0:00:02 > 0:00:06Across the country, empty buildings that could be homes
0:00:06 > 0:00:10are just waiting to be brought back into use.
0:00:10 > 0:00:11I'll be finding out why
0:00:11 > 0:00:14and what you need to do to rescue a house for yourself.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17Along the way, I'll be doing digging of my own to find out
0:00:17 > 0:00:21more about our housing stock, our heritage and why we should
0:00:21 > 0:00:24be both reinventing and preserving Britain's Empty Homes.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33Rescuing an empty property can be incredibly worthwhile
0:00:33 > 0:00:36and it doesn't just benefit the local community.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39Now, whether you're moving for a job, for more space or to be nearer
0:00:39 > 0:00:43to a school, renovating an empty property can be a great way of
0:00:43 > 0:00:48creating a home in an area you might otherwise not be able to afford.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52Today, I'll be meeting a couple who are feeling a little overwhelmed
0:00:52 > 0:00:55by the project they've taken on.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57A scary moment when we thought, "What have we done?"
0:00:57 > 0:01:01You're good at geeing each other up?
0:01:01 > 0:01:05We'll also meet people who've successfully transformed empty homes
0:01:05 > 0:01:07when all the odds were against them.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10We had all our friends round for dinner and they all thought
0:01:10 > 0:01:12we were completely mad. They hated it.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16We'll be following the property detectives who help breathe
0:01:16 > 0:01:19new life into derelict dwellings.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22When I see a new empty property, of course I'm interested to know
0:01:22 > 0:01:24why it's empty, what position the owner's in
0:01:24 > 0:01:27and what we can do to help them.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30When Karen Dimmock and Jeremy Wilson bought
0:01:30 > 0:01:32this run-down three-bed terrace house
0:01:32 > 0:01:35in Hampton Hill, Richmond-Upon-Thames,
0:01:35 > 0:01:38it had been lying empty for four months.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41It's damp, it's old and needs an awful lot of tender loving care.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44Their eldest son Luke had been offered a place at a local school.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47We had to make the decision between having a much nicer house
0:01:47 > 0:01:50and educating him, and in the end we decided that education
0:01:50 > 0:01:52was more of a priority for us.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54To afford a house in this affluent area,
0:01:54 > 0:01:58their only choice was to take on a wreck.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02So they bought their Victorian terrace for £369,000.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06Renovation novices Karen and Jeremy had a build budget of £100,000,
0:02:06 > 0:02:10but after they purchased the property, they uncovered
0:02:10 > 0:02:11some serious structural problems.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15We knew there were issues but not quite the scale of the issues.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18Everything has to be done. Garden, every room in the house.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20Every surface needs some kind of attention.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24I'm slightly terrified that we'll run out of money, if I'm honest,
0:02:24 > 0:02:26and not be able to get to the result.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28Later, I'll be sending Karen and Jeremy
0:02:28 > 0:02:31to meet a couple who had similar setbacks
0:02:31 > 0:02:36but are now enjoying life in their state-of-the-art family home.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38First, I'm meeting up with Karen
0:02:38 > 0:02:41and Jeremy to find out more about their problem property.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47Hi, guys, I'm Joe. Jeremy? Hello, Karen. How are you doing?
0:02:47 > 0:02:51- Very well, thanks.- Good. This is your new place.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54First of all, why here? Why did you choose this house?
0:02:54 > 0:02:57The location, really. We wanted to be close to our son's school
0:02:57 > 0:03:00and we didn't want him to live a commuter lifestyle.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03Although it was much cheaper than anywhere else we looked,
0:03:03 > 0:03:05we'd have the budget to do what we wanted.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09Very exciting plans, shall we have a look inside?
0:03:09 > 0:03:13The structural problems here are so serious that Karen and Jeremy
0:03:13 > 0:03:15haven't yet been able to move their family in.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19Clearly, you've come in and decided to get started by stripping
0:03:19 > 0:03:22- everything back, have you? - Absolutely.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25The wallpaper here was 1950s Anaglypta with a thin underlay
0:03:25 > 0:03:29of polystyrene which actually was keeping damp in.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32It was actually sweating the house and they had
0:03:32 > 0:03:35replacement double-glazed windows and in a Victorian house
0:03:35 > 0:03:38- it doesn't allow it to breathe. - We brought the surveyor in
0:03:38 > 0:03:41and he held his damp meter up on to this chimney breast and went,
0:03:41 > 0:03:44"I've never seen my damp meter go off the scale before"
0:03:44 > 0:03:46That was the scary moment when we thought,
0:03:46 > 0:03:50- "What have we done here?"- He could just tell it was almost saturated.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54- It was much worse than the original survey.- That's one surprise.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57Anything else not come through on the survey?
0:03:57 > 0:04:01We've got a 30mm drop from one corner of the room to the other.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04You can see it, can't you? Standing here, it seems to slope down
0:04:04 > 0:04:07- towards that corner. - We were aware of that. It's obvious
0:04:07 > 0:04:10when you walk in the door that there's subsidence but I think
0:04:10 > 0:04:14we thought we'll be able to unpin, make this good relatively easily.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18Karen and Jeremy have a dilemma on their hands.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22Ideally, they'd like to build a loft extension but to do that,
0:04:22 > 0:04:26they'll need to shore up all the subsiding walls with steel joists,
0:04:26 > 0:04:28and that won't come cheap, and will impact
0:04:28 > 0:04:31on all the finances for the rest of the renovation.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35In order to get the loft in there, we'd have to put structural steels
0:04:35 > 0:04:38in this wall and another steel across here.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41- OK.- All of which adds hugely to the cost of any conversion.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43We thought we had a healthy budget
0:04:43 > 0:04:45which was why we took the house on in the first place.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48It was far and away the cheapest properly we looked at
0:04:48 > 0:04:51and we figured if we had enough money to spend, we could
0:04:51 > 0:04:54make it good, but it increasingly looks as though the money
0:04:54 > 0:04:57we've put aside isn't going to be enough.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00- It comes back to budget again.- It does. You look at a house like this
0:05:00 > 0:05:02and think of course we can do a loft conversion.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05There's loads of Victorian properties with loft conversions,
0:05:05 > 0:05:09but this particular property with its structural issues,
0:05:09 > 0:05:13- it's much more complex.- You're good at geeing each other up?
0:05:13 > 0:05:14We'll have to be.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17I'm a perpetual optimist and Karen's a perpetual pessimist.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20- Shall we head back downstairs? - Let's go.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24On a positive note, the couple have already obtained
0:05:24 > 0:05:27planning permission to extend the kitchen.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29This is going to be the wow factor room.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32We are going to take down these two walls
0:05:32 > 0:05:35and extend out into the side-return.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37We're also going to go four metres out into the back garden
0:05:37 > 0:05:40and have a wall of conservatory-style windows.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44Obviously, it's a classic use of space in a Victorian terrace.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46Enlarging the footprint. You'll have
0:05:46 > 0:05:48a great kitchen here and you're blessed with
0:05:48 > 0:05:51all that light coming in being south-facing. That's brilliant.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55It sounds like the kitchen could be an amazing addition to the house,
0:05:55 > 0:05:58but I'm still concerned about all the structural issues.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01Stay focused. There are big problems here but
0:06:01 > 0:06:04they're not insurmountable if you do the right things.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07We've arranged for you to see a family later on.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11They've had a similar sized project which also had a few surprises,
0:06:11 > 0:06:14so I think it's going to be crucial that you meet them
0:06:14 > 0:06:16and they'll have some great advice for you.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19Be honest, ask questions. There's a lot you can learn.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21- Will we head back through?- OK.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26Jeremy and Karen have moved here to secure
0:06:26 > 0:06:28the right education for their children.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30That's something many parents can relate to,
0:06:30 > 0:06:34but in doing so, they've taken on a huge project.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38So many challenges and they don't really have any experience of this,
0:06:38 > 0:06:41so they're going to need a really clear vision to keep
0:06:41 > 0:06:44their head above water, to make their budget go as far
0:06:44 > 0:06:49as it possibly can, and in the end, turn this into their ideal home.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52Across Britain, there are many houses like Karen
0:06:52 > 0:06:56and Jeremy's, just waiting to be discovered and brought back to life.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00Local council empty property officers are constantly carrying out
0:07:00 > 0:07:03detective work on abandoned homes to bring them back into use.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07In Derbyshire, Sue Lee is the local empty property officer
0:07:07 > 0:07:11covering the area's 1,000 empty buildings.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13When I see a new empty property,
0:07:13 > 0:07:16of course I'm interested to know why it's empty,
0:07:16 > 0:07:19what position the owner's in and what we can do to help them.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23Her aim is to turn empty homes into affordable housing and help
0:07:23 > 0:07:26members of the local community to find a place to live.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29What I love about my job is it's more than the normal nine to five.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32You can make a difference to communities by transforming
0:07:32 > 0:07:35a derelict property into a home.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39Today, Sue has received complaints from neighbours about
0:07:39 > 0:07:42a vacant property and she's on her way to investigate.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45Residents suspect the owner has abandoned the property.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48One neighbour has complained of damp.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52Others are concerned about the potential for vermin harbourage.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55People are just concerned about it.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58Neighbours suspect that the house has been abandoned.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00If this is the case, it will be Sue's job
0:08:00 > 0:08:03to track down the owner and make sure the building is made safe.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11The reports that the owner's now abandoned the property
0:08:11 > 0:08:13are probably quite correct.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17It would be difficult to get to the front door here
0:08:17 > 0:08:19and access the property.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23Gosh, there's an incredible build-up of just mail.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30Round the back, things get even worse.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33Up there, we've got a window pane
0:08:33 > 0:08:35where the frame's come away at the bottom.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39I hope that doesn't actually slide down onto anybody.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42I did wonder if they only used the rear door
0:08:42 > 0:08:46but we've got quite a number of cobwebs down the door
0:08:46 > 0:08:50which suggests it hasn't been opened in some time.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53Neighbours have voiced concerns about rats
0:08:53 > 0:08:57and although Sue can't see any obvious signs of vermin,
0:08:57 > 0:08:59she's keen to prevent future problems.
0:08:59 > 0:09:04What I could really do with is getting our landscape team in there.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06Getting it cut back.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09That would remove any harbourage for vermin anyway.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12In the kitchen there's yet more evidence that
0:09:12 > 0:09:14the house hasn't been lived in for some time.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18I can see that there are lots of food items that have been left out.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23Pots just dumped in the sink and on the draining board.
0:09:26 > 0:09:27For the neighbours,
0:09:27 > 0:09:32having an empty home on the street can be extremely worrying.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36It's so sad to see a neglected house like that when it could be
0:09:36 > 0:09:38made nice for a family to move into and be used again.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42It's empty and if people know it's empty, anybody can go
0:09:42 > 0:09:45and try and get in through windows and squat.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48Who wants to live near a property like that?
0:09:48 > 0:09:51I certainly don't and I'm sure nobody else does.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54The next step for Sue is to get workmen into the building
0:09:54 > 0:09:55to make sure it's stable
0:09:55 > 0:09:58and prevent further damage to neighbouring houses.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02Back at the office, her boss gives her permission
0:10:02 > 0:10:04to track down the owner and make contact.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08She's now done that, giving the owner a month to respond.
0:10:08 > 0:10:09If they don't,
0:10:09 > 0:10:13Sue will be issued with a warrant to gain access to the property.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16What interests me in empty property work is seeing a derelict
0:10:16 > 0:10:18property transformed into a home.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20It's the end result that's the driver.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25Bringing an empty property back to life can be
0:10:25 > 0:10:28incredibly worthwhile but that doesn't mean it's ever easy.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31However, if you do speak to the people who've been through it,
0:10:31 > 0:10:34they'll assure you the hard slog, the long hours,
0:10:34 > 0:10:36the late nights - they're all worth it in the end.
0:10:36 > 0:10:41Robin and Isobel Edwards bought a grade two listed Georgian
0:10:41 > 0:10:43farmhouse in Axbridge, Somerset,
0:10:43 > 0:10:47in the hope of creating a cosy home with enough space to entertain
0:10:47 > 0:10:52their expanding family and a large circle of friends.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55I used to cycle past this house on my way to work every day.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59We'd been looking for two years and this one came up on the market.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03I recognised it as the house I cycled past and came to look around.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07You had to climb up a ladder into this room that we're in now,
0:11:07 > 0:11:09into the hayloft.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12I turned round and looked at the view from out of these windows
0:11:12 > 0:11:16which is to the Mendips and it just made me burst into tears.
0:11:16 > 0:11:21I called Robin on my mobile and said, "I've found the house!
0:11:21 > 0:11:23"You've got to buy this house!"
0:11:25 > 0:11:29The couple paid £316,000 for the dilapidated building
0:11:29 > 0:11:34which had been empty for four years and needed complete renovation.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38There was a huge amount of work to do from top to bottom.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42The rising damp was drowning the woodworm. It was that sort of house.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45We devoted our life to doing this project.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48We were virtually here every day.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51We didn't go on holiday for 10 months, a year.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55They knew they were taking on a massive challenge, but Robin
0:11:55 > 0:11:59and Isobel were convinced they had found the right home for them.
0:11:59 > 0:12:04We wanted a renovation that we could stamp our own identity on the house.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07There was no point in buying a house that was all up together
0:12:07 > 0:12:09and then ripping out a perfectly good kitchen.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12We had a party when we first bought the house
0:12:12 > 0:12:15and we had all our friends round for dinner.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18They all thought we were completely mad. They hated it.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21Most of them thought we'd made a big mistake.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24We're having them back next week, the same people,
0:12:24 > 0:12:27to show them that it's not horrible any more.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31For Robin and Isobel, buying an empty house meant
0:12:31 > 0:12:35they had a blank space into which they could incorporate some
0:12:35 > 0:12:38of the important artefacts they'd collected throughout their life.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42At the previous house, we found two stained glass windows
0:12:42 > 0:12:45in the garden, and we used one in the house we had in Berkeley,
0:12:45 > 0:12:49and we've kept this stained glass under a bed for 30 years.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52We've incorporated it into the lounge door
0:12:52 > 0:12:55and it really seems to fit there.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58People say, "How nice that you've kept that old door."
0:12:58 > 0:13:01That's great, because they think it's an old door and it's not.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04- It's new.- It's lovely stained glass, it's absolutely beautiful.
0:13:04 > 0:13:09The couple spent £230,000 renovating the farmhouse
0:13:09 > 0:13:12and they did a huge amount of research into
0:13:12 > 0:13:15the traditional techniques and materials
0:13:15 > 0:13:17to restore it to its former glory.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23Ten months after the work began, the renovation was complete.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28When finally they took down the scaffolding around the house,
0:13:28 > 0:13:32so many people came up and said, "Excuse me, is this your house?
0:13:32 > 0:13:36"We love it. We love the colour and what you've done with this house."
0:13:36 > 0:13:40There is this feeling that we've restored what was once
0:13:40 > 0:13:45a lovely house and the renovation's brought it back to life again.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48This is perhaps something that we'll pass on to the next generation.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51Here is a wonderful house and we had a part in saving it.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53It's a good feeling.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00When empty buildings are earmarked for development, red tape
0:14:00 > 0:14:04and delays can mean that they're left vacant for years leading
0:14:04 > 0:14:07to further deterioration and anti-social behaviour.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10Turning empty properties into homes is an incredibly positive step.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13It can really improve a local community.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16I've come here to Oxford to find out how empty properties
0:14:16 > 0:14:20can be used to great benefit even before people live in them.
0:14:20 > 0:14:25This is The Old Boot Factory in Oxford built in 1933.
0:14:25 > 0:14:30The factory was used to make boots for American GIs but closed in 1970.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34The building has since had numerous uses but fell into dereliction
0:14:34 > 0:14:37and has been squatted for the last five years.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39A developer was granted planning permission
0:14:39 > 0:14:41to convert the space into three homes
0:14:41 > 0:14:44but work would not begin for 18 months. In the meantime,
0:14:44 > 0:14:48local events organiser Ian Nolan has come up
0:14:48 > 0:14:52with an interesting way of keeping this once-unloved building in use.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56When you knew this was empty and you wanted to do something with it,
0:14:56 > 0:14:59- what did you say to the developers? - The developer was really keen
0:14:59 > 0:15:03because he wanted someone to be here looking after the space.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07We're a caretaker for the building. He's given us an 18 month lease.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09In return, we had to make it good.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12There's a bargain here - presumably, you don't pay much but
0:15:12 > 0:15:16you make sure the building's looked after and take that responsibility.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20Definitely. We pay the landlord a peppercorn rent.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24We pay £1 for 18 months which is nothing at all. In return...
0:15:24 > 0:15:26a very small peppercorn!
0:15:26 > 0:15:29In return, we have had to spend a couple of thousand pounds
0:15:29 > 0:15:31getting the building up to scratch.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33Making it good and making it a safe space.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37Over a five year period, the Boot Factory was squatted
0:15:37 > 0:15:39and fell into serious disrepair.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42But Ian rallied the local community to rescue it.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45After several months they transformed the building
0:15:45 > 0:15:48into a lively and affordable performing arts centre,
0:15:48 > 0:15:52for local musicians, artists and charity fundraisers.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55Sounded like it was very much the black sheep of the area
0:15:55 > 0:15:58with squatters and potential drug use and that sort of stuff
0:15:58 > 0:16:00and now it feels like it's come alive.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03Instead of people worrying about what was there,
0:16:03 > 0:16:05neighbours worrying about what's going on
0:16:05 > 0:16:09and are their gardens safe and are kids safe playing outside, those sort of things,
0:16:09 > 0:16:13we've tried to make it feel like a space people can come inside.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16The amount of times we are here working and tidying up
0:16:16 > 0:16:19and the gates are open and people come in and have a look around.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23It doesn't matter who you are, you get to know each other.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26I'm going to have a look around. Do you mind if I pop my head in?
0:16:26 > 0:16:28No. Let me know what you think.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30Many locals were involved in the renovation
0:16:30 > 0:16:34and one of them was Sarah Mayhew.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36Hello, Sarah. I'm Joe.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39You came in here and painted a bit of the ceiling?
0:16:39 > 0:16:43Everybody pitched in. There were about 30 people altogether. It felt good.
0:16:43 > 0:16:48It's quite rare to see these places where somebody takes a lead and the community follows.
0:16:48 > 0:16:54It's really lovely now. It's a really positive building as opposed to the negative space it was before.
0:16:54 > 0:16:59So nice a space, in fact, that Sarah is now planning to have her engagement party here.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02This is a great way of keeping a derelict building in use
0:17:02 > 0:17:06before a developer turns it into much-needed housing.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08This project seems to work so well.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11It's positive for the community, for the developer
0:17:11 > 0:17:13and for the building itself.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15A win-win situation.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18Let's hope there are other socially minded entrepreneurs out there
0:17:18 > 0:17:20who can follow Ian's example
0:17:20 > 0:17:25and release the potential of Britain's other empty properties.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32'Earlier I met Karen and Jeremy who had bought this run-down terraced house.
0:17:32 > 0:17:38'They took on an empty home to be able to afford to live close to their son's new school.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42'They've uncovered some unexpected structural surprises.'
0:17:42 > 0:17:45What we didn't realise was the true extent of the subsidence problem.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48The poor foundations we've got in there.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52'I'm sending them to meet a couple who've completed a very similar project
0:17:52 > 0:17:55'just around the corner in nearby Twickenham.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57'Guy and Tara Morgan-Harris
0:17:57 > 0:18:02'bought this three-bedroom 1980's detached terrace house in 2008.'
0:18:02 > 0:18:05We were both really happy as soon as we stepped in.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08Even though it looked terrible, we were just happy.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12'The couple dreamed of living in this cosy area near Twickenham Green
0:18:12 > 0:18:15'but all the homes they looked at were out of their price range.'
0:18:15 > 0:18:18My parents live very close by, on the green.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20It had everything we were looking for.
0:18:20 > 0:18:26And also it felt right in the sense of loads of open space for the family.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29There's no way we could have done this if we hadn't bought it as it was.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31We were very lucky to find this house.
0:18:31 > 0:18:36'They spotted the dilapidated 1980's house and undeterred,
0:18:36 > 0:18:41'instantly saw the potential others had missed and decided to bring it back to life.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43'Guy and Tara are both architects
0:18:43 > 0:18:45'so were prepared for what was in store,
0:18:45 > 0:18:50'but even the professionals got flustered by the trials of renovation.'
0:18:50 > 0:18:53You're expecting a baby, hormones flying everywhere,
0:18:53 > 0:18:55all you want is your home finished.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01'They now have a stunning family home with four bedrooms,
0:19:01 > 0:19:04'a ground-floor extension and a separate office area in the garden.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08'They feel all their hard work has been worthwhile.'
0:19:09 > 0:19:13When you walked in, did you have a vision for what you could do with this place?
0:19:13 > 0:19:16The front elevation was a complete facelift.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20We wanted something that would bring as much light in as possible and not be too...
0:19:20 > 0:19:22Out of keeping.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24I'm surprised by how new the property was
0:19:24 > 0:19:28because, walking down the street, I'd assumed it was another Victorian facade.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32We've changed it a lot from what it was.
0:19:32 > 0:19:37Did you uncover any surprises when you took a look at the fabric of the building underneath?
0:19:37 > 0:19:38There were surprises,
0:19:38 > 0:19:41there always are when you're working with an existing house.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45For us, the main one was the joists upstairs on the first and second floors
0:19:45 > 0:19:48weren't where we thought they'd be or hoped they'd be,
0:19:48 > 0:19:51and you can never tell until you pull it apart and find out.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53'Like Karen and Jeremy,
0:19:53 > 0:19:58'Tara and Guy discovered that existing first floor joists weren't strong enough to take the extra load
0:19:58 > 0:20:00'required for a loft extension.'
0:20:00 > 0:20:06We're thinking about doing a loft conversion but it's the structural issues which are making us consider
0:20:06 > 0:20:08whether it's going to be worthwhile doing the project,
0:20:08 > 0:20:11because it is costing such a lot to add one extra room.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13It's better to get the structure right.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16You can do the nice things over the years ahead.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20'Getting the structure right first, as Guy and Tara did, is vital.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23'It can save you time and money later on.'
0:20:24 > 0:20:27It's really good if you know a contractor
0:20:27 > 0:20:32or have friends or family that have used someone and can recommend them.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34That's always the ideal scenario.
0:20:34 > 0:20:39If you can't, a lot of it is to do with your gut instinct.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44'Guy and Tara extended the ground floor to enlarge the footprint
0:20:44 > 0:20:47'and create a light and airy living space.'
0:20:47 > 0:20:50One of the main design concepts was to open everything up
0:20:50 > 0:20:54as much as we can and to achieve that, we put in these sliding doors.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57They're quite straightforward, really.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59Gosh. That's great, isn't it?
0:21:00 > 0:21:05This is very similar to what we want to achieve with having a completely glass wall
0:21:05 > 0:21:07on the back of the property.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09Ours would be slightly more traditional
0:21:09 > 0:21:11and more like a conservatory but I love the idea
0:21:11 > 0:21:14that you've got inside, outside living
0:21:14 > 0:21:17and you can have your dining room table out there, in there,
0:21:17 > 0:21:19while you're having a barbecue here.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21It's great. Really lovely.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24- Would you like to come upstairs? - Love to.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26- Thank you.- After you. - Thank you.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32This is the floor we created from scratch.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34This is all basically brand new.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37The roof wasn't here before so this has given us
0:21:37 > 0:21:40an extra two double bedrooms and a bathroom.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43'Thanks to their remodelling,
0:21:43 > 0:21:45'Guy and Tara have a total of five bedrooms,
0:21:45 > 0:21:48'plenty of room for the whole family.'
0:21:51 > 0:21:54Do you think it's worth it, taking off the roof, doing the rooms?
0:21:54 > 0:21:57Do you think we should go with reinforcing the house
0:21:57 > 0:21:59just so we can create one room?
0:21:59 > 0:22:03Doing this part first, getting the main body of the house together, it's got to be worth it.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06Finances aside, it will give you the house you need
0:22:06 > 0:22:10and the house you're really looking forward to having. Absolutely.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13'I'll be meeting up with Karen and Jeremy later
0:22:13 > 0:22:16'to find their thoughts on Guy and Tara's impressive house
0:22:16 > 0:22:20'and to see if it's helped them make decisions about their renovation.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25In Derbyshire, empty property officer, Sue Lee, is continuing her mission
0:22:25 > 0:22:29to rescue some of the 1,000 empty homes in her area.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33Today she's meeting a couple who are playing for an interest-free loan
0:22:33 > 0:22:35from the council to renovate a house.
0:22:36 > 0:22:40We only have a small number of loans that we can offer each year.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44These are to help owners who are struggling
0:22:44 > 0:22:47with finances to bring the properties back into use.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51In these tough economic times, an increasing number of people are rescuing empty homes
0:22:51 > 0:22:55but finding themselves in financial difficulty.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58In cases like this, the local council can step in to help
0:22:58 > 0:23:02to avoid the building falling back into dereliction.
0:23:02 > 0:23:08This is exactly the situation the couple Sue is meeting today have found themselves in.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11The new owners, June and Mark, are over a year into re-modernising
0:23:11 > 0:23:16this £165,000 house, but they've underestimated the extent of the work
0:23:16 > 0:23:20and their home is still far from habitable.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23Once I take you around and show you the rest,
0:23:23 > 0:23:28you'll kind of see there's a lot more work involved than we initially thought.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32The local council are close to approving a loan for June and Mark
0:23:32 > 0:23:36but Sue wants to see exactly how the council funds will be used.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38This is the kitchen.
0:23:38 > 0:23:44We've got this far with it and this is one of the main areas we'd really like your help.
0:23:44 > 0:23:49It will obviously speed the process up of getting us in here and living.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53The council offers loans to help owners renovate empty properties
0:23:53 > 0:23:58and get them in there a lot quicker than otherwise would have happened.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02That's up to a maximum of 15,000. It won't just be the kitchen.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06We'll have to look at the whole property and everything
0:24:06 > 0:24:11that needs doing because we need it to meet a certain basic minimum standard all over.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14These don't have to be repaid until the property is sold
0:24:14 > 0:24:18or there's a change in ownership in the future.
0:24:18 > 0:24:23Outside, there are structural problems which are potentially of more serious concern.
0:24:23 > 0:24:29Right, Sue. This is the externals which, as you can see, we do need a little bit of help on this.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32The gable end, that needs pointing up work doing.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36That chimney stack up there needs a bit of work on it as well.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39The gutterings need replacing.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42They're probably original ones from when it was built
0:24:42 > 0:24:46and basically it needs a good tidy up so it doesn't ruin the good work we've done inside.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48That's something, again, that the loan would cover,
0:24:48 > 0:24:50the externals to the property.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53Making sure it's weatherproof
0:24:53 > 0:24:56to protect the structure of it for the future.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59Sue has to make sure she has all the information
0:24:59 > 0:25:03so she can rubber-stamp this loan as approved.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06I'm just making some notes now of the basic things we need
0:25:06 > 0:25:08to see happen to make this property habitable.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11I'm then able to process the loan application
0:25:11 > 0:25:14so we don't hold them up any longer and they can get their finance
0:25:14 > 0:25:16and move in the property as soon as possible.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18- Thank you.- Thank you very much.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20I really appreciate it.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23It was lovely meeting Mark and June.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26They are putting their heart and soul into this property.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30I'm getting this loan processed as quickly as possible so we get them in for Christmas.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36Back in Twickenham, Karen and Jeremy got some sound advice
0:25:36 > 0:25:40from a couple who have overcome similar renovation challenges,
0:25:40 > 0:25:43just like the ones they will be facing in their new home.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47I'm meeting up with them to hear how they now feel about their building project.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50I hope you've had a good afternoon.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53Was it reassuring to meet a couple who have done what you've done,
0:25:53 > 0:25:58bought an empty property to be able to afford to move into a certain area?
0:25:58 > 0:26:02Looking at it now, you'd never believe it. It's a beautiful property.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06When you're doing the structural work, my hunch is that it will make sense,
0:26:06 > 0:26:10even if you don't do the attic, to make sure you to the wall and put the reinforcements in.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13Were you inspired by their kitchen area?
0:26:13 > 0:26:16It was great to see how you can have this seamless living
0:26:16 > 0:26:20between indoors and outdoors, which is something we very much want to do.
0:26:20 > 0:26:24You look at where we are now to where they are now and think, it can be done.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27There is definitely a goal to be achieved.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30Guys, it's great to see you so positive
0:26:30 > 0:26:32and the very best of luck with your project.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34- Thank you. - Thank you.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37What I really like about Karen and Jeremy's journey today
0:26:37 > 0:26:42is they have discovered even architects come across problems they didn't expect.
0:26:42 > 0:26:47That is the point here. You don't have to be a professional to take on an empty property,
0:26:47 > 0:26:50as long as you do your research and bring in the best people,
0:26:50 > 0:26:52the best advice available to you.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56And with thousands of empty properties across the UK, who knows,
0:26:56 > 0:26:59perhaps you could rescue one for yourself.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd