0:00:03 > 0:00:08Across the country, empty properties that could be homes are waiting to be put back into use.
0:00:08 > 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
0:00:21 > 0:00:24both reinventing and preserving Britain's empty homes.
0:00:32 > 0:00:37Taking on a property that's uninhabited and unloved can be a daunting prospect.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40But if you can see past the abandoned, forlorn facade,
0:00:40 > 0:00:45and you're prepared to put the work in, you could not just bring a home back to life,
0:00:45 > 0:00:50but you could also end up with the house of your dreams.
0:00:53 > 0:00:58On today's show, I meet a couple from Sheffield
0:00:58 > 0:01:01planning a move to the country and their first ever renovation.
0:01:01 > 0:01:06- It's just a bit of a low ceiling. - Yeah. We're not too tall, are we?!
0:01:06 > 0:01:11I'll be visiting a project trying to save a piece of British maritime history...
0:01:11 > 0:01:14This is incredible. What a space!
0:01:14 > 0:01:18And we'll be meeting one of the UK's empty property officers,
0:01:18 > 0:01:21dedicated to rescuing Britain's forgotten homes.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23It ranks as one of the worst I've seen.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25And that's in 20 years of doing this job.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34Kay and Lee Hudson have had enough of city life in Sheffield,
0:01:34 > 0:01:39so they plan to move to the country with their three children.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43The girls would absolutely love to be in the countryside.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46We've talked to them about it, they were just, "Yeah!".
0:01:46 > 0:01:50- They just went for it straight away, didn't they?- "When? When can we go?"
0:01:50 > 0:01:55Our dream house would be plenty of space around for the kids to play,
0:01:55 > 0:02:00and we would like to do a bit of gardening and growing our own veg.
0:02:00 > 0:02:01So having a bit of space to do that
0:02:01 > 0:02:04- and maybe some chickens. - Yeah, chickens and ducks, maybe.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08With a total budget of around £230,000,
0:02:08 > 0:02:12their dream of a farmhouse would normally be out of reach.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14So they're looking for a renovation project.
0:02:14 > 0:02:19Lee is a dab hand at DIY and plans to do a lot of the work himself.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23I'm an optimist and an enabler.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26I'll look at what I can do and if I can't do it, I'll get help.
0:02:30 > 0:02:35Later I'll be taking Kay and Lee to see a finished renovation.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39First, I'm in Retford, to help them work out how ambitious they want to be.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43I'm taking them to an example of a pretty run down empty building
0:02:43 > 0:02:47to see if it excites them, or if it makes them want to run a mile.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50This is 19th-century, originally a pig barn.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53Converted about 40 years ago.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56You are near some very open countryside and importantly,
0:02:56 > 0:03:01there is an acre of land at the back of this as well.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04This is an exercise in seeing an empty property.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06I'm not trying to sell it, it's about ideas, inspiration,
0:03:06 > 0:03:09and seeing if you guys, with my help,
0:03:09 > 0:03:11can visualise what an empty property can become.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13- Are you up for it?- Yes. Great.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15Come on, then. Let's have a look inside.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19Since being a pig farm, the building has been used as a tea room, a bed and breakfast,
0:03:19 > 0:03:22and a spiritualist chapel.
0:03:22 > 0:03:29It's on the market for £115,000, so well within Lee and Kay's budget.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33So, I guess this would be a kind of living room, reception room.
0:03:33 > 0:03:40The current owners, the ideas they came up with was to knock down this wall, going through there,
0:03:40 > 0:03:43and knock down a wall that way,
0:03:43 > 0:03:47so you get this great big L-shaped open kitchen-diner,
0:03:47 > 0:03:51- which I think is something you're quite keen on?- Yes, yes.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55- It's just a bit of a low ceiling. - Yeah, we're not too tall, are we?!
0:03:57 > 0:04:00- Here is what would I suppose be the kitchen.- OK.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06You said, oh, very low ceiling height in that room.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09- Here, it's a lot lighter. - It's the opposite.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13What's your kitchen like where you are?
0:04:13 > 0:04:17It's fairly small. We can't have two of us in at the same time, can we?
0:04:17 > 0:04:20This would be a lot bigger. And if that wall is knocked through,
0:04:20 > 0:04:24you can both be in here and you can have the kids playing in the living room.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27- It's definitely a better fit, isn't it?- Yes.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30There is a surprise we can see through the window.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34- I suggest we go around to it and have a look, OK?- OK, yes.- OK.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40The main building has been extended both to the side and the rear,
0:04:40 > 0:04:42which gives the couple more space to play with.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46- Oh, wow!- Wow!
0:04:46 > 0:04:51- Can you tell what it was? - Going for a swimming pool, are they?
0:04:51 > 0:04:54- Yeah, it was a swimming pool. - Really?
0:04:54 > 0:04:58I think it's no longer a pool! This is where we need a bit of vision,
0:04:58 > 0:05:02because there is planning permission to extend, have a proper extension.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05You've got two bedrooms in the main building
0:05:05 > 0:05:09but you could certainly have another one and a bathroom as well, on top.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12- It's a big space.- It's almost as big as the actual place, isn't it?
0:05:12 > 0:05:16Bringing Kay and Lee here is all about getting them
0:05:16 > 0:05:18to visualise the potential of an empty home.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22So, here we have a bit of a bonus space.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24Bit of a treat, just tucked away.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28It's quite long, actually. We've got this room here,
0:05:28 > 0:05:30a similar length through the door,
0:05:30 > 0:05:32so you've got a long space to work with.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35I guess the idea is, whether it's a bedroom or a snug,
0:05:35 > 0:05:39it can basically be somewhere away from the main hubbub of family life.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44So, another option, just to add to the list of options with the building.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48Could be a good space. Like you say, a snug. I could imagine that, yes.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54So, having looked round, what do you think?
0:05:54 > 0:05:57It's got lots of potential. I like the fact there's options
0:05:57 > 0:06:00and nothing's set in stone about what you put where.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04The pit in the back, and the conservatory,
0:06:04 > 0:06:06there's a lot of work there.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10So maybe a bridge, or a pool, too far?!
0:06:10 > 0:06:12It's something to sit and think about.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14What are you feeling, Kay?
0:06:14 > 0:06:18I'm not the expert with the building work and things like that,
0:06:18 > 0:06:21so it's hard for me to visualise it, you know.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24- I can see bits. - It looks hard work to you?- Yeah.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30Well, I really like these two.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33Lee has some experience of building, getting hands-on,
0:06:33 > 0:06:36and you can see he's thinking through the space
0:06:36 > 0:06:38and visualising what it can be.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41Kay, I think, finds that side a bit more difficult.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43She's quite daunted by this project.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47So I hope the building we're going to take them to see later
0:06:47 > 0:06:51will help them both realise how you make the most
0:06:51 > 0:06:54of the potential of an empty property.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01You don't just find empty houses in the country.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04Everywhere you go, from the seaside to the city centre,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07streets are blighted with wasted homes.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10But up and down the country are teams of empty property officers
0:07:10 > 0:07:15working to give them a new lease of life.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Paul Palmer is the empty property officer
0:07:20 > 0:07:22for Corby and East Northants.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27I love properties, I love buildings, and I love people as well.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29So to be able to go along and see a problem
0:07:29 > 0:07:32that I can then personally do something about,
0:07:32 > 0:07:38work with an owner to see that property brought back into use, brings me total job satisfaction.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41In his 20 years on the job,
0:07:41 > 0:07:43he's saved 800 houses from dereliction
0:07:43 > 0:07:45and brought them back into use.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48There's one drawback to my job.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51That's the fact I never stop doing it!
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Whether I'm shopping, or I'm on holiday, even,
0:07:53 > 0:07:57I can't stop looking for empty properties. I find them everywhere!
0:08:04 > 0:08:07Paul is on his way to see an ex-council house that's been rescued.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11After inheriting the house,
0:08:11 > 0:08:15the current owner found himself in financial difficulties,
0:08:15 > 0:08:19unable to pay the mortgage, and the property lay empty for nine years.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24To help bring the building back into use again,
0:08:24 > 0:08:28Corby Council joined forces with a local developer
0:08:28 > 0:08:31to create a mortgage rescue scheme.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33And together, they paid off the owner's mortgage,
0:08:33 > 0:08:37and set aside funds for renovations, which are now well underway.
0:08:37 > 0:08:42The company we're working with will refurbish the property.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46They'll bring it up to a good standard for homeless tenants from our waiting list.
0:08:46 > 0:08:52The rent raised by the new tenants will go towards paying back the loan and the refurbishment.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56Today, Paul's come to meet the project manager to see how
0:08:56 > 0:09:00the grant money is being spent and how the work is coming along.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02So they've started already? Well in there.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05- Yeah, we've got lots of activity, lots of work going on.- Fantastic.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08- Let's go and have a look. - Lovely.- Follow me.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14So, the kitchen's gone, then. What's happening here?
0:09:14 > 0:09:18It wasn't fit for purpose, so we're putting a brand-new one in.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21It's going to be stunning. We'll have a new sink unit here,
0:09:21 > 0:09:25we're going to have plenty of cupboard space for them to share.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29As well as extending the kitchen, the plan is to revamp
0:09:29 > 0:09:33the four bedrooms upstairs and fit a brand-new bathroom.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35Under the grant, we allow for a new bathroom.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38Looks like we'll get one!
0:09:38 > 0:09:42The old one has been ripped out. It was the original from the 1960s.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46The aim is to finish the renovation in 10 days,
0:09:46 > 0:09:48as people are waiting for the house.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51- Jonathan, thanks a lot for showing me around.- Pleasure.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53I really enjoyed that.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56Not convinced you'll be finished in 10 days and up to spec!
0:09:56 > 0:10:00- So I will be back, OK?- Paul, it will be done, and done right.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03- Brilliant.- See you in 10 days. Thanks, Paul. Goodbye.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05I'm particularly pleased about this property
0:10:05 > 0:10:12because it has been empty for well over eight years and it originally was council property
0:10:12 > 0:10:16and it's going back to social housing. That's a nice result.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21If you're considering renovating an empty home
0:10:21 > 0:10:22and you're on a tight budget,
0:10:22 > 0:10:27seeing the potential in an empty wreck is the easy part.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29But if you're prepared take on a variety of roles,
0:10:29 > 0:10:33from interior designer to accountant and project manager,
0:10:33 > 0:10:36you could save yourself a fair bit of cash.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39If you can get all these roles working together,
0:10:39 > 0:10:42you could create a home tailor-made from you.
0:10:45 > 0:10:51Six years ago, Paul and Linda made the ambitious decision to leave London
0:10:51 > 0:10:55for a disused 19th century granite watermill in Scotland.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58They plan to turn it into a unique home
0:10:58 > 0:11:01with stunning views of the Scottish Cairngorms.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04It sat beautifully in its environment.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07It just looks terrific where it is.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10We loved the stone.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14There's something really uplifting about beautifully crafted stone
0:11:14 > 0:11:16and this building had all of that.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23We fell in love with it straight away. All of it.
0:11:23 > 0:11:29The building ceased to be a working watermill in the 1940s
0:11:29 > 0:11:32and after a brief incarnation as a farm outbuilding,
0:11:32 > 0:11:34it lay empty for 70 years.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37The roof itself was leaking.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41There were no doors, as such, on the outside.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45There was rot in the woodwork. It was a mess, basically.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50When it was discovered that ivy had infiltrated
0:11:50 > 0:11:52the 18 inch granite walls,
0:11:52 > 0:11:55the renovation fast became more of a complete rebuild.
0:11:55 > 0:12:00We had to take the walls down, front and back of the property completely.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04At that juncture, we had the unenviable state
0:12:04 > 0:12:07of finding ourselves with two gable ends
0:12:07 > 0:12:09and nothing much in the middle.
0:12:09 > 0:12:14- Daylight in between!- We'd spent a lot of money and you think, "Wow!"
0:12:18 > 0:12:22The couple bought the mill for £175,000
0:12:22 > 0:12:26and spent another £475,000 on extensive renovations,
0:12:26 > 0:12:29which took a total of nine months to complete.
0:12:37 > 0:12:42Paul and Linda were keen to reflect the building's industrial past when designing its future.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45They reinstated an authentic mill wheel
0:12:45 > 0:12:48and used oak, steel and granite
0:12:48 > 0:12:50in the striking modern interior.
0:12:50 > 0:12:55I think the idea of taking a building that really was sad
0:12:55 > 0:12:58and you knew you could do things with it,
0:12:58 > 0:13:05and that's one of the most rewarding and creative things we've done.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09We were at an age where we were not going to do this twice.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13This is the one-off task we're going to undertake. What the heck!
0:13:13 > 0:13:16We'll give it a go and we'll have what we want.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19If we can't do it now, when ever can we do it?
0:13:22 > 0:13:28Our bedroom upstairs with that fantastic slanting window,
0:13:28 > 0:13:32we can lie in bed on winter nights and spot all the stars.
0:13:34 > 0:13:39We can live in this, knowing exactly how it was put together
0:13:39 > 0:13:43and the various bespoke features that make it very much
0:13:43 > 0:13:46our particular individual home.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56I've come to the historical Sheerness Dockyard
0:13:56 > 0:13:59on the Isle of Sheppey,
0:13:59 > 0:14:05where the largest group of vacant Grade II listed domestic buildings in the south of England
0:14:05 > 0:14:09look like they're finally on track for a full scale renovation.
0:14:13 > 0:14:18Sheerness Dockyard has a rich and varied naval history.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21In the 17th century, it was the central hub
0:14:21 > 0:14:23for the Royal Navy's warships
0:14:23 > 0:14:26and it remained a working naval dock
0:14:26 > 0:14:30till the 1960s, when it was bought and run as a commercial harbour.
0:14:31 > 0:14:36With such a wealth of history, it's no wonder people are passionate
0:14:36 > 0:14:38about regenerating this area,
0:14:38 > 0:14:42but with 11 Grade II and Grade II* listed buildings,
0:14:42 > 0:14:48including a Regency terrace, an old police house, even a mansion,
0:14:48 > 0:14:51this is a project on a massive scale.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57But that hasn't deterred Will Palin and his colleagues.
0:14:57 > 0:15:02Will's the secretary of Save Britain's Heritage and has been
0:15:02 > 0:15:05at the forefront of the battle to save Sheerness Docks
0:15:05 > 0:15:09and restore the area to the vibrant community it once was.
0:15:09 > 0:15:14What's the situation with these amazing 1820s buildings here?
0:15:14 > 0:15:16- Are they safe?- Yes, they are safe.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18But they haven't always been safe.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21Most of the buildings on this site
0:15:21 > 0:15:24were on the English Heritage at risk register for many years.
0:15:24 > 0:15:29It wasn't until earlier this year that that decline has been reversed
0:15:29 > 0:15:34and you can see and hear the signs of repair and renovation going on.
0:15:34 > 0:15:35Work's under way.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38At one point, a developer owned it. What was the plan?
0:15:38 > 0:15:41Was he going to knock them down or develop around them?
0:15:41 > 0:15:45He was going to build a lot of new developments on the site.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47We thought that was very damaging
0:15:47 > 0:15:50and a lot of other people thought the same
0:15:50 > 0:15:52because this is a very special,
0:15:52 > 0:15:55carefully conceived Georgian residential quarter
0:15:55 > 0:15:59with walled gardens and a beautiful landscape,
0:15:59 > 0:16:05so we didn't feel this kind of level of new build was the right solution.
0:16:05 > 0:16:10- Can we have a look inside one of the properties?- I'd be delighted to show you.- Lead the way.
0:16:11 > 0:16:16Funding from the Spitalfields Trust meant that all of the buildings
0:16:16 > 0:16:18could be bought and protected,
0:16:18 > 0:16:20but buyers are bound to carry out
0:16:20 > 0:16:24any work needed in a style sympathetic to the area's heritage.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28This is incredible. What a space!
0:16:30 > 0:16:35How many original features have you had to work with?
0:16:35 > 0:16:38You're fitting in bits of skirting board and original shutters.
0:16:38 > 0:16:43A lot of the joinery survived, but sadly not many of the chimney pieces.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46But there's probably a lot more than you'd find in a terraced house
0:16:46 > 0:16:52in a city or town that had more owners and changes in its history.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59This must be a figurehead success for the campaign,
0:16:59 > 0:17:02that you could save a site like this.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06The crucial thing was we had very strong local support.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10The people of Sheerness are very proud of what they have here.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14They feel it's been neglected and shut up for too long.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18People are coming here and thinking, "My goodness! What a place! What an oasis!"
0:17:18 > 0:17:24- This is going to be quite some development.- I hope so, yeah.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31This isn't just about preserving this British history,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34it's also about regenerating the area.
0:17:34 > 0:17:40It's a great example of what organisations like Save Britain's Heritage can campaign for.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42And it's so encouraging.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44It just shows there is a way forward
0:17:44 > 0:17:49for derelict buildings of historical importance throughout the UK.
0:17:52 > 0:17:57Earlier, I took Lee and Kay Hudson round an empty farm building
0:17:57 > 0:18:01to help them visualise the potential an empty property can offer.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05Now I'm taking them to meet a couple who've done the hard work
0:18:05 > 0:18:06and realised the dream
0:18:06 > 0:18:12by turning a once-derelict barn into their forever home.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15Steve and Tracy featured on our last series,
0:18:15 > 0:18:17at the beginning of their renovation.
0:18:17 > 0:18:22It had been their lifelong ambition to convert a barn,
0:18:22 > 0:18:25and when, in 2010, they saw a trio of derelict barns in rural Lincolnshire,
0:18:25 > 0:18:27it was love at first sight.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35Now, after eight long months of hard graft,
0:18:35 > 0:18:37the couple have created a stunning home.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43Our original plans changed quite dramatically.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46We were going to be doing the big barn first,
0:18:46 > 0:18:49and concentrating on this side of things later on.
0:18:49 > 0:18:54But when we thought about it, we realised that this would be able
0:18:54 > 0:19:00to provide us with more accommodation with the budget that we had.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04Steve and Tracy ambitiously converted both the cart shed
0:19:04 > 0:19:07and adjoining buildings to create a modern, open-plan family space.
0:19:12 > 0:19:17It gives me a sense of pride, really, to say that actually, yes,
0:19:17 > 0:19:21this was something we managed to achieve together.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24And country life couldn't be better.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27It's lovely having the goats in the garden,
0:19:27 > 0:19:29having all the wildlife around us.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31It is beautiful.
0:19:34 > 0:19:39- Hi, guys, how are you?- Very well, thank you.- Steve, Tracy, Kay, Lee.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41- ALL: Hello!- Now, this place.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45- Am I right in thinking this building hasn't been touched yet?- No.
0:19:45 > 0:19:51The original plan was to do the big barn, and as yet we've not done anything with it.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54We concentrated to get into the place first,
0:19:54 > 0:20:00and then we'll progress the driveway, the barn and the conservatory.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03So really planning in stages and prioritising what you can do
0:20:03 > 0:20:07to start living comfortably, then tackle the rest of it is key advice?
0:20:07 > 0:20:11- Without a doubt.- Does that make sense to you? Breaking it down and doing it in stages?
0:20:11 > 0:20:17- Yeah, if you see something and loads needs doing to it...- It's scary!
0:20:17 > 0:20:21Yeah, it's a bit scary. If you can think of doing it a bit at a time...
0:20:21 > 0:20:25Anything is possible! It looks incredible.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29Let's go inside. I'm very curious. Lead the way.
0:20:33 > 0:20:38- It's amazing!- Fantastic.- I couldn't imagine a more spacious feel.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42It's just lovely. And the idea you could have all three rooms together,
0:20:42 > 0:20:48your dining area, your kitchen and lounge space, it's just wonderful.
0:20:48 > 0:20:53So what was the price of the barn in the first place? What was the cost?
0:20:53 > 0:20:56We paid 145,000 for the property.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00And what was your budget? What do you do a project like this on?
0:21:00 > 0:21:04The entire budget ended up being just under the 100,000.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07I think that's very encouraging for what you've done,
0:21:07 > 0:21:11and it's not a million miles away from what you're talking about.
0:21:11 > 0:21:12How does that make you feel?
0:21:12 > 0:21:16I feel a lot better that we could probably do it within our budget.
0:21:18 > 0:21:23- Look, it's incredible in here. But there's a bit more to see, isn't there?- Yeah.- Lead us on, then.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27'As well as having this large, open-plan space,'
0:21:27 > 0:21:31the barn now has two bathrooms and three characterful bedrooms.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37- It is fair to say you've made this your own.- Yes.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40You've even got a fish tank between you and your ensuite!
0:21:43 > 0:21:47You don't seem to regret anything you've done here.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50Oh, no, not at all. It's been fantastic.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54A much more peaceful place for Luke to be brought up.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58- Much more relaxed living. - That's what you're after, isn't it?
0:21:58 > 0:22:00- A relaxed family home. - Yeah, that's music to my ears.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02Guys, thank you for showing us round.
0:22:02 > 0:22:07I'm so pleased it's worked out as well as it has.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20Back in Northamptonshire, Empty Property Officer Paul Palmer
0:22:20 > 0:22:23is visiting a severely dilapidated house.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25It's been empty for three years,
0:22:25 > 0:22:28since the owner found it too much to manage.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31After complaints from the neighbours,
0:22:31 > 0:22:36the council contacted the owner, who've been trying to sell it.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38Paul's checking its condition.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44I can't see an estate agent's board. Wow!
0:22:46 > 0:22:47That's the way in.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51Not exactly had hordes of people going to view it, has it?
0:22:52 > 0:22:55This isn't what Paul would normally expect to see
0:22:55 > 0:22:56when a property is on the market.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01His first job is to check the exterior of the house
0:23:01 > 0:23:03for signs of deterioration
0:23:03 > 0:23:05and possible points of break-ins.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09This has clearly been broken at some stage.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13And this is now a major concern
0:23:13 > 0:23:17because this property is clearly unsecure.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21Following rat sightings around the house, Paul has called in
0:23:21 > 0:23:23pest control officer Angela McNeill
0:23:23 > 0:23:29and they've been granted a notice of entry by the council, to inspect the building from the inside.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31Oh, my goodness, look at this.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33Look at the state of this place.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36- It's rotten.- Look at that!
0:23:36 > 0:23:41- Half of this floor's gone. - It certainly has.
0:23:41 > 0:23:47- It's just crumbling.- My goodness. - Oh, my goodness!
0:23:49 > 0:23:54The house isn't secure and has been a target for thieves and vandals.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57There's definitely a rat population in this building.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01I can imagine there is some nesting going on in this property,
0:24:01 > 0:24:04where they'll be mostly undisturbed.
0:24:08 > 0:24:13This is the worst property that I've ever been in.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19I would say it ranks as one of the worst I've seen,
0:24:19 > 0:24:22and that's in 20 years of doing this job.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28With a large rat infestation confirmed, Angela's first job
0:24:28 > 0:24:32is to place secure bait boxes around the house and garden.
0:24:33 > 0:24:37She'll return in a few days' time to analyse the amount of rodent activity,
0:24:37 > 0:24:40and decide on a plan of extermination.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47Meanwhile, Paul continues his investigation outside.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51This garden still goes even further down this hill.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54The extremely overgrown garden is a big concern
0:24:54 > 0:24:56but there is one positive.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00Just look at that view. It's fantastic!
0:25:02 > 0:25:06It's a real waste, you know? Some people would love to have it.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10Having completed his investigation,
0:25:10 > 0:25:12Paul has to decide on the best plan of action
0:25:12 > 0:25:15to make the house safe, secure and habitable again.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19I'm starting to lean more towards a compulsory purchase order -
0:25:19 > 0:25:23that's literally where we get an order to take possession of the property.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26I think that's the best solution for everybody.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29But a CPO is always a last resort.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33And since Paul's visit, the owner has been in touch,
0:25:33 > 0:25:38and plans are being made to clear the house and get it on the market.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42Back in Lincolnshire, Lee and Kay Hudson
0:25:42 > 0:25:45have been looking around a converted barn to help them work out
0:25:45 > 0:25:51whether taking on an empty building could be the way forward for them.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54It's quite a place. Tell me your thoughts.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58I think it's fantastic. It's brilliant what they've done,
0:25:58 > 0:26:00and the budget they've done it on is just amazing.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03It has really inspired me.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05I was scared of this kind of thing
0:26:05 > 0:26:08and now it's like, "Yeah, we could do it."
0:26:08 > 0:26:12There's places like that out there, in the areas we want to move to.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15It's just finding them and having the patience to find them,
0:26:15 > 0:26:20but also knowing that you don't need to have a really massive budget
0:26:20 > 0:26:23to convert the place and make it liveable and lovely, like that place.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26You don't sound like you have too many doubts that this is for you,
0:26:26 > 0:26:29that the empty property is the way forward?
0:26:29 > 0:26:33- I think so. - I'm delighted to hear that, guys.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39It's great that Kay and Lee could come here today.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42This place is such a good example for a number of reasons.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45First of all, it used to be nothing like this.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49It shows how you can mould and shape a place
0:26:49 > 0:26:52to fit what you really want.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56I just know, with Kay and Lee's enthusiasm, and with Lee's skills,
0:26:56 > 0:27:00that whether they take on the pig barn or not,
0:27:00 > 0:27:04they will be able to turn an empty property into their dream home.
0:27:11 > 0:27:16Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:27:16 > 0:27:22E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk