0:00:02 > 0:00:04Up and down the country,
0:00:04 > 0:00:06there are properties waiting to be brought back to life.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09I'll be discovering why and how you can turn a diamond in the rough
0:00:09 > 0:00:11into a gem of a home.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14We'll be following the Empty Property Officers
0:00:14 > 0:00:17whose job it is to track down the owners of these forgotten houses
0:00:17 > 0:00:19and get them back into use.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22And I'll be finding out more
0:00:22 > 0:00:24about more about our housing stock, our history
0:00:24 > 0:00:27and why we should both be preserving and reinventing
0:00:27 > 0:00:28Britain's empty homes.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40The decision to take on an empty property
0:00:40 > 0:00:43and turn it into your home is never a simple one.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46In taking on a building that's been standing vacant, there's always
0:00:46 > 0:00:48an element of the unknown.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51But if you are prepared to do your research, plan and work hard,
0:00:51 > 0:00:55the benefits and rewards can far outweigh the risks.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02On today's show, I'll be meeting a couple who've taken on
0:01:02 > 0:01:06a disused house and have plans for a major renovation...
0:01:06 > 0:01:09In effect, it'll be two houses, so you've got old at the front
0:01:09 > 0:01:11and brand spanking new at the back.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16..I'll see what's being done to get houses lived in again
0:01:16 > 0:01:18along one of Britain's busiest roads...
0:01:18 > 0:01:23I think the community's getting back on its feet, following the blight and uncertainty.
0:01:23 > 0:01:24..and we'll be following
0:01:24 > 0:01:27one of Britain's Empty Property Officers, as they work
0:01:27 > 0:01:30to bring abandoned buildings back into use.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32Finally, for local people who live in this street,
0:01:32 > 0:01:34it's going to be an end of a nightmare for them.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39Jason Rodd and his fiancee Gail Dewing recently spent
0:01:39 > 0:01:43£200,000 on this detached cottage in the Nottinghamshire village
0:01:43 > 0:01:46of Southwell, home to the Bramley Apple.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48Dating back to the 17th century,
0:01:48 > 0:01:52it's believed to have been a former orchard worker's cottage.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54I think we fell for it a bit,
0:01:54 > 0:01:57even with the agent's photograph on the front of the details.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00It was obviously taken on a sunny day and it did look
0:02:00 > 0:02:02really nice and classic and cottage-y.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06When the previous owner moved into a retirement home,
0:02:06 > 0:02:08the house fell into disrepair.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11Gail and Jason are planning a total overhaul.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14We almost felt sorry for the building...
0:02:14 > 0:02:17The brickwork and everything is so lovely at front,
0:02:17 > 0:02:19and then you've got this utterly hideous
0:02:19 > 0:02:21'70s flat-roof extension on the back.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23A project on this scale is new for both of them
0:02:23 > 0:02:26and while Jason has done some renovation work before,
0:02:26 > 0:02:28for Gail, this is a step into the unknown.
0:02:29 > 0:02:34I have no experience, no physical, manual skills,
0:02:34 > 0:02:37but I do have vision of where we're going to get to.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42I'm meeting Jason and Gail at their cottage to discuss their plans
0:02:42 > 0:02:45and hear their ideas on how to unite the old house
0:02:45 > 0:02:48and the brand-new modern extension they're looking to build.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52So, guys, tell me about your beautiful cottage here.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54It was previously empty for over six months
0:02:54 > 0:02:56and we're in the process of renovating it.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59- Can we go inside and have a look round?- Absolutely.
0:02:59 > 0:03:00Brilliant. Lead the way.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04At the moment, the house has three bedrooms and a small living area,
0:03:04 > 0:03:08but Gail and Jason have big ideas for the property.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11So, we're in the main part of the cottage, the living room.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14- That's correct.- It's beautiful, really cosy size.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16Now, where do you start on a project like this?
0:03:16 > 0:03:20The first thing we had to do was get the house dried out.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23It was absolutely damp, you could smell it as soon as you came in.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27So, the first brief was get as much off the walls as you possibly could,
0:03:27 > 0:03:31which... Jason has done all the work in here, as you can see.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33Already, the house is drying out.
0:03:33 > 0:03:34What's the grand plan?
0:03:34 > 0:03:37What's your vision for the place, what do you want to do with it?
0:03:37 > 0:03:39Well, it's a home for life.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41It will be three stages,
0:03:41 > 0:03:45so...renovating and repairing the old two-up, two-down cottage.
0:03:46 > 0:03:51Stage two is an extension, so big, family...a modern kitchen.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54So, everything outside of this two-up, two-down
0:03:54 > 0:03:57will be modern, new and contemporary.
0:03:57 > 0:04:02And we'll be living as a family in that part of the building.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04And then, we're putting another annexe outside of the house.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07A completely separate new build at the north end of the property.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09And the wood burner here is temporary?
0:04:09 > 0:04:12It's going to help you to dry out the place and give you some warmth
0:04:12 > 0:04:15- while you work.- Yeah.- Are you on gas here? How does it work?
0:04:15 > 0:04:17There's been nothing to the property whatsoever.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20We're currently researching all the renewable options,
0:04:20 > 0:04:22which we're really interested in, apart from the cost.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26So tricky, isn't it? Because you're plying all your efforts and energies
0:04:26 > 0:04:29into making this a home for life, and all the energy solutions
0:04:29 > 0:04:31out there that are perhaps the greenest
0:04:31 > 0:04:34do require quite a lot of investment upfront.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36I'm curious where this extension would go.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38- Shall we go through to the back?- Yeah, sure.
0:04:39 > 0:04:40This might be a small cottage,
0:04:40 > 0:04:44but it's a massive renovation that Jason and Gail are taking on.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51Where are we here? What was this on the back of the house?
0:04:51 > 0:04:54Well, this was the previous owner's kitchen.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56Really small space. This is like a warren of rooms here,
0:04:56 > 0:04:59and you've got, I can see, more modern brick there,
0:04:59 > 0:05:01so that's an add-on again, is it?
0:05:01 > 0:05:03That's the 1970s flat-roof extension coming off
0:05:03 > 0:05:05this very tiny original kitchen.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09What is your budget for a project of this size?
0:05:09 > 0:05:10It's a big, big project.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13We're going to try really hard to stick within the £75,000.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16Obviously, it doesn't include stage three,
0:05:16 > 0:05:20which is a complete new build at the other end of the property.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22- Are you living somewhere else at the moment?- Yeah.
0:05:22 > 0:05:23Are you having to pay rent, or...?
0:05:23 > 0:05:26- No, we are actually paying another mortgage.- OK.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28But as soon as we can get a bathroom of sorts
0:05:28 > 0:05:31and some sort of living conditions
0:05:31 > 0:05:33then we will move in.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35Where would you like a bit more help?
0:05:35 > 0:05:37What is it you're still exploring and thinking about
0:05:37 > 0:05:40and developing ideas with?
0:05:40 > 0:05:44Well, we've already mentioned the heating and energy efficiency,
0:05:44 > 0:05:47and also the transition between old and new.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49We're quite adamant... In effect, it'll be two houses,
0:05:49 > 0:05:54so you've got old at the front and brand spanking new at the back...
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Making sure it's a smooth transition,
0:05:56 > 0:05:58but a wow factor at the same time.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01- It's difficult to visualise that at the moment.- Yeah.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03You just have to hope you're going the right way,
0:06:03 > 0:06:05but it's nice to see when it's already been done
0:06:05 > 0:06:07and get some guidance from that.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09Look, as I say, you do seem to be on track,
0:06:09 > 0:06:12but it's always good to get some more guidance
0:06:12 > 0:06:15and see how other people have tackled this kind of thing.
0:06:15 > 0:06:16There's always room for more ideas.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20Later on, we'll go and see another period property that's had a complete renovation.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23I think you'll take a lot from it, and it'll be nice to speak
0:06:23 > 0:06:25to the guys that have been through a complete project.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28We'll get as much help and advice there - and, really, inspiration.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31You can rule things in, rule things out, see what you like.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33- Sound good?- Yeah, definitely. Thanks.- Great.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38What a beautiful little cottage!
0:06:38 > 0:06:41You can see why Gail and Jason are besotted with this place,
0:06:41 > 0:06:43and they've started in exactly the right way,
0:06:43 > 0:06:45sorting out the structure to make sure it's all nice and sound.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48But they've definitely got a lot ahead of them, so it will be good
0:06:48 > 0:06:51for them to meet people who've been through this before,
0:06:51 > 0:06:54exchange ideas, and just get that little bit of extra inspiration.
0:06:58 > 0:06:59We've all walked past them and possibly
0:06:59 > 0:07:01not even given them a second thought,
0:07:01 > 0:07:05but abandoned buildings lying disused and desolate
0:07:05 > 0:07:07have the potential to become homes once again.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11Luckily, there are Empty Property Officers up and down the country
0:07:11 > 0:07:15working to bring these forgotten places back into use.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17In Lewisham, south-east London, it's the job of Nick Long
0:07:17 > 0:07:20to find new owners for the unloved properties on his patch.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22Since he's been in the post,
0:07:22 > 0:07:26he and his team have brought around 3,000 empties back into use.
0:07:28 > 0:07:29Today he's on his way to a house
0:07:29 > 0:07:32which has been empty for the past six months.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36Nick is working with the family of the owner to get it lived in again.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40It's a property that is owned by an elderly gentleman,
0:07:40 > 0:07:43and we're working with the family to try and make an assessment
0:07:43 > 0:07:46of whether this property can be saved and made safe.
0:07:46 > 0:07:51Sadly, the owner is unable to live independently and has moved out.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54Nick is concerned about possible structural problems
0:07:54 > 0:07:57at the front of the house, so he's called in his colleague Kevin Foley,
0:07:57 > 0:08:01a building control officer from Lewisham Council.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04It looks to me as though there's a certain amount of subsidence
0:08:04 > 0:08:05to the front bay.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08I've noticed that there's chunks falling off the building, actually.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12If it's as dangerous as I think it possibly could be,
0:08:12 > 0:08:15we would need to get contractors in today or tomorrow...
0:08:15 > 0:08:16But I think we need to have a closer look
0:08:16 > 0:08:19- to see what we're dealing with. - OK, let's do that.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22With signs of possible subsidence
0:08:22 > 0:08:24and the risk of injury to the public,
0:08:24 > 0:08:27Nick and Kevin need to assess the structure of the bay window
0:08:27 > 0:08:28more closely.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32See the diagonal cracks that indicate...
0:08:33 > 0:08:35that there has been movement on the bay and...
0:08:37 > 0:08:40..they're quite deep and wide and they are more than superficial.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44They're going all the way through the brickwork, you can see.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46Nick and Kevin continue their inspection
0:08:46 > 0:08:49on the first floor of the house.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52You can clearly see daylight
0:08:52 > 0:08:55through the mullions and the brickwork.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57And probably...
0:08:57 > 0:08:58Yep, just...
0:09:00 > 0:09:02As you can see, if that was to fall on someone's head...
0:09:02 > 0:09:04Do quite a bit of damage.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06I think, looking at the balcony next door,
0:09:06 > 0:09:09that's something we'll need to go and have a closer look at.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15Here we've got this stone balcony,
0:09:15 > 0:09:19which you can see is moving away from the main wall of the building.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23Obviously, if that was to fall forward,
0:09:23 > 0:09:26that could do some serious damage to anyone who's passing below.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29Are you coming to a view that this is a dangerous structure?
0:09:29 > 0:09:31This thing could fall over next week.
0:09:31 > 0:09:32Obviously, we can't take the risk,
0:09:32 > 0:09:35so, as a matter of urgency, we want to get our contractors in
0:09:35 > 0:09:38just to make this front bay safe.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44It's clear some urgent structural repairs need to be done.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46Only then can this house become a home once more.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51We'll serve a Dangerous Structure Notice on the property,
0:09:51 > 0:09:53get our contractors in,
0:09:53 > 0:09:55make the front of the property safe and secure
0:09:55 > 0:09:58and that allows the occupiers or the owners of the building
0:09:58 > 0:10:03some time to arrange for repairs to be carried out.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06Since Nick's visit, the council has brought in a specialist contractor
0:10:06 > 0:10:10to put scaffolding in place, securing the structure
0:10:10 > 0:10:12of the front bay window.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15Taking on an empty dilapidated building
0:10:15 > 0:10:18can be a tough and stressful undertaking.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20But the stunning results that can be achieved
0:10:20 > 0:10:23are just one of the reasons why it's becoming a desirable way
0:10:23 > 0:10:25to create your dream home.
0:10:25 > 0:10:29And that's exactly what Ian and Tina Walker found
0:10:29 > 0:10:31when they decided to take a gamble
0:10:31 > 0:10:33on this Grade II listed thatched cottage
0:10:33 > 0:10:36in Peterborough in 2006.
0:10:36 > 0:10:37It was condemned, empty,
0:10:37 > 0:10:40derelict, full of scrap,
0:10:40 > 0:10:42on the verge of collapse
0:10:42 > 0:10:43and a building worth saving.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48When I first saw it and it was covered up with a tarpaulin,
0:10:48 > 0:10:51I actually hadn't seen that before. You know, a house wrapped up.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54It hadn't been lived in for around 50 years
0:10:54 > 0:10:58and the cottage was on the local Houses At Risk register.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00The Walkers bought it for £47,500
0:11:00 > 0:11:05and spent a further £92,000 on the major renovation work needed.
0:11:05 > 0:11:10To get a blank canvas, effectively, although it was a restoration...
0:11:10 > 0:11:13That I could also do it in the way that I felt that it should be done,
0:11:13 > 0:11:16was brilliant. Just life...
0:11:16 > 0:11:19Well, nearly a 30-year dream come true for me.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22As a joiner, Ian could dedicate his skills
0:11:22 > 0:11:25to bringing the house back into use and making it a home again.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29Generally speaking, it was in such a bad way
0:11:29 > 0:11:33that if there was anything that was in good order, it was a bonus.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36We tried to keep as much of its original fabric -
0:11:36 > 0:11:39and he definitely did - as we could,
0:11:39 > 0:11:41but to reuse it our way.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44By taking on a condemned house,
0:11:44 > 0:11:47Ian and Tina were able to create their idyllic family home
0:11:47 > 0:11:50for much less than if they'd bought it already renovated
0:11:50 > 0:11:54and it's now worth £275,000.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59The finish was when people kept telling me how lovely it looked.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01You just turn round and look at it
0:12:01 > 0:12:04and you might get a flashback of what it was, and you think, "Wow!"
0:12:04 > 0:12:06Whatever we've done,
0:12:06 > 0:12:10and whatever efforts we put in here or endured or went through,
0:12:10 > 0:12:14it's a house now that will stand for the next 200 years,
0:12:14 > 0:12:15and that's a big deal.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22Across the country, road building projects that have stalled
0:12:22 > 0:12:27can often lead to problems with large numbers of empty properties.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30The area around the North Circular here in Enfield
0:12:30 > 0:12:32has suffered decades of neglect.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35Years of problems with fly-tipping, squatting,
0:12:35 > 0:12:39arson and vermin have made places uninhabitable.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42But with 75,000 people on London's waiting list,
0:12:42 > 0:12:46these homes are resources that need to be used.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49Back in the '60s and '70s,
0:12:49 > 0:12:51the Government worked to compulsory purchase houses
0:12:51 > 0:12:54along this two-mile stretch of the A406
0:12:54 > 0:12:57to make way for a road widening scheme that never materialised,
0:12:57 > 0:13:01leaving hundreds of homes to fall into disrepair.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06But today, more than 40 years later,
0:13:06 > 0:13:09250 properties are in their final phase of being refurbished
0:13:09 > 0:13:13and the entire area is being brought back to life.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15I've come to meet Ken Barnett, the project manager
0:13:15 > 0:13:19from Notting Hill Housing Trust to find out more.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22Ken, remind me, how did we get to a situation where so many properties
0:13:22 > 0:13:27along the A406, the North Circular, were sitting empty for years?
0:13:27 > 0:13:30It started back in the 1960s, when the Department Of Transport
0:13:30 > 0:13:32started to buy up properties,
0:13:32 > 0:13:36planning to make the road into a dual carriageway.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38That decision was subsequently shelved but, in the meantime,
0:13:38 > 0:13:42total uncertainty and total blight of the area.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45The Housing Trust purchased the houses from Transport For London
0:13:45 > 0:13:47and is in the process of bringing them back into use.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51What's the cost of doing this? What sort of money is involved?
0:13:51 > 0:13:53We are spending just in excess of £10 million
0:13:53 > 0:13:55of refurbishment costs on that.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58That includes the clean-up of the gardens
0:13:58 > 0:14:00and everything that was squatted.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03In terms of the works we're doing, we're doing, broadly,
0:14:03 > 0:14:06new roofs, new kitchens, new bathrooms,
0:14:06 > 0:14:09we're reconfiguring some properties, just to make them more usable,
0:14:09 > 0:14:12bringing them up to modern-day standards.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16Finally, what difference does all this make? How important is it?
0:14:16 > 0:14:19I think the community is getting back on its feet,
0:14:19 > 0:14:21following the blight and uncertainty
0:14:21 > 0:14:23which has gone on for a long, long time.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26And one local resident, Maureen Stephenson,
0:14:26 > 0:14:28has benefited from the housing project.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31Having lived in the area for 14 years, she's now living
0:14:31 > 0:14:33in one of the improved properties,
0:14:33 > 0:14:37complete with double glazing to minimise the road noise.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41Before the regeneration started along the A406, it was really bad,
0:14:41 > 0:14:45the houses were derelict and run down, there were squatters,
0:14:45 > 0:14:49people used to fly-tip, dump rubbish everywhere.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53You really felt like you were living in a slum. It wasn't very nice.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56The work being done here really has made
0:14:56 > 0:14:58a positive difference to the area.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02It is so lovely to see all those houses back in use
0:15:02 > 0:15:04and, you know, nicely decorated...
0:15:04 > 0:15:06And families are going to move in
0:15:06 > 0:15:09so that we can have a community again.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13For so many years, when you drove down this road,
0:15:13 > 0:15:15you'd just see boarded-up house after boarded-up house,
0:15:15 > 0:15:19but now, finally, the area is being brought back to life.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22And it's not just about revitalising the community,
0:15:22 > 0:15:25it's also about getting people off the housing waiting lists
0:15:25 > 0:15:29and providing much-needed homes for families.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35I'm with Jason Rodd and Gail Dewing
0:15:35 > 0:15:37who bought a derelict house which they plan to renovate
0:15:37 > 0:15:40and add to with a new, contemporary extension.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43I want them to meet someone who's carried out a similar project
0:15:43 > 0:15:45and can give them some great advice.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48Right, guys, this is the property I want you to see.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51Detached red-brick house dating back to 1903.
0:15:51 > 0:15:56It was empty for a whole year. It was in a pretty poor condition.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58Peter and his wife worked on it, he dedicated himself to it
0:15:58 > 0:16:00for a whole year, just to do it up.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02He's been working on it in bits ever since,
0:16:02 > 0:16:04so a lot of work has gone into it.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06- I think we should go and say hello.- OK.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10Interior designer Peter Tasker and wife Vicky
0:16:10 > 0:16:13fell for the red-brick Victorian detached house at first sight.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18The front of the house was what first drew us to it,
0:16:18 > 0:16:22because there were so many nice architectural features.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24But the inside was quite a different story.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27Yes, very damp and there were lots of cracks everywhere.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31The couple bought the house in 2005 for £300,000
0:16:31 > 0:16:34and to save money, they decided to live in the property
0:16:34 > 0:16:35whilst work was ongoing.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38Well, we got the keys, and then we literally all moved in
0:16:38 > 0:16:40and started working.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42Yeah, we piled all our possessions in this room
0:16:42 > 0:16:44and started painting throughout.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47Impressively, Peter did much of the work himself,
0:16:47 > 0:16:50only calling in the professionals for the specialist jobs.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53We wouldn't have been able to do the project without
0:16:53 > 0:16:55basically deciding we were going to do the work ourselves.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59We dug out the floor, we mixed the gobo...
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- I mean, we did all of that, didn't we?- Yeah.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04And for those who don't know, gobo is concrete,
0:17:04 > 0:17:07and these people clearly know their stuff.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09So, Peter's meeting us today to offer
0:17:09 > 0:17:11some ideas and inspiration for Gail and Jason.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15- It's quite an extension, isn't it?- Wow.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18- Yeah.- Absolutely.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20- It's a fantastic space.- Yeah.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24So, it strikes me as something quite similar to your plans,
0:17:24 > 0:17:27in that it's extending out the back, it's getting that width
0:17:27 > 0:17:29and that one big, open-plan space.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32As soon as you walk in, you feel it's cosy,
0:17:32 > 0:17:35yet light and airy at the same time.
0:17:36 > 0:17:42For me, this is definitely the aspect that I wanted... Well, want.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44You know, you walk in and there's a wow factor.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47And the light... Have you thought about where you'd bring light in,
0:17:47 > 0:17:50or how you would use windows in your extension?
0:17:50 > 0:17:53Seeing the amount of natural light you've managed to bring in here,
0:17:53 > 0:17:56it's something we're going to maybe pay a bit more attention to
0:17:56 > 0:17:58before we make any big decisions on that,
0:17:58 > 0:18:01because it is really impressive and it helps to set the whole room off
0:18:01 > 0:18:03with so much natural light. It's lovely.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06You guys are looking at energy and heating solutions.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09- What are you...? You're on gas here, aren't you?- Yes.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11Did you think of using anything else,
0:18:11 > 0:18:14or going for any particular green technologies?
0:18:14 > 0:18:18I looked into solar panels, I looked into turbines...
0:18:18 > 0:18:20but the initial outlay was too much in every case.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24Having underfloor heating makes a big difference.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27Is that throughout here, or throughout the ground floor?
0:18:27 > 0:18:29- Throughout the ground floor.- Yeah.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31The beauty of this is you've got your insulation
0:18:31 > 0:18:34and then a slab of concrete.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36What happens is it heats that concrete
0:18:36 > 0:18:38and then that becomes like a storage heater.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41So, how sympathetic did you keep the look of it from the outside?
0:18:41 > 0:18:45Did you stay with the red brick? That's what you're thinking, right?
0:18:45 > 0:18:47We went with the Imperial sized brick.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51I sourced the blue engineering bricks with the chamfer,
0:18:51 > 0:18:53which I had to have handmade.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56The bricklayer did really good...
0:18:56 > 0:18:58they call it dental work, to try and match the existing corbelling
0:18:58 > 0:19:00and that sort of thing.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04Yeah, I think when you look, it is in-keeping.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07- That's what you think, be as sympathetic as possible?- Yeah.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10These guys are thinking of getting a bathroom, a bedroom ready
0:19:10 > 0:19:13and trying to moving as soon as possible to be there.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16- Is that something you would advise? - Yes, I would.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19Because otherwise you're paying for two...accommodations
0:19:19 > 0:19:22and you would be heating two areas too.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24As a reality check, how tough is it?
0:19:24 > 0:19:26It's not that pleasant, is it?
0:19:26 > 0:19:28It isn't.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30You just have to enjoy your food with dust in,
0:19:30 > 0:19:33and enjoy doing a lot of cleaning.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36But you do end up with some nice results.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40That's not going to put you off. I sense the usual determination.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44Yeah, we're determined and we both know it will be worth it in the end.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46You know, it's the endgame, isn't it?
0:19:46 > 0:19:49I love this, I think it's an amazing space.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51As you said, it really does have that wow factor.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54But, I think we should also look around a bit further,
0:19:54 > 0:19:57- so shall we pop to the front of the house?- Yes.
0:20:01 > 0:20:02Peter and his wife carried out
0:20:02 > 0:20:05a complete renovation from the ground up,
0:20:05 > 0:20:08creating a truly stunning family home.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14Right, this is your front sitting room.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17Huge project, it's a big house, what did you budget for that?
0:20:17 > 0:20:22We budgeted about 40,000, initially.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24As the project has taken more and more time,
0:20:24 > 0:20:27obviously we've eaten into that,
0:20:27 > 0:20:30- but we seem to be pretty much on budget.- Really?- Yeah.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34How much of it was spent on the extension, as a proportion of that?
0:20:34 > 0:20:36I think the whole extension,
0:20:36 > 0:20:40just the infrastructure of getting it built,
0:20:40 > 0:20:41was about 15,000.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44It's encouraging you can add on such a big space
0:20:44 > 0:20:47like you have for that kind of budget.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50When you first moved in, did you have a clear idea that
0:20:50 > 0:20:54you were going to keep the old part of the house very much separate,
0:20:54 > 0:20:56or did you feel that you wanted to integrate?
0:20:56 > 0:20:59Well, we always quite liked the idea of eclectic,
0:20:59 > 0:21:03in the sense that you may have old pieces and old bits,
0:21:03 > 0:21:05and then you walk into the new,
0:21:05 > 0:21:07but you've still got old elements there.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10I think here, it's quite unapologetic, quite honest...
0:21:10 > 0:21:13You just go from quite new to a bit older.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15You don't have to feel that you have to sort of...
0:21:15 > 0:21:17- Stage it.- Yes, exactly.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19We've got a 200-year-old cottage
0:21:19 > 0:21:23and it's going to... We can't modernise it,
0:21:23 > 0:21:25we don't want to modernise it...
0:21:25 > 0:21:27I feel quite comfortable with it, don't you?
0:21:27 > 0:21:30The change in between the two.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33I think it's quite nice that you've got effectively two houses.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35Peter, thank you for showing us around.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37Amazing to see that kitchen,
0:21:37 > 0:21:39and how well also the rest of the house works with it,
0:21:39 > 0:21:42so it's been really great, and I hope it's been really useful.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45- Absolutely, yeah.- Fantastic. - Thank you very much.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50In Lewisham, south-east London,
0:21:50 > 0:21:53Empty Property Officer Nick Long is heading to a house
0:21:53 > 0:21:56that's been vacant for the past 20 years.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59It's been a long-term problem case for Nick until recently
0:21:59 > 0:22:01when a new owner took it on.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04I'm visiting to see what progress the owner's making.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07I understand he bought the property in auction,
0:22:07 > 0:22:09and we're trying to find out his timescale,
0:22:09 > 0:22:11what plans he has for the property...
0:22:11 > 0:22:13We're very, very keen to see this property
0:22:13 > 0:22:16brought back into good repair and, hopefully, finally,
0:22:16 > 0:22:17after probably 20 years,
0:22:17 > 0:22:20this property will come back into use and occupation.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24Over the years, the property fell into a state of dereliction
0:22:24 > 0:22:27and was the subject of an arson attack.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30It was a blight on an otherwise well-kept residential street.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35I think last time I came, it was simply a shell of a property.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38It's really wonderful to see this property actually painted
0:22:38 > 0:22:40and new windows are in.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44Today he's meeting the new owner, Lyndon Cartwright,
0:22:44 > 0:22:47to see how the renovation is progressing.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49- Hi, Lyndon. Good to see you. - Nice to see you, sir.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51Making good progress, by the look of it.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53- Come on in, have a check. - Looking really good.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56As with all empty properties, Nick wants to make sure
0:22:56 > 0:22:58the work will be completed as soon as possible
0:22:58 > 0:23:00and the house lived in again.
0:23:00 > 0:23:05I can recall this property being just a derelict, burnt-out shell
0:23:05 > 0:23:07and literally just a couple of walls standing,
0:23:07 > 0:23:09and it just seemed a massive project.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13Is there anything you haven't renewed or had to replace in the property?
0:23:13 > 0:23:15Just the first two and a half metres of wall...
0:23:15 > 0:23:17Brickwork, masonry, that sort of thing.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21- That was the only thing that was salvageable?- That's it.- Right.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23Why did you take on this challenge?
0:23:23 > 0:23:25It was an exciting opportunity
0:23:25 > 0:23:28to have a go at building a four-bed house,
0:23:28 > 0:23:30which we couldn't have afforded otherwise.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34- Have you kept within your budget? - I think we're somewhere near.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37I don't think we'll quite know until the end.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40But, fingers crossed, we shouldn't be too far away.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42Basically, you can see we've followed next door
0:23:42 > 0:23:45on the front facade, with the addition of the Mansard roof.
0:23:45 > 0:23:50And on the rear renovation, you can see how we've extended
0:23:50 > 0:23:52and given us a much bigger area on the ground floor.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55At the rear, it's very clear to see the house has been
0:23:55 > 0:23:59almost completely rebuilt, with the addition of a large extension
0:23:59 > 0:24:02on the ground floor and also into the roof space.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08It really does look striking, all the progress you're making.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11What's the time frame for final completion?
0:24:13 > 0:24:16We think we've got three months left on site
0:24:16 > 0:24:19- to finish the internals...- Right.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22..and get it to a habitable state.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25And are your plans to sell it or to move in,
0:24:25 > 0:24:26or what are you planning on doing?
0:24:26 > 0:24:29- We're planning to move in, actually. - You're moving in?- Yeah.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33Having a family living in here will really be fantastic.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36I look forward to seeing you at the housewarming, Nick.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38- It will be a pleasure. - Thanks for meeting me today.
0:24:38 > 0:24:39OK, lead the way.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44The local people who live in this street...
0:24:44 > 0:24:46It's going to be an end of a nightmare for them,
0:24:46 > 0:24:49and finally we're going to see this house come back into life,
0:24:49 > 0:24:53come back into use, and occupied, and that's what we want to see.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03I've been with Jason and Gail, who've taken on an empty property
0:25:03 > 0:25:06and have been getting invaluable advice from someone
0:25:06 > 0:25:08who's been through a similar renovation.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11So, guys, having had a good look round,
0:25:11 > 0:25:13what are your thoughts as you leave?
0:25:13 > 0:25:16Initially, I just thought, "Wow! The house is so different to ours."
0:25:16 > 0:25:22- But, actually, the concept is very, very similar...- Yeah.- Old to new.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24I'm very, very impressed with the extension.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27And a few ideas there are about how you move from
0:25:27 > 0:25:31old, period interiors to very modern, contemporary...
0:25:31 > 0:25:33It doesn't have to be that obvious, does it?
0:25:33 > 0:25:37From old to new, and I shouldn't worry too much about the contrast.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41- As long as it is light, airy and liveable.- That's a really good point.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43I think, in the end, it comes down to confidence.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46It's just different, you go through and it's fine.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49- It doesn't jar, it's OK.- Absolutely. I think there's two points for me.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51I'm going away happier that
0:25:51 > 0:25:55we decided on underfloor heating for the large kitchen space,
0:25:55 > 0:25:57but also that need to go away and think about
0:25:57 > 0:26:00- perhaps more natural light.- Yeah.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04- Give it more thought, definitely. - It wasn't even on our radar, was it?
0:26:04 > 0:26:07It's been really interesting to hear it from someone else's perspective,
0:26:07 > 0:26:09who's been through it.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11You're not alone. People do this all the time.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13It just shows the decisions you've thought through
0:26:13 > 0:26:15are ones that other people have considered as well.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18So, hopefully there's a lot of encouragement there for you.
0:26:18 > 0:26:19Good luck with it.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22It's such a lovely cottage you've got, you're working on,
0:26:22 > 0:26:26you're doing the right things, and I really hope today helps.
0:26:26 > 0:26:27So, yeah, best of luck.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29- Thank you.- Thanks very much.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36It's been really great for Gail and Jason to see this place,
0:26:36 > 0:26:40somewhere that matches their aspirations in so many ways.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43And today, some great advice, encouragement and inspiration
0:26:43 > 0:26:46they can carry with them through every stage of their renovation.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49And what an exciting journey it's going to be,
0:26:49 > 0:26:52as they try to create their perfect home.
0:27:14 > 0:27:19Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd