Sarah McGill and Charlie Fuller Britain's Empty Homes

Across the country, empty buildings that could be homes are just waiting to be brought back to use.

I'll be finding out why and what you need to do to rescue a house for yourself.

And along the way I'll be doing some digging of my own to find out more about our housing stock,

our heritage and why we should be reinventing and preserving Britain's empty homes.

Tackling and transforming an empty property may be challenging,

but it also offers up endless possibilities.

In many cases, you have something really interesting to work with,

be it a building of historical importance or something with an unusual former use

because in Britain, it's not just two up, two downs lying empty.

Everything from abandoned pubs to derelict factories are available for those with a keen eye.

'On today's show, I'll be meeting a first-time buyer

'considering taking the plunge to embrace life on the ocean wave.'

-You seem to be smiling quite a lot.

-Yeah, I'm getting face ache already.

'We'll meet people who have taken big risks to get the home of their dreams.'

I'm lucky because I have a very trusting wife who never saw this property before we bought it.

'We follow the property detectives who track down owners of forgotten houses and help breathe new life

'into the neighbourhoods blighted by them.'

You wouldn't know this was the same house.

Sarah McGill and her fiance Charlie Fuller live in the picturesque town of Chesham in Buckinghamshire.

They recently got engaged and are now on the hunt for a unique living space to call home.

They've considered pubs and boats and are determined to find something that stands out.

I think we're looking just for anything with a bit of history,

something that's had a life before it like an old factory or a boat.

-I can't imagine living in a new-build estate or anything like that.

-No.

Sarah is in advertising and Charlie is a graphic designer.

Both work in London, so they're looking for something that's within commuting distance.

They have around £240,000 to spend on a house and any renovations.

We'd look to do as much as possible ourselves.

-Yeah, call the experts when it goes wrong.

-Yeah.

-I don't know. I think we're both up for a challenge for sure.

-Yeah.

They want a challenge and I'll take them at their word.

Leaving Charlie to his work, I'm meeting Sarah to introduce her

to a potential home which might just float her boat.

-Hello, Sarah. I'm Joe.

-Hi, Joe.

-How are you?

-Pretty good.

Tell me, what is it you're looking for?

Ideally, a home that's had a past life,

something that's unique,

something with a bit of history,

-but something we can really make our own as well.

-OK.

I've brought you to Chatham Historic Dockyards for something very unusual,

which means I have to give you one of these.

This might give the game away. It's a life-jacket.

-We're going to go and see a boat.

-OK.

-So a little bit different.

-I imagine that already ticks the box of being quite unique.

-Yeah, that's awesome.

-I won't say any more. Let's go and have a look at it.

-OK.

'There are hundreds of empty boats and barges across the UK

'and over 15,000 people currently live on our waterways.

'They are not everyone's idea of a home, but with a bit of imagination,

'these vessels can be turned into unique living spaces,

'often with the added attraction of the freedom to travel.

'With the right approach, you can create some spectacular results.'

OK, well, look, there's lots of boats. Which one is it? Any ideas?

OK, I'll put you out of your misery. You see that great big thing over there?

That is wicked. I was kind of hoping it was that one.

That's probably the best one along here. That's awesome.

Look at that, unique character. It's Ougree MSI 483.

It was a Belgian minesweeper. It's 107 foot long.

120 tonnes.

There's quite a lot of boat there.

-You seem to be smiling quite a lot.

-Yeah, I'm getting face ache already.

It's very unusual. Is that the sort of thing you were hoping for?

-Right up our street.

-I suggest we hop across to have a look.

-Brilliant.

'Alongside the rest of the Belgian minesweeping fleet, Ougree 483 and its crew of 18

'was in active service from 1958 to 1992.

'The current owner bought the boat from the Belgian navy and used it as a recreational vessel,

'but ill health forced him to sell up.

'Despite having lain empty on its Medway river mooring for six years,

'most of the ship's machinery and technical equipment is still fully functioning.

'The Ougree 483 is on the market for £125,000, and with vision and the right approach,

'could provide Sarah and Charlie with a unique home.'

This is very much still a boat. It's quite compartmentalised. You'd expect that with a boat.

You have to use your imagination to see through that, but if you can visualise how the rooms divide up,

-it's the equivalent of a three-bedroom house.

-OK.

So first impressions before we go downstairs?

-Absolutely insane, but amazing.

-Insane?

-Yeah.

-What we really need to do is take a look below deck and see what you make of that.

-Definitely.

'Sarah seems unfazed so far,

'but I wonder what she's going to make of what we find below deck?

'The main bulkheads are divided up into offices and sailors' quarters.

'There's also a kitchen, a bathroom and a large saloon area

'which could be a great living space.

'All of these areas could be opened up in a number of ways, depending on Sarah and Charlie's needs.'

Right, come on through, Sarah.

There are two rooms like this. The one next door is for the captain. This would be the officers' mess.

There's four bunks there and a sort of general living area here, but it's tiny, isn't it?

Yeah, I guess we'd probably knock a few bits out here and there.

You have to open it up and see which ones you can join.

There's no planning permission. No-one is saying, "You've got to keep this or that."

You have free rein in that respect which is great.

The problem is you don't want to be knocking down a wall

that in some way impacts on the structural stability of a floating vessel.

-Definitely not.

-The important thing is to obviously get specialist contractors in.

In terms of all the equipment, keeping that as a feature,

it's going to be hard to work out what you would keep and what you would throw away.

Yeah, there's tons of potential. Literally, 120 tonnes of potential here.

'There's a real surprise hidden down below.'

Wow, yeah! So this is clearly, as it's quite loud, the engine room.

That is just the generator going at the moment.

These are the proper engines and they are absolutely mammoth.

-These are 63 litres and these engines do work and the boat could move to a different mooring.

-OK.

-How do you feel about that?

-It's always good to have options, isn't it?

-Yeah.

'Back up on deck, I'm keen to hear Sarah's thoughts.'

It's definitely unique, it definitely needs a lot of work,

but I think actually looking around, I've kind of got that naive kind of excitement,

looking at what I could start doing.

I think of everything, just being down in the engine room,

that's the only thing where I felt just a bit out of my depth, really.

What will be really helpful is later we'll take you to meet someone

who has taken on an extremely unique project, made it into a home and they've come out the other side.

I think they've got some invaluable advice which would be brilliant for you to hear. How does that sound?

-It'll either make my mind up or put me off.

-Exactly.

Sounds brilliant.

Sarah and Charlie wanted something unusual

and you can see when Sarah is looking around that she is buzzing from the original features

and the details of this historic boat,

but with a unique property comes unique problems.

If they take this on, they're going to need a huge amount of help and I really mean that.

Later on, I'll take Sarah to meet someone who has successfully taken on a similar boat renovation.

But not all sectors of the housing market are quite so "buoyant".

Across Britain, local council empty property officers are carrying out detective work

on our abandoned houses, working tirelessly to bring them back into use.

Dave Carter is one of Enfield Council's most senior EPOs.

When I come across an empty house, I don't see just the bricks and mortar.

I see a potential family house.

Today, David is planning to take drastic action on a local, long-term empty home.

This morning, I'm going to be visiting a property to serve a compulsory purchase order.

This means the Secretary of State has given permission for the council to take possession of this empty house.

We've been forced into this because the owner has refused to negotiate with us.

There's rodent infestations.

The rear kitchen has collapsed and it is internally one of the worst properties I've seen for a long time.

Before he can head out to the house, Dave gets a surprise phone call from the owner.

Obviously, I'd like to meet you today...

You can't meet me today. When would be a good time to meet?

The owner is obviously aware that I intend to visit the property

and affix the notice to the house.

He's not happy, but he wants to meet me and talk about a possible way round it.

All being well, I'll meet with him next week and we can hopefully come to some amenable solution.

Even though Dave has now spoken with the owner,

legally, he still has to serve notice of the compulsory purchase order in person.

He knows I'll stick the notice on the door. It has to be done.

I'm keeping my eyes peeled in case the owner pops up here. He works only a couple of minutes away.

If he does, it gives me a chance to have a chat with him about the process I'm going through.

With the notice fixed on the door, Dave tells the neighbours of council plans for the abandoned home.

-Hello, Mr Lyle.

-Hi.

-I'm Mr Carter from Enfield Council.

Just to let you know that the empty house next door,

the council have obtained a compulsory purchase order

and as part of the legal process we have to fix a notice to the door.

-So we can look forward to a new neighbour soon?

-Hopefully.

The new neighbour will get the place renovated

-and you won't have to live next door to a wreck.

-Look forward to it.

Hopefully, Dave can now get this place back into use as a family home.

The notice has now been served. I'm hoping to meet the owner next week.

But he'll have to come up with firm proposals and a firm timeline.

Without that, the council will have to move forward to take full possession, so here's hoping.

There's a huge variety of empty properties out there

and whether it's a listed building in a remote location or a two-bed semi in a city street,

the same principles apply.

With hard graft, imagination and motivation,

even the most hopeless-looking empty property can be saved from rack and ruin.

In Buckfastleigh, Devon, architect Nicholas Burwell found the perfect family home

in this Grade Two listed building.

We didn't want to take anything from the town,

so we found a property that had already been abandoned for three years.

It had been used as a print workshop, as an assembly room for the pub

and as a bank. People know it as the old bank.

It also had character and I knew I could do something to make it feel like a real home.

People just don't build 18-foot-high ceilings any more. They just don't do it, so why would you change it?

Nicholas made an offer of £235,000, but there was someone he forgot to tell about his purchase.

I'm lucky because I have a very trusting wife who never saw this property before we bought it.

I just made the offer.

Within a week, we had signed the deal, so yeah, maybe I shouldn't have done it that way, but I did.

The property was completely uninhabitable,

but over four years, Nicholas and Alison spent £180,000 and transformed the space

into an incredible contemporary home.

One thing we really enjoyed doing in the house was going out and buying a whole log of chestnut.

And I mean a log this long, 15 metres long.

We had that cut down into boards after it had finished seasoning.

The great thing is you know it's sourced locally, it's good for the local economy and because it comes

in random-width boards with all the blemishes of natural materials,

it sits in an old building well.

Despite being an architect, the conversion held many challenges for Nicholas and his wife.

Actually, if I was doing this as a job, doing all of the planning applications, the drawings,

and all the detailed drawings, it would take me a couple of months, full-time.

I had to fit it in evenings, weekends,

and that got in the way of family things, in the way of being nice to my wife.

When it's your own project and you do it in your spare time, it places enormous demands on you,

so be prepared, if you do it yourself, to have these stresses.

The room that gives me the most pleasure is the kitchen dining area.

The light really flies in there in the morning. Beautiful light.

Just sitting there with your boiled egg and paper and a coffee and the peace and quiet is just fantastic.

It's very easy to see an empty property as an eyesore, but it can represent a real opportunity.

I'm on my way to meet someone who received help when he needed it most from a housing co-operative

who found a way to give people a second chance using derelict homes.

'In London, the Riverlink Housing Co-Operative is working hard to redevelop empty homes.

'They try to meet the need of single homeless people who struggle to get social housing

'by providing them with a home and training in renovation skills.

'Today I'm meeting Nigel Greenwood whose fortunes have changed thanks to Riverlink's work.'

-Nigel, hello. I'm Joe.

-Nigel. Nice to meet you.

'Nigel lost his job and his rented home in quick succession.'

I was doing contract work, the contract ended.

In the private sector I can claim housing benefit, which I did.

They contact the agency to verify I have the tenancy.

The agents rang me and said, "The owner doesn't want people on benefits in his accommodation."

-So they served notice on me.

-So suddenly you've got no job, your contract's come to an end,

and your landlord says, "I don't want you around on benefits."

-And that's it, you're out.

-Exactly.

'But Riverlink gave Nigel a second chance and the training and skills to help renovate

'this empty home on London's North Circular.

'Empty for a number of years, this had fallen into serious disrepair and was a magnet for squatters.

'But Nigel and other members of the Riverlink co-operative have transformed it into a safe home

'rented at an affordable price.'

This is the living room, renovated about five years ago now.

-Quite cosy, secondary glazing, so it's quite warm as well.

-Yeah. Very comfortable.

This is the kitchen.

Renovated, white furniture provided as well.

This house we've converted into flats, so we've had to put a shower under the stairs

and the wash basin and the loo.

It's great to hear of an organisation dedicated to rejuvenating buildings

and also teaching people new skills.

It helps foster and maintain a sense of community

and that could be beneficial here and in so many other areas across the UK.

Back in Chesham, Sarah McGill and fiance Charlie Fuller are looking for an unusual space to set up home.

I took them at their word and showed Sarah a former Belgian minesweeper on the Medway that's up for sale.

With some imagination, this sea-faring vessel could be transformed into an amazing home.

And Sarah really seemed enthused by what she saw.

Absolutely insane, but amazing.

'Now I'm taking her to Southwark to see how, with the right approach,

'boats can become spacious and characterful family homes.'

-Here we are.

-Hello!

-Hello! Can we come in?

-Welcome aboard! Come through.

-Thank you.

'In 2003, shipping lawyer Hannah Cash and her restaurateur husband Nicholas bought a former coal barge

'and began an epic eight-year renovation project. The barge, now known as Katharine of London,

'was far from ship-shape.'

When we first purchased her, she was pretty much a shell, but we then fully converted her,

so we put in skylights, partition walls, a new kitchen and a bathroom.

And then we just made it habitable.

Converting a barge while living on it came with its own challenges.

There was a lot of unforeseen things on the technical aspect that took a lot longer than anticipated.

You're not dealing with a house. The lines are difficult and the floors aren't even.

-It was hard, but worth it.

-They purchased her for £100,000

and spent another £150,000 renovating her, but Hannah and Nicholas and daughter Liliana

now have a unique home with an enviable lifestyle.

It's an amazing thing to do to travel with your home.

You've got all your home comforts and it's very nice waking up in different places.

It's a lovely way to bring up a child on the water.

We have swans that visit the portholes for bread. We feed ducks. It's lovely.

It's really nice and very different for a child. Very free.

All boat conversions pose different challenges, but the principles remain the same.

-I'm hoping Sarah gleans some practical advice.

-This is Katharine of London. Here's the galley.

-And this is the saloon.

-Wow. The first thing that strikes you

is the space and the size of it. It's really unusual.

We wanted something spacious and airy and a bit of a wow factor and it does achieve it.

-It really is quite a place. Sarah?

-It's absolutely incredible.

From the outside it looks really neat, but I would not have expected the size inside.

-And the spaciousness.

-The best thing is we didn't need planning permission and we could really

-do as we wanted to do.

-Who did you involve? Did you have a history of renovating boats?

-No.

I didn't know anything about the technicalities or renovating.

We spoke to lots of people, we viewed lots of boats

and then we just commissioned people to help us. Specialists.

-How did you know that she was watertight? Underwater surveys?

-Of course, yeah.

Always have a survey with a boat.

Every six years you have to haul it out of the water, paint the bottom, take the barnacles off.

-Constant maintenance.

-Whatever the purchase price is, set aside 10% every year for maintenance.

But life isn't all about maintenance. There's plenty of time to enjoy the perks of this life.

-So this is the deck.

-Wow. This is a great space for summer, enjoying fresh air.

-Absolutely.

A great view of the marina and of where you are.

You both worked full-time when you took this on. How did you work it?

It was difficult. You just have to say goodbye to your weekends and evenings

and just work around it, really. It wasn't easy, but the rewards of finishing it make it worth it.

You've lived on boats for many years. I'm just wondering what Sarah needs to bear in mind.

-It's not for everyone.

-No, it's not. I'd never lived on a boat before so it was all new to me,

but I knew that I liked boats and I wanted to live near the water.

If that's what you think as well, I'm sure it's for you. You have to embrace living on a boat.

-And embrace the rocking!

-The motion of the ocean, yeah.

-Thank you so much.

-Pleasure.

-It's such a joy to see such a unique and unusual home.

-Good luck. I hope you go for it.

-Yeah. I'll definitely be in touch!

-Any questions you've got, I'd love to.

In Enfield, empty property officer Dave Carter is devoted to bringing derelict houses back to use.

But it's not always a smooth journey getting an empty home back to its former glory.

Last year we featured this four-bedroom house which had lain empty for over 10 years.

This once-loved home had been squatted and all requests from Dave to meet the owner were ignored.

Dave was eventually granted a compulsory purchase order and the council sold it at auction

to a local property developer.

A legal obligation of the sale was that they renovate the house.

Having worked hard for over a decade to rescue the property, Dave is keen to meet with the developer

to see the transformation.

Last time I saw him, I was handing over the keys. Now, 12 months later,

I'm really excited to see what progress he's made.

-Morning!

-Hi. How are you?

-We've done a lot of work.

-You've got the extension. Looking good.

-Yes, yeah.

-It's changed a lot.

-Shall we go in?

Come in and have a look.

A full refurb has been carried out and it now provides affordable housing for locals.

-Oh, lovely.

-Yes. Can you see the difference?

You've done a very good job. I remember that corner, the ceiling was completely down.

There was a big hole there.

-This was one of the worst rooms, if you remember.

-I do, yes.

-It was dirty and smelly.

-Yes.

-You've done an excellent job.

You wouldn't know this was the same house. ..Oh, you've transformed it.

-The squatters had had a good go at that one.

-The pipes were all cut.

-And the water was coming out.

-Excellent. I'm very pleased.

As part of the renovations, he's built two new bedrooms, converted the loft and built an extension.

This is a real success story for Dave and it appears that all his hard work was worth it.

I've dealt with this house for 10 years and I never thought the day would come,

-so well done.

-You're welcome.

-I'll be in touch. Bye bye.

'It's a most satisfying part'

of the job to see a house transformed. When you first arrive

and it's been squatted and it's been empty and neglected,

you think, "I'll never get this house back into use." It takes time, but eventually you get there.

And today's the day that we finally sign it off.

'Earlier I met Sarah McGill, who's looking for an unusual place for her and her fiance Charlie.

'We viewed a disused minesweeper which made quite an impression.

'And we met a home owner who renovated an old barge into a spectacular family abode.

'So, in light of what she's seen, how does Sarah feel about taking on an unusual empty home?'

Sarah, having seen a completed houseboat, what are your thoughts?

It's definitely opened my mind to the potential.

The potential of the one we saw. Actually seeing what can happen is incredible.

To see how the transformation can be made, does that lift your spirits?

Yeah, and also terrifies me at the same time! But it's definitely the challenge and the prospect

of getting something like that. The challenge is the exciting thing.

-So what happens next? Are you raring to go?

-The next step is to convince Charlie to come and view it as well

and see if he has the same cheesy grin! And then get going, really.

I'm so pleased that it's been an infectious day that's gripped you

-and I wish you all the very best.

-You have to come round for a cup of tea when we move in!

Empty buildings like pubs or shops or even empty boats face the risk of falling into further disrepair

if they're not brought back into use. So if people with determination and imagination, like Sarah,

can take that leap of faith and help rescue them, not only are homes saved from the scrapheap,

but, of course, the local community benefits as well.

Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd - 2012

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