0:00:02 > 0:00:05Across the country, empty properties that could be homes
0:00:05 > 0:00:09are waiting to be brought back into use.
0:00:09 > 0:00:10I'll be finding out why
0:00:10 > 0:00:14and what you need to do to rescue a house for yourself
0:00:14 > 0:00:17Along the way, I'll do some digging of my own to find out more
0:00:17 > 0:00:21about our housing stock, our heritage, and why we should be both
0:00:21 > 0:00:24reinventing and preserving Britain's empty homes.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36Buying and renovating a derelict property is no mean feat.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38It has the potential to be stressful and expensive,
0:00:38 > 0:00:41especially if you haven't done it before.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44But for those with a vision who are prepared to put in the hard work
0:00:44 > 0:00:46the results can be spectacular.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54'On today's show, I'll be meeting a brave pair of renovators
0:00:54 > 0:00:57'who have taken on an extraordinary challenge.'
0:00:57 > 0:00:59This is a big job.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04'I'll be finding out about a historical building
0:01:04 > 0:01:05'rescued from demolition.'
0:01:05 > 0:01:09- So that was you very much taking a stand?- Yes.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13'And we'll join an empty property officer
0:01:13 > 0:01:17'on a mission to save derelict homes from falling into disrepair.'
0:01:17 > 0:01:21One window goes, two windows go, a third window goes.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23It becomes a target, doesn't it?
0:01:27 > 0:01:29Brian and Marianne, who live in Yorkshire,
0:01:29 > 0:01:32are about to embark on an ambitious project
0:01:32 > 0:01:34to turn a dilapidated stone property
0:01:34 > 0:01:38into a modern, open-plan home for their young family.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49The family were living in America but Marianne is a Yorkshire lass
0:01:49 > 0:01:53and, as her young family expanded, she felt the pull of home.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59We moved into Walton, which was a rural type of village
0:01:59 > 0:02:02on Brian's request, cos he likes village scenes, being from America.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06It was in this picturesque Yorkshire village that they spotted a property
0:02:06 > 0:02:08which completely changed their lives.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11I were pushing Ana Maria back and forth on a swing.
0:02:11 > 0:02:12Just behind the swings,
0:02:12 > 0:02:16you end up looking at this very big, austere-looking stone property.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20It was love at first sight, and although neither of them
0:02:20 > 0:02:25had much renovation experience, they decided to go for it.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28A big part of it was the potential that we saw in it.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32We could buy a very ordinary house with a postage-stamp sized garden,
0:02:32 > 0:02:37or, for a similar type of investment, but a lot more risk,
0:02:37 > 0:02:39we could have a great property.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48With two young children and full-time jobs to juggle,
0:02:48 > 0:02:51Brian and Marianne have a lot on their plate.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56I'm meeting up with them to find out more about their plans.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00Later, I'll be introducing them to a couple who did a similar renovation
0:03:00 > 0:03:03and are now reaping the benefits.
0:03:07 > 0:03:12- Hello, you must be Marianne? - It is. That's right.- And Brian. - Nice to meet you.- Hello.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15- Tell me about this. This is yours, isn't it?- This is our new house. Absolutely.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19What a building and what do you know about it?
0:03:19 > 0:03:21- It's been there since 1867.- Wow.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25It was built to be a training school, a launderette and cookery school for local girls.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29This really impressive lady called Mary Pilkington had it purpose-built,
0:03:29 > 0:03:33hence all the chimney pots on top of it, to be able to run the school.
0:03:33 > 0:03:38Wow. Mary Pilkington's cooking and laundry school.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41- I'm itching to look inside. Can we? - Of course.- Brilliant. Lead the way.
0:03:46 > 0:03:51'The house has been empty since 1975 when its last occupants moved out.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55'Brian and Marianne are still in the process of deciding exactly
0:03:55 > 0:03:59'what they want to do with what is effectively a blank canvas.'
0:03:59 > 0:04:03Wow! To state the obvious, guys, there's not a lot here, is there?
0:04:03 > 0:04:05This is a big job.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08So this building has been empty for 35 years.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12Your neighbours, the local community, must be so happy
0:04:12 > 0:04:14that someone has been brave enough to take this on.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17They're behind us every step of the way which is lovely.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19Deep down, they all want to own it.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22A lot of people have said, "I'm really envious of you."
0:04:22 > 0:04:24Not the hard work, but actually owning it.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26So that's exciting for us.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28This is a landmark building.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31One of the earliest examples of a cooking and laundry school I know.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34Some in the 1880s and 1890s but this is an early one.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37Then it becomes a landmark for the wrong reasons.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39Empty for 35 years,
0:04:39 > 0:04:42but now you want to change that and bring it to life once more.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46If you go to the library and pull out the book, The History Of Walton,
0:04:46 > 0:04:50they describe the three historic structures of this part of Walton,
0:04:50 > 0:04:51and this is one of them.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54The author very dejectedly describes this half of the building
0:04:54 > 0:04:57saying, after all these years of vandalism and theft,
0:04:57 > 0:05:00it's probably beyond all recovery.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03- Makes us more determined. - Does it?- Very motivating.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06When you first looked in, did you maybe agree with them a little bit
0:05:06 > 0:05:08and think maybe it is a bit beyond repair?
0:05:08 > 0:05:11It's the outer limits of what we would ever take on.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- It's a big risk and it's a stretch.- Right.
0:05:14 > 0:05:19But because the shell is so good, we thought maybe it's worth it.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26- Shall we have a bit of a tour? Let's have a look round.- Sure.- Sure.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31'Brian and Marianne hope to turn the downstairs space
0:05:31 > 0:05:33'into two main areas.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36'A living room and an open-plan family kitchen.'
0:05:37 > 0:05:39This will be the kitchen.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41It has everything, including the kitchen sink.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44Exactly, just about, anyway.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48- I can see upstairs. Can we get up there? Is that possible?- We can do.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50Back that way, up the ladder, yes.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55'Upstairs, they are planning two children's bedrooms, a guest room
0:05:55 > 0:05:58'and a bright, airy master bedroom.'
0:05:58 > 0:06:01It's nice to be here with light coming in.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04You have the chimneys to work with everywhere in this house.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06The fireplaces are all different
0:06:06 > 0:06:09every time you get back to the original brickwork.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12So, this one, you can see had just the Yorkshire block
0:06:12 > 0:06:16and probably had a very simple coal burning thing in front of it.
0:06:16 > 0:06:17Yeah, very narrow.
0:06:17 > 0:06:22Whereas, the brickwork on that one has the arch and was a more decorative piece.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27'The couple spent £300,000 on the property
0:06:27 > 0:06:31'and with a modest budget of between £50,000-£80,000 for renovation,
0:06:31 > 0:06:34'they have an almighty challenge ahead of them.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38'Brian is going to have to do the gutting and the groundwork himself
0:06:38 > 0:06:41'before he even starts to think about employing tradesmen.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45'On this budget, they can't afford to make any mistakes.
0:06:45 > 0:06:50'At the back of the property is half an acre of garden with orchard.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56'The couple plan a children's tree house and vegetable plot.'
0:06:56 > 0:07:00It's big, isn't it? This could be a great garden.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02It was prickles and brambles up to here, initially,
0:07:02 > 0:07:07so Brian dug out all the nettles but it's absolutely full of weeds again
0:07:07 > 0:07:10so it's going to be a complete ongoing battle with it.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12'Later I'll be showing Brian and Marianne
0:07:12 > 0:07:15'a former farmhouse that just 18 months ago,
0:07:15 > 0:07:18'was in the same derelict state as theirs
0:07:18 > 0:07:21'in the hope they will pick up some useful tips and inspiration
0:07:21 > 0:07:23'from the owners.'
0:07:23 > 0:07:27But it isn't just historical buildings in need of salvation.
0:07:27 > 0:07:32Up and down the country, it's the job of empty property officers
0:07:32 > 0:07:36to try to revive the fortunes of Britain's forgotten homes.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43Mike Thompson is empty property officer for Thanet in Kent.
0:07:43 > 0:07:48He's a man on a mission to save this coastal region's forgotten homes.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52The government sets targets of building thousands of new homes.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56There's these properties laying empty wanting to be brought back to use.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00I retire in just under 12 months
0:08:00 > 0:08:03and it's my mission to leave a legacy of my work behind me.
0:08:03 > 0:08:04Working as a one-man band,
0:08:04 > 0:08:10Mike's responsible for 3,000 empty buildings across the Kent coast.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13Behind every empty property is a story.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15A story I like to get a handle on and get to know.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18The growth of package holidays in the 1980s left its mark
0:08:18 > 0:08:21on our seaside towns.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24As more Brits decided to holiday abroad,
0:08:24 > 0:08:27once splendid hotels were left empty.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31Today Mike's in Margate to check out the progress on his latest project.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34I'm on my way now to the former Warren Court Hotel
0:08:34 > 0:08:37where we have a radical solution to save the beautiful frontages.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40I'm here today to meet the architect and the developer
0:08:40 > 0:08:43to see the sort of progress they are making.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46Mike's current concern is this beautiful double-fronted
0:08:46 > 0:08:49period property which was previously a school
0:08:49 > 0:08:52before being turned into the Warren Court Hotel
0:08:52 > 0:08:54at the height of Margate's tourism boom.
0:08:57 > 0:09:02The hotel closed down nine years ago and has been vacant ever since.
0:09:02 > 0:09:07A magnet for vandals and drug users, and subjected to two arson attacks,
0:09:07 > 0:09:13this vermin-infested property became a health hazard to its neighbours.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16Mike and the Kent Council made a compulsory purchase of the property
0:09:16 > 0:09:19and are working with a local developer
0:09:19 > 0:09:22to turn the hotel into quality social housing.
0:09:25 > 0:09:30This is an ambitious project, as all that remains is the facade.
0:09:34 > 0:09:39- What have we got here, Tanya?- This is the proposed plan for the site.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42Inside there will be a total of 20 new residences -
0:09:42 > 0:09:4612 new houses and eight flats.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48We have two semi-detached units there.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50We obviously have the front terrace
0:09:50 > 0:09:53and then we've got the terrace of three units
0:09:53 > 0:09:55and rear garden to the dwellings.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00A hi-tech scaffold structure has been erected to prop up the facade,
0:10:00 > 0:10:05preserving the Georgian portico, bay windows and front steps
0:10:05 > 0:10:08while the work commences on the flank and rear walls.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12But working in a conservation area has given the developers
0:10:12 > 0:10:15some serious design challenges.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19It was important for the buildings to relate to the surrounding site
0:10:19 > 0:10:23and, obviously, the buildings are very tall.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25We raised the building by a metre
0:10:25 > 0:10:31and also the floor-to-ceiling heights are very generous compared to modern standards.
0:10:31 > 0:10:36Those things together worked to get as grand and tall a building as possible.
0:10:36 > 0:10:41And the retention of things like balconies and canopies is fantastic, isn't it?
0:10:41 > 0:10:43Picking that architectural detail.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45- It finishes off the square.- Indeed.
0:10:47 > 0:10:54To get your hands on the project of this magnitude and bring something of real benefit to the community,
0:10:54 > 0:10:57providing 20 family homes, is really exciting and something
0:10:57 > 0:10:59I am really proud to have hung my hat on.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01It is the icing on the cake for me.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07Empty property officers aren't the only individuals
0:11:07 > 0:11:10who can spot potential in old and empty buildings.
0:11:10 > 0:11:16That said, it does take a certain type of person to see past the dirt, dust and dilapidation.
0:11:16 > 0:11:21But, with vision, backbone and bags of patience,
0:11:21 > 0:11:26you too could find your ideal abode in an empty home.
0:11:28 > 0:11:33In July 2008, Gary and Colette Dudley bought a Victorian chapel
0:11:33 > 0:11:37by the sea in Gwynedd, North Wales.
0:11:37 > 0:11:42Built in the 1880s and with 80% of the original stained glass still in place,
0:11:42 > 0:11:45it was an empty shell with heaps of potential,
0:11:45 > 0:11:51and the couple couldn't resist paying the £190,000 price tag.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53When I walked into this building first,
0:11:53 > 0:11:56the feeling I got was of being protected,
0:11:56 > 0:11:59like my heart was in its hands, if I can say that.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03It sounds crazy but it was like a love affair with the building.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08It wasn't at all austere.
0:12:08 > 0:12:13It was just a lovely, warm feeling when you walked in.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16That's how I felt when I saw it.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20And I thought, whoopee! Another 12 months of hard work!
0:12:20 > 0:12:25Long days, long nights, more bumps and bangs, but...
0:12:25 > 0:12:31the location, the position and everything about the place is a fantastic place to live.
0:12:33 > 0:12:38Closed in the late 1950s, it has been empty on and off for the last 60 years.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41There was nothing in here. There was no kitchen, nothing.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44It was like posh camping.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48Virtually camping out in an old church hall.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55We did have a few interesting interruptions
0:12:55 > 0:12:58where people still thought it was a chapel and it was open.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02We'd have the general public just walking through the door to see what was going on.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10A builder by trade, Gary did all the work himself,
0:13:10 > 0:13:13taking just under a year to complete the renovations.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18I prefer to use old materials. I like things to look quirky
0:13:18 > 0:13:21and I want everything to suit
0:13:21 > 0:13:24and fit into the building.
0:13:24 > 0:13:30The open, airy spaces are the perfect place to showcase their eclectic taste.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33People shouldn't be frightened by buying chapels.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36They were built to last.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38These walls are two-and-a-half feet thick.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42Whether you cut them in half or make them boxes inside,
0:13:42 > 0:13:45or whether you go with the whole space,
0:13:45 > 0:13:48they are fantastic places to live.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50- We love living here, don't we? - We love it.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01Back in Yorkshire, Brian and Marianne are renovating a 19th century schoolhouse.
0:14:01 > 0:14:06Later, I'll take them to visit a fabulous converted Georgian property.
0:14:06 > 0:14:11First, I'm keen to find out more about their new home.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14Marianne and Brian have clearly got a real piece of history
0:14:14 > 0:14:20and, although not everyone is lucky enough to own a property with such a rich and tangible past,
0:14:20 > 0:14:22every building has a story
0:14:22 > 0:14:25and it may often be more intriguing than you'd think.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30Dr Libby Scott has been living in the adjoining house since 1982.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34Over the years, she has collected old photographs,
0:14:34 > 0:14:36postcards and press cuttings
0:14:36 > 0:14:39relating to the house and the local area.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42This was part of a very established estate, wasn't it?
0:14:42 > 0:14:46Yes. The Pilkington family were landowners and owned part of the village.
0:14:46 > 0:14:51Mary Pilkington was the village benefactress.
0:14:51 > 0:14:56Boys had jobs. They could be apprentices, they could work on the fields.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00But girls didn't have much chance for education or a trade,
0:15:00 > 0:15:04so she set up this building as a laundry school.
0:15:04 > 0:15:09- You have also got some photos of how it used to be, is that right? - Yes, this is well over 100 years ago.
0:15:09 > 0:15:15A little boy, I think he is wearing knickerbockers, standing outside.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19There is a photograph here that was taken some time in the 1920s.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22Wow! It's very bold, isn't it? A lovely picture.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25Despite its rich historical past,
0:15:25 > 0:15:29the ex-laundry school was nearly knocked down in 1992
0:15:29 > 0:15:33when developers planned to create an access road
0:15:33 > 0:15:35for 150 new-build houses.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38There was a notice pinned on the front door
0:15:38 > 0:15:43saying the developers were going to knock it down within a fortnight.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46So I decided to launch a campaign.
0:15:46 > 0:15:52- That was you very much taking a stand and leading from the front.- Yes.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56Libby's campaign paid off and the building was saved,
0:15:56 > 0:15:58in the name of historical interest.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00It is an amazing building
0:16:00 > 0:16:03and now there is a couple who want to return it to its former glory.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06I'm really pleased that, at last, we have neighbours.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10It will make quite a difference to our property when we have people living next door.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13Yeah. Thank goodness it's still standing!
0:16:20 > 0:16:24There are many ways to find out more about the previous life of your property.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28If it's of historical interest, your council will have an officer
0:16:28 > 0:16:31who can tell you more about the building.
0:16:31 > 0:16:36Census information or electoral registers mean you can find out more about the previous owners
0:16:36 > 0:16:39and, as we've seen, it's important to ask around.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42Members of the local community can often be
0:16:42 > 0:16:46the most valuable source of information.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56Luckily for Brian and Marianne they had vigilant and proactive neighbours
0:16:56 > 0:16:58who helped save their future home.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02But that was just the beginning. There's a long, long way to go.
0:17:08 > 0:17:13I think you need such unrelenting confidence for a project this big and this daunting.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17They haven't decided on style or layout and exactly where everything will go,
0:17:17 > 0:17:23but I will try and inspire them with a vision of how the property could be.
0:17:23 > 0:17:24Guys, glance this way.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28This is what I brought you to see. First impressions?
0:17:28 > 0:17:32- Wow!- Stunning. That's a gorgeous property.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35A year ago, this was in a very similar state
0:17:35 > 0:17:37to how your property is now.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39That is hard to believe.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43This was a farmhouse from about 1769, I believe,
0:17:43 > 0:17:44so about 100 years before yours,
0:17:44 > 0:17:48and it was used as a farmhouse right up until the 1980s.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51- It fell into disrepair and it has just been brought back to life.- Wow!
0:17:51 > 0:17:55- It is immaculate. It's beautiful. - A lot of hard work gone in there!
0:17:55 > 0:17:58- Are we ready to have a look inside? - That would be great.- OK.
0:17:59 > 0:18:04When John and Pen bought this detached Grade 2 listed farmhouse in Shropshire,
0:18:04 > 0:18:09it had been standing empty for four years.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12We fell in love with the area and when we drove around the corner
0:18:12 > 0:18:16into the most amazing village and saw the house it was like, oh my God!
0:18:16 > 0:18:18Both of us grabbed each other.
0:18:18 > 0:18:23We're not too sure what it was about the house but it appealed to us.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25Despite its dilapidated condition,
0:18:25 > 0:18:30John and Pen could spot its enormous charm and potential.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33It was a mess but it had a nice feel to it.
0:18:33 > 0:18:38It's about whether you feel you can fit into that property and live in it.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41The farmhouse had been divided in two
0:18:41 > 0:18:45and they spent the last 11 months making it whole again
0:18:45 > 0:18:48and fully renovating the entire building.
0:18:48 > 0:18:53You're sort of restoring part of Britain's heritage. You can take great pride in that.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58Right, so Pen and John,
0:18:58 > 0:19:02tell Brian and Marianne what it has been like.
0:19:02 > 0:19:07You have just been through this renovation. How tough has it been?
0:19:07 > 0:19:10It has been hard work. It has been 11 months of really hard graft.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13But, as you can see, the results have made it well worth it.
0:19:13 > 0:19:18I think what you have to realise is, it might look really dreadful to start with,
0:19:18 > 0:19:22but there is light at the end of the tunnel and you will end up with a fantastic home.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24How bad was it?
0:19:24 > 0:19:28These guys are dealing with a shell. How basic was it for you?
0:19:28 > 0:19:32As an example, behind you, under that dining room table,
0:19:32 > 0:19:36we basically had to completely remove all of the floor joists because they were rotten
0:19:36 > 0:19:38and you could see from the bedroom above,
0:19:38 > 0:19:40all the way down to the cellars.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44At that point, your heart sinks and you think, is this ever going to end?
0:19:44 > 0:19:48- How much worse can it get?- Where did you live while this was happening?
0:19:48 > 0:19:50We actually lived in the house.
0:19:50 > 0:19:55So we moved around the house as the work was done.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59- We had four temporary kitchens.- It was in here for about three months.
0:19:59 > 0:20:04If you're thinking about living through the build, it is very hard both emotionally and physically.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08If you've got young children, I would seriously consider renting somewhere,
0:20:08 > 0:20:10rather than living through it.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13When you started out, did you have a timeline in mind?
0:20:13 > 0:20:16When we bought the house, it was, right, this will be a 12-month project.
0:20:16 > 0:20:21It is very important to have a plan and know what goals you're aiming for
0:20:21 > 0:20:24because if you don't have that, it will never happen.
0:20:24 > 0:20:29Guys, we'd love to look around the rest of the house so lead the way.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33Downstairs, John and Pen have created three reception rooms,
0:20:33 > 0:20:38a dining room with adjoining drinks room and a spacious kitchen diner.
0:20:40 > 0:20:45Upstairs, there are six stunning bedrooms and five bathrooms.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53- So, you've exposed some bricks in the corner?- We have.- A chimney?
0:20:53 > 0:20:55Yes, that's a chimney.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57This was a loo.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00When we came in, this was small, narrow, dark, horrid.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03So we took it out, exposed the brickwork
0:21:03 > 0:21:06and created a much more characterful room, we think.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10- It's great, isn't it?- After you.
0:21:10 > 0:21:15John and Pen have made design features out of the many stone chimneys in their farmhouse -
0:21:15 > 0:21:20a trick which Brian and Marianne could usefully employ in their conversion.
0:21:20 > 0:21:25Guys, this is a stunning kitchen. What do you make of it?
0:21:25 > 0:21:26Really impressive.
0:21:26 > 0:21:31One of the key parallels between your two properties is just chimneys everywhere.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33- Were they structurally sound?- No.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35We knew they were a mess when we came in.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38You could see there was water dripping down the outsides.
0:21:38 > 0:21:43What paint there was had bubbled and cracked, so we knew that we had big issues.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47If a chimney falls, it's extremely dangerous - it could take out half your house or even kill someone.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50How did you make them safe?
0:21:50 > 0:21:53We got the scaffolding straight up and got it all stabilised.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55That's one of the first things.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59Does this help? You have chimneys at each end of your kitchen.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03Seeing something opened up, is it something you'd consider?
0:22:03 > 0:22:06Yes, and looking at the photos of what it used to be like
0:22:06 > 0:22:09and that is pretty much our place - how this used to be.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12This is very effectively what we are looking for.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15Even though this house is bigger,
0:22:15 > 0:22:18you'll still have the same number of decisions to make.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20You'll have the same number of paint choices to make,
0:22:20 > 0:22:25structural decisions to make that we had here.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29- I'm looking forward to just having to choose paint!- Can you imagine!
0:22:29 > 0:22:32Thank you so much. It has been such a privilege looking round
0:22:32 > 0:22:35and I really hope it's given you a bit of inspiration
0:22:35 > 0:22:38and encouragement as well that you can get to this stage.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42It has given us some really nice insight into how homely
0:22:42 > 0:22:44you can make a complete wreck.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47- Pen and John, thank you so much. - Nice to meet you.
0:22:47 > 0:22:52I'll be catching up with Brian and Marianne later to find out their thoughts on Pen and John's home
0:22:52 > 0:22:56and to see whether they can take away any useful tips
0:22:56 > 0:22:58to employ on their own building.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05Back in Margate, empty property officer Mike Thomson
0:23:05 > 0:23:08has been called in to investigate a bit of a mystery.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12A deserted mid-terraced house may be causing its neighbours distress.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15Water has been pouring into the communal hallway
0:23:15 > 0:23:19of the house next door, leaving extensive damage.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24Mike's visiting the scene with his trainee, Andy,
0:23:24 > 0:23:27to work out if the property is indeed the root of the problem.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30- I don't think that was broken last time I came, do you?- No.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33That's the trouble, isn't it? Long-term empty,
0:23:33 > 0:23:36one window goes, two windows go,
0:23:36 > 0:23:39third window goes and it's progressive.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41- It becomes a target.- It does.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45- I'm amazed people can afford to have something like this sitting here doing nothing.- Yes.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49- Why should it look like that in the street scene?- Exactly.
0:23:49 > 0:23:55At first sight, Mike things the leak may be the result of blocked gutters on the empty building.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59- What do you reckon about the gutters?- It's blocked across both properties.- Absolutely.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03Weeds growing out of it. It is chock-a-block with rubbish.
0:24:03 > 0:24:08Then we've got problems with the roof. A lot of slates off. You can see them on the gable.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10Yes, big holes right the way through.
0:24:10 > 0:24:16They hope the managing agent of the neighbouring property will be able to shed some light on the mystery.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19This is the problem just here.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22- Let us put the damp meter on and see what we get.- OK.
0:24:22 > 0:24:27If Mike finds the damp problem is being caused by the empty property,
0:24:27 > 0:24:30he can track down the owners and force them to have it fixed.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34Not necessarily what you'd expect because it's not in an area
0:24:34 > 0:24:38- which we would tie in with anything we thought. - Not on the externals.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42But the managing agent thinks he may have worked out the problem.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45The property next door was broken into
0:24:45 > 0:24:48and they stole the copper pipes with the water on
0:24:48 > 0:24:53- and I think that is what has caused the dampness to come through.- Yep.
0:24:55 > 0:24:56Not only are empty properties
0:24:56 > 0:25:00a magnet for damp, vermin and anti-social behaviour,
0:25:00 > 0:25:03they are increasingly being targeted by copper thieves,
0:25:03 > 0:25:08as scrap metal prices soar on the black market.
0:25:08 > 0:25:13This can result in leaks and other costly problems.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17We've got to get to the office, urgent communications with the owners next door,
0:25:17 > 0:25:21make sure we can get inside, have a look at the way the water has been cut off
0:25:21 > 0:25:24and make sure it has been done properly.
0:25:24 > 0:25:29We'll probably take the opportunity to engage with them about the condition of next door anyway.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31That's super. Thank you very much.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33A pleasure. Another successful day at the office!
0:25:33 > 0:25:35It certainly is, Mike.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39Mike has now got hold of the owner
0:25:39 > 0:25:42who is taking steps to resolve the problem.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48Back in Shropshire, Brian and Marianne have been visiting
0:25:48 > 0:25:51a high-end renovation of a Georgian farmhouse
0:25:51 > 0:25:55to glean some practical advice on how to renovate their own home.
0:25:55 > 0:26:00I think they've been suitably inspired.
0:26:00 > 0:26:06- Having been here and seen this, how do you feel about it?- We'll take it!
0:26:06 > 0:26:12It gives us some real inspiration that someone can do such a great job.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15I'm aware they've had a lot of subcontractors working on the project
0:26:15 > 0:26:18and perhaps ours will take a bit longer.
0:26:18 > 0:26:23It's encouraging that someone has dealt with the same structural problems we're dealing with,
0:26:23 > 0:26:26- and yet they got through it in a short amount of time.- Yes.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28So that's really helpful.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30This is a really top-end scale
0:26:30 > 0:26:33but it's inspiring and it gives us something to aim for.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39It takes real vision to see the potential in what is effectively a wreck.
0:26:39 > 0:26:44Clearly, Brian and Marianne have the passion and, hopefully,
0:26:44 > 0:26:49today they picked up some useful tips to help them on their way.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53It is definitely going to be challenging for them,
0:26:53 > 0:26:56but turning a piece of history into a family home
0:26:56 > 0:26:58is what it's all about.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd 2012
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