0:00:02 > 0:00:08Across the country, empty buildings that could be homes are just waiting to be brought back to use.
0:00:08 > 0:00:13I'll be finding out why and what you need to do to rescue a house for yourself.
0:00:13 > 0:00:19And along the way I'll be doing some digging of my own to find out more about our housing stock,
0:00:19 > 0:00:24our heritage and why we should be reinventing and preserving Britain's empty homes.
0:00:31 > 0:00:35Tackling and transforming an empty property may be challenging,
0:00:35 > 0:00:38but it also offers up endless possibilities.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42In many cases, you have something really interesting to work with,
0:00:42 > 0:00:47be it a building of historical importance or something with an unusual former use
0:00:47 > 0:00:51because in Britain, it's not just two up, two downs lying empty.
0:00:51 > 0:00:57Everything from abandoned pubs to derelict factories are available for those with a keen eye.
0:00:57 > 0:01:01'On today's show, I'll be meeting a first-time buyer
0:01:01 > 0:01:05'considering taking the plunge to embrace life on the ocean wave.'
0:01:05 > 0:01:09- You seem to be smiling quite a lot. - Yeah, I'm getting face ache already.
0:01:09 > 0:01:14'We'll meet people who have taken big risks to get the home of their dreams.'
0:01:14 > 0:01:20I'm lucky because I have a very trusting wife who never saw this property before we bought it.
0:01:20 > 0:01:26'We follow the property detectives who track down owners of forgotten houses and help breathe new life
0:01:26 > 0:01:29'into the neighbourhoods blighted by them.'
0:01:29 > 0:01:32You wouldn't know this was the same house.
0:01:34 > 0:01:42Sarah McGill and her fiance Charlie Fuller live in the picturesque town of Chesham in Buckinghamshire.
0:01:42 > 0:01:48They recently got engaged and are now on the hunt for a unique living space to call home.
0:01:48 > 0:01:53They've considered pubs and boats and are determined to find something that stands out.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57I think we're looking just for anything with a bit of history,
0:01:57 > 0:02:02something that's had a life before it like an old factory or a boat.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06- I can't imagine living in a new-build estate or anything like that.- No.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10Sarah is in advertising and Charlie is a graphic designer.
0:02:10 > 0:02:16Both work in London, so they're looking for something that's within commuting distance.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20They have around £240,000 to spend on a house and any renovations.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24We'd look to do as much as possible ourselves.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27- Yeah, call the experts when it goes wrong.- Yeah.
0:02:27 > 0:02:32- I don't know. I think we're both up for a challenge for sure.- Yeah.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35They want a challenge and I'll take them at their word.
0:02:35 > 0:02:40Leaving Charlie to his work, I'm meeting Sarah to introduce her
0:02:40 > 0:02:43to a potential home which might just float her boat.
0:02:44 > 0:02:49- Hello, Sarah. I'm Joe.- Hi, Joe. - How are you?- Pretty good.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52Tell me, what is it you're looking for?
0:02:52 > 0:02:56Ideally, a home that's had a past life,
0:02:56 > 0:02:58something that's unique,
0:02:58 > 0:03:01something with a bit of history,
0:03:01 > 0:03:06- but something we can really make our own as well.- OK.
0:03:06 > 0:03:11I've brought you to Chatham Historic Dockyards for something very unusual,
0:03:11 > 0:03:14which means I have to give you one of these.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17This might give the game away. It's a life-jacket.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21- We're going to go and see a boat. - OK.- So a little bit different.
0:03:21 > 0:03:27- I imagine that already ticks the box of being quite unique. - Yeah, that's awesome.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30- I won't say any more. Let's go and have a look at it.- OK.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34'There are hundreds of empty boats and barges across the UK
0:03:34 > 0:03:38'and over 15,000 people currently live on our waterways.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42'They are not everyone's idea of a home, but with a bit of imagination,
0:03:42 > 0:03:46'these vessels can be turned into unique living spaces,
0:03:46 > 0:03:50'often with the added attraction of the freedom to travel.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54'With the right approach, you can create some spectacular results.'
0:03:54 > 0:04:00OK, well, look, there's lots of boats. Which one is it? Any ideas?
0:04:00 > 0:04:05OK, I'll put you out of your misery. You see that great big thing over there?
0:04:05 > 0:04:08That is wicked. I was kind of hoping it was that one.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12That's probably the best one along here. That's awesome.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16Look at that, unique character. It's Ougree MSI 483.
0:04:16 > 0:04:21It was a Belgian minesweeper. It's 107 foot long.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23120 tonnes.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25There's quite a lot of boat there.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29- You seem to be smiling quite a lot. - Yeah, I'm getting face ache already.
0:04:29 > 0:04:34It's very unusual. Is that the sort of thing you were hoping for?
0:04:34 > 0:04:39- Right up our street. - I suggest we hop across to have a look.- Brilliant.
0:04:43 > 0:04:49'Alongside the rest of the Belgian minesweeping fleet, Ougree 483 and its crew of 18
0:04:49 > 0:04:51'was in active service from 1958 to 1992.
0:04:51 > 0:04:57'The current owner bought the boat from the Belgian navy and used it as a recreational vessel,
0:04:57 > 0:05:00'but ill health forced him to sell up.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04'Despite having lain empty on its Medway river mooring for six years,
0:05:04 > 0:05:10'most of the ship's machinery and technical equipment is still fully functioning.
0:05:10 > 0:05:16'The Ougree 483 is on the market for £125,000, and with vision and the right approach,
0:05:16 > 0:05:20'could provide Sarah and Charlie with a unique home.'
0:05:20 > 0:05:26This is very much still a boat. It's quite compartmentalised. You'd expect that with a boat.
0:05:26 > 0:05:32You have to use your imagination to see through that, but if you can visualise how the rooms divide up,
0:05:32 > 0:05:35- it's the equivalent of a three-bedroom house.- OK.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38So first impressions before we go downstairs?
0:05:38 > 0:05:42- Absolutely insane, but amazing. - Insane?- Yeah.
0:05:42 > 0:05:48- What we really need to do is take a look below deck and see what you make of that.- Definitely.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51'Sarah seems unfazed so far,
0:05:51 > 0:05:55'but I wonder what she's going to make of what we find below deck?
0:05:55 > 0:06:00'The main bulkheads are divided up into offices and sailors' quarters.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04'There's also a kitchen, a bathroom and a large saloon area
0:06:04 > 0:06:07'which could be a great living space.
0:06:07 > 0:06:14'All of these areas could be opened up in a number of ways, depending on Sarah and Charlie's needs.'
0:06:14 > 0:06:17Right, come on through, Sarah.
0:06:17 > 0:06:23There are two rooms like this. The one next door is for the captain. This would be the officers' mess.
0:06:23 > 0:06:29There's four bunks there and a sort of general living area here, but it's tiny, isn't it?
0:06:29 > 0:06:34Yeah, I guess we'd probably knock a few bits out here and there.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37You have to open it up and see which ones you can join.
0:06:37 > 0:06:43There's no planning permission. No-one is saying, "You've got to keep this or that."
0:06:43 > 0:06:46You have free rein in that respect which is great.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49The problem is you don't want to be knocking down a wall
0:06:49 > 0:06:54that in some way impacts on the structural stability of a floating vessel.
0:06:54 > 0:07:00- Definitely not.- The important thing is to obviously get specialist contractors in.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04In terms of all the equipment, keeping that as a feature,
0:07:04 > 0:07:09it's going to be hard to work out what you would keep and what you would throw away.
0:07:09 > 0:07:15Yeah, there's tons of potential. Literally, 120 tonnes of potential here.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18'There's a real surprise hidden down below.'
0:07:18 > 0:07:23Wow, yeah! So this is clearly, as it's quite loud, the engine room.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27That is just the generator going at the moment.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31These are the proper engines and they are absolutely mammoth.
0:07:31 > 0:07:37- These are 63 litres and these engines do work and the boat could move to a different mooring.- OK.
0:07:37 > 0:07:42- How do you feel about that? - It's always good to have options, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:07:42 > 0:07:47'Back up on deck, I'm keen to hear Sarah's thoughts.'
0:07:47 > 0:07:50It's definitely unique, it definitely needs a lot of work,
0:07:50 > 0:07:57but I think actually looking around, I've kind of got that naive kind of excitement,
0:07:57 > 0:08:00looking at what I could start doing.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04I think of everything, just being down in the engine room,
0:08:04 > 0:08:08that's the only thing where I felt just a bit out of my depth, really.
0:08:08 > 0:08:13What will be really helpful is later we'll take you to meet someone
0:08:13 > 0:08:19who has taken on an extremely unique project, made it into a home and they've come out the other side.
0:08:19 > 0:08:25I think they've got some invaluable advice which would be brilliant for you to hear. How does that sound?
0:08:25 > 0:08:29- It'll either make my mind up or put me off.- Exactly.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31Sounds brilliant.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34Sarah and Charlie wanted something unusual
0:08:34 > 0:08:39and you can see when Sarah is looking around that she is buzzing from the original features
0:08:39 > 0:08:42and the details of this historic boat,
0:08:42 > 0:08:46but with a unique property comes unique problems.
0:08:46 > 0:08:52If they take this on, they're going to need a huge amount of help and I really mean that.
0:08:52 > 0:08:58Later on, I'll take Sarah to meet someone who has successfully taken on a similar boat renovation.
0:08:58 > 0:09:04But not all sectors of the housing market are quite so "buoyant".
0:09:04 > 0:09:09Across Britain, local council empty property officers are carrying out detective work
0:09:09 > 0:09:15on our abandoned houses, working tirelessly to bring them back into use.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19Dave Carter is one of Enfield Council's most senior EPOs.
0:09:19 > 0:09:25When I come across an empty house, I don't see just the bricks and mortar.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27I see a potential family house.
0:09:27 > 0:09:33Today, David is planning to take drastic action on a local, long-term empty home.
0:09:33 > 0:09:38This morning, I'm going to be visiting a property to serve a compulsory purchase order.
0:09:38 > 0:09:45This means the Secretary of State has given permission for the council to take possession of this empty house.
0:09:45 > 0:09:50We've been forced into this because the owner has refused to negotiate with us.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53There's rodent infestations.
0:09:53 > 0:09:59The rear kitchen has collapsed and it is internally one of the worst properties I've seen for a long time.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04Before he can head out to the house, Dave gets a surprise phone call from the owner.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07Obviously, I'd like to meet you today...
0:10:07 > 0:10:11You can't meet me today. When would be a good time to meet?
0:10:11 > 0:10:16The owner is obviously aware that I intend to visit the property
0:10:16 > 0:10:18and affix the notice to the house.
0:10:18 > 0:10:25He's not happy, but he wants to meet me and talk about a possible way round it.
0:10:25 > 0:10:31All being well, I'll meet with him next week and we can hopefully come to some amenable solution.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Even though Dave has now spoken with the owner,
0:10:34 > 0:10:40legally, he still has to serve notice of the compulsory purchase order in person.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44He knows I'll stick the notice on the door. It has to be done.
0:10:44 > 0:10:50I'm keeping my eyes peeled in case the owner pops up here. He works only a couple of minutes away.
0:10:50 > 0:10:56If he does, it gives me a chance to have a chat with him about the process I'm going through.
0:10:59 > 0:11:06With the notice fixed on the door, Dave tells the neighbours of council plans for the abandoned home.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10- Hello, Mr Lyle.- Hi. - I'm Mr Carter from Enfield Council.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13Just to let you know that the empty house next door,
0:11:13 > 0:11:17the council have obtained a compulsory purchase order
0:11:17 > 0:11:21and as part of the legal process we have to fix a notice to the door.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25- So we can look forward to a new neighbour soon?- Hopefully.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28The new neighbour will get the place renovated
0:11:28 > 0:11:32- and you won't have to live next door to a wreck.- Look forward to it.
0:11:32 > 0:11:37Hopefully, Dave can now get this place back into use as a family home.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41The notice has now been served. I'm hoping to meet the owner next week.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45But he'll have to come up with firm proposals and a firm timeline.
0:11:45 > 0:11:51Without that, the council will have to move forward to take full possession, so here's hoping.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56There's a huge variety of empty properties out there
0:11:56 > 0:12:01and whether it's a listed building in a remote location or a two-bed semi in a city street,
0:12:01 > 0:12:03the same principles apply.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07With hard graft, imagination and motivation,
0:12:07 > 0:12:12even the most hopeless-looking empty property can be saved from rack and ruin.
0:12:12 > 0:12:18In Buckfastleigh, Devon, architect Nicholas Burwell found the perfect family home
0:12:18 > 0:12:20in this Grade Two listed building.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23We didn't want to take anything from the town,
0:12:23 > 0:12:28so we found a property that had already been abandoned for three years.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32It had been used as a print workshop, as an assembly room for the pub
0:12:32 > 0:12:36and as a bank. People know it as the old bank.
0:12:36 > 0:12:42It also had character and I knew I could do something to make it feel like a real home.
0:12:42 > 0:12:48People just don't build 18-foot-high ceilings any more. They just don't do it, so why would you change it?
0:12:48 > 0:12:55Nicholas made an offer of £235,000, but there was someone he forgot to tell about his purchase.
0:12:55 > 0:13:01I'm lucky because I have a very trusting wife who never saw this property before we bought it.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04I just made the offer.
0:13:04 > 0:13:10Within a week, we had signed the deal, so yeah, maybe I shouldn't have done it that way, but I did.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15The property was completely uninhabitable,
0:13:15 > 0:13:21but over four years, Nicholas and Alison spent £180,000 and transformed the space
0:13:21 > 0:13:24into an incredible contemporary home.
0:13:24 > 0:13:30One thing we really enjoyed doing in the house was going out and buying a whole log of chestnut.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34And I mean a log this long, 15 metres long.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38We had that cut down into boards after it had finished seasoning.
0:13:38 > 0:13:44The great thing is you know it's sourced locally, it's good for the local economy and because it comes
0:13:44 > 0:13:48in random-width boards with all the blemishes of natural materials,
0:13:48 > 0:13:51it sits in an old building well.
0:13:51 > 0:13:58Despite being an architect, the conversion held many challenges for Nicholas and his wife.
0:13:58 > 0:14:05Actually, if I was doing this as a job, doing all of the planning applications, the drawings,
0:14:05 > 0:14:10and all the detailed drawings, it would take me a couple of months, full-time.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13I had to fit it in evenings, weekends,
0:14:13 > 0:14:19and that got in the way of family things, in the way of being nice to my wife.
0:14:19 > 0:14:25When it's your own project and you do it in your spare time, it places enormous demands on you,
0:14:25 > 0:14:30so be prepared, if you do it yourself, to have these stresses.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34The room that gives me the most pleasure is the kitchen dining area.
0:14:34 > 0:14:39The light really flies in there in the morning. Beautiful light.
0:14:39 > 0:14:47Just sitting there with your boiled egg and paper and a coffee and the peace and quiet is just fantastic.
0:14:51 > 0:14:57It's very easy to see an empty property as an eyesore, but it can represent a real opportunity.
0:14:57 > 0:15:03I'm on my way to meet someone who received help when he needed it most from a housing co-operative
0:15:03 > 0:15:08who found a way to give people a second chance using derelict homes.
0:15:10 > 0:15:16'In London, the Riverlink Housing Co-Operative is working hard to redevelop empty homes.
0:15:16 > 0:15:22'They try to meet the need of single homeless people who struggle to get social housing
0:15:22 > 0:15:28'by providing them with a home and training in renovation skills.
0:15:28 > 0:15:34'Today I'm meeting Nigel Greenwood whose fortunes have changed thanks to Riverlink's work.'
0:15:34 > 0:15:38- Nigel, hello. I'm Joe. - Nigel. Nice to meet you.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42'Nigel lost his job and his rented home in quick succession.'
0:15:42 > 0:15:45I was doing contract work, the contract ended.
0:15:45 > 0:15:50In the private sector I can claim housing benefit, which I did.
0:15:50 > 0:15:55They contact the agency to verify I have the tenancy.
0:15:55 > 0:16:03The agents rang me and said, "The owner doesn't want people on benefits in his accommodation."
0:16:03 > 0:16:09- So they served notice on me. - So suddenly you've got no job, your contract's come to an end,
0:16:09 > 0:16:13and your landlord says, "I don't want you around on benefits."
0:16:13 > 0:16:16- And that's it, you're out.- Exactly.
0:16:16 > 0:16:23'But Riverlink gave Nigel a second chance and the training and skills to help renovate
0:16:23 > 0:16:27'this empty home on London's North Circular.
0:16:29 > 0:16:35'Empty for a number of years, this had fallen into serious disrepair and was a magnet for squatters.
0:16:39 > 0:16:45'But Nigel and other members of the Riverlink co-operative have transformed it into a safe home
0:16:45 > 0:16:48'rented at an affordable price.'
0:16:48 > 0:16:52This is the living room, renovated about five years ago now.
0:16:52 > 0:16:58- Quite cosy, secondary glazing, so it's quite warm as well. - Yeah. Very comfortable.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02This is the kitchen.
0:17:02 > 0:17:07Renovated, white furniture provided as well.
0:17:07 > 0:17:14This house we've converted into flats, so we've had to put a shower under the stairs
0:17:14 > 0:17:17and the wash basin and the loo.
0:17:19 > 0:17:25It's great to hear of an organisation dedicated to rejuvenating buildings
0:17:25 > 0:17:28and also teaching people new skills.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32It helps foster and maintain a sense of community
0:17:32 > 0:17:38and that could be beneficial here and in so many other areas across the UK.
0:17:39 > 0:17:46Back in Chesham, Sarah McGill and fiance Charlie Fuller are looking for an unusual space to set up home.
0:17:46 > 0:17:53I took them at their word and showed Sarah a former Belgian minesweeper on the Medway that's up for sale.
0:17:54 > 0:18:00With some imagination, this sea-faring vessel could be transformed into an amazing home.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04And Sarah really seemed enthused by what she saw.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07Absolutely insane, but amazing.
0:18:07 > 0:18:12'Now I'm taking her to Southwark to see how, with the right approach,
0:18:12 > 0:18:16'boats can become spacious and characterful family homes.'
0:18:16 > 0:18:23- Here we are.- Hello!- Hello! Can we come in?- Welcome aboard! Come through.- Thank you.
0:18:23 > 0:18:30'In 2003, shipping lawyer Hannah Cash and her restaurateur husband Nicholas bought a former coal barge
0:18:30 > 0:18:36'and began an epic eight-year renovation project. The barge, now known as Katharine of London,
0:18:36 > 0:18:39'was far from ship-shape.'
0:18:39 > 0:18:45When we first purchased her, she was pretty much a shell, but we then fully converted her,
0:18:45 > 0:18:52so we put in skylights, partition walls, a new kitchen and a bathroom.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54And then we just made it habitable.
0:18:54 > 0:18:59Converting a barge while living on it came with its own challenges.
0:18:59 > 0:19:05There was a lot of unforeseen things on the technical aspect that took a lot longer than anticipated.
0:19:05 > 0:19:12You're not dealing with a house. The lines are difficult and the floors aren't even.
0:19:12 > 0:19:17- It was hard, but worth it. - They purchased her for £100,000
0:19:17 > 0:19:24and spent another £150,000 renovating her, but Hannah and Nicholas and daughter Liliana
0:19:24 > 0:19:28now have a unique home with an enviable lifestyle.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31It's an amazing thing to do to travel with your home.
0:19:31 > 0:19:37You've got all your home comforts and it's very nice waking up in different places.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41It's a lovely way to bring up a child on the water.
0:19:41 > 0:19:47We have swans that visit the portholes for bread. We feed ducks. It's lovely.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51It's really nice and very different for a child. Very free.
0:19:51 > 0:19:57All boat conversions pose different challenges, but the principles remain the same.
0:19:57 > 0:20:04- I'm hoping Sarah gleans some practical advice.- This is Katharine of London. Here's the galley.
0:20:04 > 0:20:10- And this is the saloon.- Wow. The first thing that strikes you
0:20:10 > 0:20:14is the space and the size of it. It's really unusual.
0:20:14 > 0:20:20We wanted something spacious and airy and a bit of a wow factor and it does achieve it.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24- It really is quite a place. Sarah? - It's absolutely incredible.
0:20:24 > 0:20:30From the outside it looks really neat, but I would not have expected the size inside.
0:20:30 > 0:20:36- And the spaciousness.- The best thing is we didn't need planning permission and we could really
0:20:36 > 0:20:43- do as we wanted to do. - Who did you involve? Did you have a history of renovating boats?- No.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46I didn't know anything about the technicalities or renovating.
0:20:46 > 0:20:52We spoke to lots of people, we viewed lots of boats
0:20:52 > 0:20:57and then we just commissioned people to help us. Specialists.
0:20:57 > 0:21:02- How did you know that she was watertight? Underwater surveys? - Of course, yeah.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05Always have a survey with a boat.
0:21:05 > 0:21:11Every six years you have to haul it out of the water, paint the bottom, take the barnacles off.
0:21:11 > 0:21:17- Constant maintenance.- Whatever the purchase price is, set aside 10% every year for maintenance.
0:21:17 > 0:21:23But life isn't all about maintenance. There's plenty of time to enjoy the perks of this life.
0:21:23 > 0:21:30- So this is the deck.- Wow. This is a great space for summer, enjoying fresh air.- Absolutely.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34A great view of the marina and of where you are.
0:21:34 > 0:21:40You both worked full-time when you took this on. How did you work it?
0:21:40 > 0:21:46It was difficult. You just have to say goodbye to your weekends and evenings
0:21:46 > 0:21:53and just work around it, really. It wasn't easy, but the rewards of finishing it make it worth it.
0:21:53 > 0:22:00You've lived on boats for many years. I'm just wondering what Sarah needs to bear in mind.
0:22:00 > 0:22:06- It's not for everyone.- No, it's not. I'd never lived on a boat before so it was all new to me,
0:22:06 > 0:22:11but I knew that I liked boats and I wanted to live near the water.
0:22:11 > 0:22:18If that's what you think as well, I'm sure it's for you. You have to embrace living on a boat.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22- And embrace the rocking! - The motion of the ocean, yeah.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24- Thank you so much.- Pleasure.
0:22:24 > 0:22:31- It's such a joy to see such a unique and unusual home. - Good luck. I hope you go for it.
0:22:31 > 0:22:36- Yeah. I'll definitely be in touch! - Any questions you've got, I'd love to.
0:22:38 > 0:22:45In Enfield, empty property officer Dave Carter is devoted to bringing derelict houses back to use.
0:22:45 > 0:22:51But it's not always a smooth journey getting an empty home back to its former glory.
0:22:51 > 0:22:56Last year we featured this four-bedroom house which had lain empty for over 10 years.
0:22:56 > 0:23:03This once-loved home had been squatted and all requests from Dave to meet the owner were ignored.
0:23:03 > 0:23:09Dave was eventually granted a compulsory purchase order and the council sold it at auction
0:23:09 > 0:23:12to a local property developer.
0:23:12 > 0:23:18A legal obligation of the sale was that they renovate the house.
0:23:18 > 0:23:23Having worked hard for over a decade to rescue the property, Dave is keen to meet with the developer
0:23:23 > 0:23:26to see the transformation.
0:23:26 > 0:23:31Last time I saw him, I was handing over the keys. Now, 12 months later,
0:23:31 > 0:23:36I'm really excited to see what progress he's made.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39- Morning!- Hi. How are you?
0:23:39 > 0:23:45- We've done a lot of work. - You've got the extension. Looking good.- Yes, yeah.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48- It's changed a lot. - Shall we go in?
0:23:48 > 0:23:50Come in and have a look.
0:23:50 > 0:23:55A full refurb has been carried out and it now provides affordable housing for locals.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01- Oh, lovely.- Yes. Can you see the difference?
0:24:01 > 0:24:07You've done a very good job. I remember that corner, the ceiling was completely down.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09There was a big hole there.
0:24:09 > 0:24:14- This was one of the worst rooms, if you remember.- I do, yes.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18- It was dirty and smelly.- Yes. - You've done an excellent job.
0:24:18 > 0:24:23You wouldn't know this was the same house. ..Oh, you've transformed it.
0:24:23 > 0:24:28- The squatters had had a good go at that one.- The pipes were all cut.
0:24:28 > 0:24:33- And the water was coming out. - Excellent. I'm very pleased.
0:24:33 > 0:24:40As part of the renovations, he's built two new bedrooms, converted the loft and built an extension.
0:24:40 > 0:24:47This is a real success story for Dave and it appears that all his hard work was worth it.
0:24:47 > 0:24:52I've dealt with this house for 10 years and I never thought the day would come,
0:24:52 > 0:24:57- so well done.- You're welcome. - I'll be in touch. Bye bye.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59'It's a most satisfying part'
0:24:59 > 0:25:04of the job to see a house transformed. When you first arrive
0:25:04 > 0:25:08and it's been squatted and it's been empty and neglected,
0:25:08 > 0:25:15you think, "I'll never get this house back into use." It takes time, but eventually you get there.
0:25:15 > 0:25:20And today's the day that we finally sign it off.
0:25:22 > 0:25:28'Earlier I met Sarah McGill, who's looking for an unusual place for her and her fiance Charlie.
0:25:28 > 0:25:33'We viewed a disused minesweeper which made quite an impression.
0:25:34 > 0:25:40'And we met a home owner who renovated an old barge into a spectacular family abode.
0:25:40 > 0:25:46'So, in light of what she's seen, how does Sarah feel about taking on an unusual empty home?'
0:25:46 > 0:25:50Sarah, having seen a completed houseboat, what are your thoughts?
0:25:50 > 0:25:54It's definitely opened my mind to the potential.
0:25:54 > 0:26:00The potential of the one we saw. Actually seeing what can happen is incredible.
0:26:00 > 0:26:06To see how the transformation can be made, does that lift your spirits?
0:26:06 > 0:26:12Yeah, and also terrifies me at the same time! But it's definitely the challenge and the prospect
0:26:12 > 0:26:18of getting something like that. The challenge is the exciting thing.
0:26:18 > 0:26:25- So what happens next? Are you raring to go?- The next step is to convince Charlie to come and view it as well
0:26:25 > 0:26:29and see if he has the same cheesy grin! And then get going, really.
0:26:29 > 0:26:34I'm so pleased that it's been an infectious day that's gripped you
0:26:34 > 0:26:39- and I wish you all the very best. - You have to come round for a cup of tea when we move in!
0:26:39 > 0:26:46Empty buildings like pubs or shops or even empty boats face the risk of falling into further disrepair
0:26:46 > 0:26:53if they're not brought back into use. So if people with determination and imagination, like Sarah,
0:26:53 > 0:27:01can take that leap of faith and help rescue them, not only are homes saved from the scrapheap,
0:27:01 > 0:27:05but, of course, the local community benefits as well.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd - 2012
0:27:16 > 0:27:19Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk