can do now is get
0:06:39 > 0:06:42you into a couple of properties where the owners have also gone
0:06:42 > 0:06:45through the process that you are about to embark upon.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48Figure out how they did it, learn from them and hopefully come back
0:06:48 > 0:06:52with a more detailed and focused plan for you to take on this place.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54OK. Let's go.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01Rekah's property is clearly an enticing proposition for anyone,
0:07:01 > 0:07:04let alone a first time buyer like her. But therein lies the problem,
0:07:04 > 0:07:08she hasn't got tens of thousands of pounds to throw at this straight away.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11It's going to require careful and meticulous planning
0:07:11 > 0:07:13to finally turn it round. But the good news is
0:07:13 > 0:07:18that whatever she lacks in cash, she more than makes up for in enthusiasm.
0:07:19 > 0:07:24Later, I'll be introducing Rekah to accomplished renovators who've
0:07:24 > 0:07:25taken on daunting projects,
0:07:25 > 0:07:29to show her how great things can be achieved once you have the know how.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31Taking on a renovation of any size
0:07:31 > 0:07:34is a big challenge, especially if you've never done it before.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40That's just what Catherine Cantin found when she bought this
0:07:40 > 0:07:43three-storey end terrace in North London in 2008.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46When I got the keys, that was probably the most exciting moment,
0:07:46 > 0:07:50walking in, in whatever shape the house was in. But just
0:07:50 > 0:07:54knowing that it was mine and knowing what I could possibly do to it.
0:07:55 > 0:07:56The house had been
0:07:56 > 0:07:57empty for six months
0:07:57 > 0:08:00when Catherine paid £825,000 for it.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03She then found an architect she trusted
0:08:03 > 0:08:05and set out on a renovation lasting ten months.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09I couldn't have done this without an architect.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13I don't have the foresight or the vision.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17And he walked in and his enthusiasm was very contagious
0:08:17 > 0:08:20because he could see exactly what he wanted to do
0:08:20 > 0:08:21and what he could do.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25I knew that wherever I lived it had to be liked
0:08:25 > 0:08:29and the architect has done some fantastic things.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32The first idea he had, which completely made sense to me
0:08:32 > 0:08:36and it was very simple, is to have a skylight at the top of the first
0:08:36 > 0:08:41set of stairs. So when you open the door, you're looking up into light.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44The top floor, where we have a butterfly roof and it's fabulous.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48So, normally in a Victorian house, it gets darker the higher up you go,
0:08:48 > 0:08:52it just seems to get lighter and lighter.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55Very greedily, we managed to get one in the kitchen and the extension
0:08:55 > 0:08:59of the kitchen and that's fantastic because the sun comes in there.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01Life resolves around food.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05I love eating. I love company, socialising and now I love having a garden.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11And the kitchen that is a living area and an eating area
0:09:11 > 0:09:15and just a hanging out in area and that I can open these doors
0:09:15 > 0:09:20and the kitchen becomes the outside, the garden comes into the kitchen.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24Having the nerve to take on a vacant property means Catherine has
0:09:24 > 0:09:27been able to tailor the house completely to her needs.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31At a cost of just under £600,000 for the transformation.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38I think I'll probably stop just right here. It's fabulous.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40It's everything I could have dreamed for, really.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48Even as we speak, there's probably an empty property
0:09:48 > 0:09:51in your town that's being investigated by a dedicated band
0:09:51 > 0:09:54of empty property officers. Trying to figure out why it's
0:09:54 > 0:09:58been abandoned and what can be done to get it back into use again.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05Andrew Vickers is the Empty Property Officer at Nottingham City Council.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08A former policeman with 30 years experience pounding
0:10:08 > 0:10:10the beat in the city, over the last two years alone
0:10:10 > 0:10:14he's found new owners for over 350 abandoned buildings.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18I particularly enjoy tracking empty home-owners down.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22I pride myself on having a fairly high success rate in finding them.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24I would say it is around about the 99% mark.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29Andrew gets around 20 new cases a month.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32But today he's dealing with one of his longest running ones.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35This morning, I'm going to visit a property that I've been invited
0:10:35 > 0:10:38back to look at which has been empty for about 20 years.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41A taxi office with three domestic properties above
0:10:41 > 0:10:43in a city centre location.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46Originally owned by a co-operative, the taxi firm was wound up
0:10:46 > 0:10:50in 1986 and the Victorian property has been empty ever since.
0:10:50 > 0:10:55- Hello, Sean, nice to see you again. - How are you doing, Andrew?
0:10:55 > 0:10:56You all right? Come in.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59You've really done well with this.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03This was the taxi office and it was all falling apart.
0:11:03 > 0:11:04Complete mess, really.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08The building has been bought by two brothers whose father had been part
0:11:08 > 0:11:10of the co-operative who originally owned it.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13Now it's back in the family, their plan is to renovate
0:11:13 > 0:11:16the commercial part on the ground floor and the three flats above.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19There was an out house there with the steps coming down,
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- so that's all gone.- It was a kitchen and a bit of a bedroom.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25My dad roughly worked here from 1965 as a taxi driver.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28So we've got a bond with this building.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31My brother and I have always come here as children
0:11:31 > 0:11:33and been took to and fro and we feel
0:11:33 > 0:11:36like we want to put it back into its former glory if you like.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39We're feeling proud that we have done it.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41It's just a family moment, you know,
0:11:41 > 0:11:44that we can put this back into our family and say,
0:11:44 > 0:11:46"Yes, we had it and we lost it and we've got it back again."
0:11:46 > 0:11:50Got some original features here. The original cast-iron fireplace.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Yeah, that's right, that would have been with the coal fires.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55Many buildings in Nottingham
0:11:55 > 0:11:58are built on sandstone in which caves were often dug
0:11:58 > 0:11:59and used for a variety of purposes.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03And the builders have uncovered some at the rear of the old taxi office.
0:12:03 > 0:12:08So this would be a coal cellar with the black soot, the chute there.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10That's cut into the rock.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13Yeah, it would've been some kind of old cave.
0:12:13 > 0:12:18It's fascinating because you've exposed the bedrock again here.
0:12:18 > 0:12:23This is all Nottingham sandstone again and all the footings are laid
0:12:23 > 0:12:26upon this in probably the early 1800s.
0:12:26 > 0:12:31This has stood like this for 150 years. So presumably it's a good, solid base.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33Yeah, I would've thought so.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35Andrew's the main instigation here.
0:12:35 > 0:12:36The council have been great as well,
0:12:36 > 0:12:39but he's been a real help on getting this project back on track.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41I mean, it was one of his top priorities to get this
0:12:41 > 0:12:46property off the council's listings as bad properties in Nottingham.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52I'm really happy that this property is coming back into use.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54Since getting ownership,
0:12:54 > 0:12:59Sean and Damien have wasted no time at all in gutting this property.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01Starting work, they mean business.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04It was a mess and they're going to bring it back to life.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06I'm really happy with the progress they've made so far.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10For Andrew, it's been a long process, but ultimately worthwhile.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12After being left unused for more than 20 years,
0:13:12 > 0:13:16within the next six months this place will provide three
0:13:16 > 0:13:18much-needed homes and business premises.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23Now if you've ever wandered past an empty property
0:13:23 > 0:13:25and wondered what it's like on the inside,
0:13:25 > 0:13:29there are one or two tell-tale things that you can look for.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32Broken or damaged guttering could indicate that rainwater is getting
0:13:32 > 0:13:34into the walls and causing damp.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36Cracked walls could indicate subsidence
0:13:36 > 0:13:39and also have a look for cracked or broken roof tiles,
0:13:39 > 0:13:43that also could add to a whole host of problems with rotten timberwork.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46But for the experienced renovator, this sort of thing
0:13:46 > 0:13:49wouldn't really put them off because they'll know very well that
0:13:49 > 0:13:52such a thing could be bought for a bargain of a price.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00Rekah Patel has just bought her first house
0:14:00 > 0:14:02and is ready to leave her family home.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04She isn't shy of a challenge, which is lucky,
0:14:04 > 0:14:07as the empty Georgian cottage she's bought requires a lot of work.
0:14:07 > 0:14:13The damp, I suspect, is going to be the biggest headache for you.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15Being a renovation novice, Rekah
0:14:15 > 0:14:18needs the know how to tackle her Grade II listed house.
0:14:18 > 0:14:23So I'm going to introduce her to a couple who are part way through a major renovation,
0:14:23 > 0:14:25who can offer advice on the best way to approach a project.
0:14:25 > 0:14:30- What do you think of that?- That is amazing. Absolutely fantastic.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34- Now, this was completely derelict. - No way.- Yes.
0:14:34 > 0:14:39It had been so for at least five years before these guys took it on
0:14:39 > 0:14:42and they have had to do absolutely everything.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45So it's a much bigger project than yours,
0:14:45 > 0:14:49but a lot of the principles involved here are the same.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53Simon and Sharon Stanton bought the old mill ten years ago.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57It dates back to the 1600s and additions built on in the 1820s
0:14:57 > 0:15:01make up the bulk of the current home, which had stood empty for five years.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05I used to live on a very busy main road with trucks going past
0:15:05 > 0:15:07and cars and people banging on the doors.
0:15:07 > 0:15:12I dreamed of somewhere quiet and this was the ideal spot, really.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14When Simon showed me the house,
0:15:14 > 0:15:18I was like, "Oh, it's just awful". I couldn't see the bigger picture.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25- I said, "Would you like to live here?"- And I said, "absolutely not"!
0:15:25 > 0:15:28Still very much a work in progress,
0:15:28 > 0:15:32this renovation has been a gradual process over the past ten years
0:15:32 > 0:15:34with the work being done by builder, Simon.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38- OK, so as you can see this is the kitchen.- Oh, lovely.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40Look at the range!
0:15:40 > 0:15:42THEY LAUGH
0:15:42 > 0:15:45- You are dying for a range in your new kitchen, aren't you?- Oh, wow.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48Just give us a real sense, a picture of what this place was like
0:15:48 > 0:15:51when you found it, what, ten years ago?
0:15:51 > 0:15:53Oh, it was... All the windows were blocked up.
0:15:53 > 0:15:58It had holes in the roof. No floors. Vandalised.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01It's been hard work, but worth it.
0:16:01 > 0:16:06The other thing, I suppose, to look at is the walls and the lime plaster
0:16:06 > 0:16:10that you've got on there because this is a great remedy for damp, isn't it?
0:16:10 > 0:16:12That's correct, yeah. It breathes, you see.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15Whereas traditional plaster doesn't breathe.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19It keeps the moisture in, whereas lime plaster lets it breathe.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23- Right. Because I've had my survey.- Oh right. And they said to damp-proof?
0:16:23 > 0:16:25- Yeah.- It's definitely the way to do it in an old house.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29- You shouldn't put damp-proofing in old houses.- Right, OK.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31- So, there you go. - First bit of advice.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33First bit of advice.
0:16:34 > 0:16:40- Ah, Rekah, look at this. Wow! Come on in.- Look at that. Look at that fireplace.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44I'm hoping to find one underneath that awful chimney breast.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48I mean, keeping the cost down is going to be a key thing here
0:16:48 > 0:16:52because you have effectively got 15,000 or so to make a start
0:16:52 > 0:16:55and it is really about priorities.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58Where you would start? Where did you start with this one?
0:16:58 > 0:17:02The roof. I got the roof sorted first. That's the major thing.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05Get a lid on it and just work your way down then.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07Sharon and Simon have also added an extension
0:17:07 > 0:17:10to the side of the old mill.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13Wow. This is amazing!
0:17:13 > 0:17:16- This is going to be quite a statement, this room, isn't it?- Yes.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20It was a mill here originally which I knocked down
0:17:20 > 0:17:24and put planning in to rebuild it as an extension as part of the house.
0:17:24 > 0:17:30- Look at that fireplace.- But this is not original to the building, is it?
0:17:30 > 0:17:34- No. No.- Is it not?- No. No. I made it.- You made this yourself?
0:17:34 > 0:17:40- I did, yes.- You're so clever. - Thanks.- Look at how big it is!
0:17:42 > 0:17:46But with this, I mean, you are creating an enormous space,
0:17:46 > 0:17:48Sharon, what's going to happen up there?
0:17:48 > 0:17:51We could make probably eight more rooms upstairs,
0:17:51 > 0:17:53but I think there's going to be possibly four.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56But you are you are doing it to live in, not develop and sell.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58No, definitely to live in. It's the family home.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03So from all your experience, what would be your top tips?
0:18:03 > 0:18:08Definitely to prioritise what is a necessity in your home.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11You know, make sure you've got your working kitchen.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13I would say that would be my first thing to do
0:18:13 > 0:18:15and just not to cut corners.
0:18:15 > 0:18:21- Save up and do it properly.- Thanks for that.- Make sense?- Yes. It does.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24- Excited still?- I'm excited, but a little bit scared.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27A little bit scared. Hopefully we haven't put you off.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31The key thing is we're trying, really, to kind of open your eyes
0:18:31 > 0:18:33to what the reality of taking on any renovation is all about.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35Yeah, definitely.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39You know, we often use the term a labour of love
0:18:39 > 0:18:43when talking about renovations, but this really is the real thing.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46Ten years on, Simon and Sharon are still plugging away,
0:18:46 > 0:18:49creating a home that, by their own admission,
0:18:49 > 0:18:52they would never ordinarily have been able to afford.
0:18:52 > 0:18:57And as for Rekah, her insatiable enthusiasm remains undaunted
0:18:57 > 0:19:01and lots of good ideas for her to take away for her own project.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05Later, I'll be taking her to see a finished project which
0:19:05 > 0:19:07I hope will show her that you don't have to have
0:19:07 > 0:19:11experience in renovations to turn a wreck into a wonderful home.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15But first, back in Nottingham, empty-property officer
0:19:15 > 0:19:17Andrew Vickers is dealing with a typical problem case.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20Today, he's en route to a property which is
0:19:20 > 0:19:22a cause for concern for its neighbour.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25I'm going to check up on a house that was reported to me last week,
0:19:25 > 0:19:27which had been broken into.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30The lady next door has reported it.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33She actually caught some youths coming out of the property.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36She's concerned for her own safety and that of her house.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41This end terrace has been empty for more than a year.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43It was the subject of a repossession order
0:19:43 > 0:19:46and a new owner bought it in April 2010.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48For the neighbour next door, it's been a real worry.
0:19:48 > 0:19:53Living next to the empty property, at times, has been very frightening.
0:19:53 > 0:19:58Broken windows, doors open, very threatening at times.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02Properties like this, that are left empty, often attract
0:20:02 > 0:20:06anti-social behaviour and, in fact, this one has been broken into recently.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09Andrew's already contacted the new owner about carrying out work to
0:20:09 > 0:20:13secure the house and today he wants to check that this has been done.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16This window's obviously been hastily repaired.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20This would be the point of entry, I imagine.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23Units like this, these double-glazed units can be taken out
0:20:23 > 0:20:25in their entirety and just put to one side.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28It looks like this one's been repaired by the owner
0:20:28 > 0:20:29and put back in.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32Not every empty home-owner acts as promptly as that.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35It's quite pleasing to see that somebody is taking a bit of trouble
0:20:35 > 0:20:40over their property and responding to my requests.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43Andrew now wants to reassure the neighbour about what he's found.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46It looks like the new owner will renovate it and let it out.
0:20:46 > 0:20:51- Let's hope that happens sooner rather than later.- Hopefully. Hopefully.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53- Thank you.- Bye.- Bye-bye.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56When it looks empty it goes into a spiral of decline quite rapidly
0:20:56 > 0:20:58and to nip it in the bud like this is a good thing.
0:20:58 > 0:21:03It's good that the owner has acted promptly and got it repaired.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07It looks as if it'll be back into use imminently.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11In the coming months, once the house is renovated, it will become
0:21:11 > 0:21:14a home again and be one more case closed for Andrew.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17But he will be monitoring its progress closely.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24Rekah Patel has just bought her first home.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28She fell in love with this beautiful stone-built Georgian property
0:21:28 > 0:21:29and was undeterred by the worn-out decor.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33She's been introduced to Simon and Sharon
0:21:33 > 0:21:35who are in the process of an exciting renovation
0:21:35 > 0:21:38on an old sandstone property built in the 1820s.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41And now I want to show Rekah a finished project to prove to her
0:21:41 > 0:21:43just how much can be achieved
0:21:43 > 0:21:47when you breathe life back into a period place.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51- Wow!- What do you think?- It's amazing. Look at that wheel.- Yeah.
0:21:51 > 0:21:56- It's an old mill. 1716 this was built.- Right.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59If you take nothing away from this particular building, hopefully
0:21:59 > 0:22:04its exquisite design and presentation will be things that will stick
0:22:04 > 0:22:07in your mind and you can take some of those ideas into your own build.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10Let's have a look. Let's get out of the rain.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14When Margaret Nathaniel set eyes on this graceful old water mill
0:22:14 > 0:22:17back in the 1990s, she instantly fell in love with it and was determined to
0:22:17 > 0:22:21make it her home even though she had never renovated a property before.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24- Let me introduce you to Rekah. - Nice to meet you.- Hi, Rekah. - Nice to see you.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27Built in 1716, it was known as the Shovel Mill
0:22:27 > 0:22:29because workmen's tools were made here.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32A village landmark for centuries, after an 11-month renovation,
0:22:32 > 0:22:35it was turned into a unique family home,
0:22:35 > 0:22:39successfully combining contemporary taste with past traditions.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43- Wow. This is beautiful.- What do you think of the open-plan style?
0:22:43 > 0:22:46I really like it. I really love it. Especially the A-frames.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50We've seen two properties with A-frames now.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54It sort of makes me want to knock my ceiling through.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57- Now what do you reckon to the floor? - I think it's beautiful.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01It is the original floor, but from the floor below.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05I asked could the floor be used and the builder said it could.
0:23:05 > 0:23:10But they took the roof off and it was in inches of water
0:23:10 > 0:23:12and I was really worried.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15I thought, well, it's not going to be able to be used, but it was
0:23:15 > 0:23:19and there are a few holes here and there, but I think that adds to it really.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22Yeah, it is all part of the flavour, isn't it?
0:23:22 > 0:23:25Going to the heart of reclaiming materials that may be in,
0:23:25 > 0:23:29the building. So that's something you should really keep an eye out for,
0:23:29 > 0:23:33but it's an absolute triumph. I think this is a lovely conversion.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36In a way it is a bit upside-down, isn't it?
0:23:36 > 0:23:40Yes, the bedrooms are underneath. They're on the floor below.
0:23:40 > 0:23:45But I just think this room is so lovely to have the open aspect
0:23:45 > 0:23:48and be able to look at the river and the wildlife.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51The changing seasons, it's just fantastic.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56- Ah, this is gorgeous, isn't it?- Very nice.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58Now this, we should add at this point,
0:23:58 > 0:24:01is a whole new extension, isn't it?
0:24:01 > 0:24:03Yes, the mill was taken down and rebuilt
0:24:03 > 0:24:06and then this was added on as extra.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09So were you able to use a lot of the stone that came
0:24:09 > 0:24:13out of the original mill structure to face all of this extension?
0:24:13 > 0:24:14- Yes.- This is great.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18I think this is the sort of style that would really suit your place, Rekah.
0:24:18 > 0:24:19Yeah.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23Things that I'm picking up on - the tongue-and-groove on the wall,
0:24:23 > 0:24:26it's a really lovely device to give something a bit more texture
0:24:26 > 0:24:29and character and the colours you've picked, I love them.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32It's easy to paint yourself as well.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35So if you're intending saving money that way...
0:24:35 > 0:24:39I really like this multi-colour thing going on well, it's very nice.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43It's kind of texture, isn't it? I think.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47And then you can use the colours that are in something like that
0:24:47 > 0:24:48in other places, then.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51So what would be your final tips then?
0:24:51 > 0:24:55I think, because of the age of the property,
0:24:55 > 0:25:00to buy good quality things to go in it, don't cut corners
0:25:00 > 0:25:05because in the end you end up paying more in things like the granite worktops,
0:25:05 > 0:25:10the beech wood worktops, they don't cost an awful lot of money,
0:25:10 > 0:25:15but I think if you get good quality things, they last longer.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19- Well, that's a theme that's emerging from today, is quality.- Yes.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22I definitely will be taking that advice on board.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26Margaret's renovation is a much bigger project
0:25:26 > 0:25:29than Rekah will be doing at her house. But I hope it has given her
0:25:29 > 0:25:32the inspiration to tackle hers with confidence.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36Now then, Rekah, we've packed in a huge amount today.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39It all started with you giving me a tour of your new home.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43Now, have you had any more thoughts as to what you are going to do with it,
0:25:43 > 0:25:46since we've had had our little tour of renovations?
0:25:46 > 0:25:48Yes.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51I think the main thing is the thing about quality
0:25:51 > 0:25:56all the way through, from the builders to the materials that you buy.
0:25:56 > 0:26:01So I think it is save and then do, save and do.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03You see that's really important, I think,
0:26:03 > 0:26:06because as you can see from Simon and Sharon's job,
0:26:06 > 0:26:10I mean, they've been at it ten years and that's exactly what they've done,
0:26:10 > 0:26:12saved a bit, built a bit, saved a bit, built a bit.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14That's really going to be the pattern of your life
0:26:14 > 0:26:16for the next two or three years, I suspect.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19I think so, definitely, but I'm looking forward to it.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23Very best of luck with it, Rekah. And enjoy it, have fun.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25It shouldn't be a toil.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28It should be something you find enormously rewarding,
0:26:28 > 0:26:30- which I'm sure you will. - Yeah, I think I will.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34- Brilliant, well look, here's to you. Best of luck.- Cheers.- Cheers.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37You know, in meeting Rekah, I have rarely come across anybody
0:26:37 > 0:26:41who's so excited about the idea of taking on a renovation.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44Not least, of course, because it's her first home, but in taking on
0:26:44 > 0:26:48an empty property, she's going to get exactly what she wants.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50Now, of course, she can't do it all at once.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52It's going to be a very measured approach,
0:26:52 > 0:26:56but, step by step, I think she'll get there and what a place it'll be.
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