0:00:02 > 0:00:04Up and down the country there are empty properties just waiting
0:00:04 > 0:00:06to be brought back to life.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08I'll be discovering why and how you can turn
0:00:08 > 0:00:11a diamond in the rough into a gem of a home.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14We'll be following the Empty Property Officers whose
0:00:14 > 0:00:17job 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 > 0:00:23And I'll be finding out more about more about our housing stock,
0:00:23 > 0:00:26our history and why we should both be preserving
0:00:26 > 0:00:28and reinventing Britain's Empty Homes.
0:00:36 > 0:00:40Beautifully furnished and decorated properties will always be high in
0:00:40 > 0:00:43demand but you may need very deep pockets to secure one.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46However, if you consider taking on an empty property,
0:00:46 > 0:00:51you could not just rescue a place in need, but the money you save
0:00:51 > 0:00:54could be spent on restoring the building to its full potential
0:00:54 > 0:00:57and transforming it into your dream home.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04On today's show I'll be meeting an eager couple about to
0:01:04 > 0:01:06take on their first empty home.
0:01:06 > 0:01:11It's quite exciting. It certainly allows you to be a lot more creative,
0:01:11 > 0:01:13- doesn't it.- Yeah, it does.- It's a bit of a blanker canvas.
0:01:14 > 0:01:19I'll be finding out about a failed housing scheme in the North East.
0:01:19 > 0:01:24Instead of a nice block of Victorian housing over quite a few acres,
0:01:24 > 0:01:27you've now got gashes in it.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30And we'll be following one of Britain's Empty Property Officers
0:01:30 > 0:01:33on their quest to bring abandoned homes back into use.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38The house has been subject to break-ins and squatting.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47Steven Bell and Mairi Thompson have lived together
0:01:47 > 0:01:50for a year in Steven's bachelor pad in central Durham,
0:01:50 > 0:01:54but now they've set their sights on a dream home of their own.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58We're hoping to buy somewhere with a bit more character,
0:01:58 > 0:02:01a bit of age to it and somewhere that we can do some work on.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05- Just looking for somewhere... - Together as a bit of a project
0:02:05 > 0:02:07that we can take on together and make our home.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11They've been looking for a period property in the centre of Durham
0:02:11 > 0:02:13but houses don't come cheap here
0:02:13 > 0:02:17so they're prepared to go further afield for their ideal home.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21When we're out on walks we're constantly looking at houses
0:02:21 > 0:02:24that we think might be empty, but we're not quite sure.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27I find the whole process really, really exciting.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30They have a budget of £200,000
0:02:30 > 0:02:33but they've never tackled a big renovation before.
0:02:33 > 0:02:38I think our biggest concerns about renovation would be hidden costs.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40Things that we just didn't spot.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42I wouldn't want us to kind of go in and start knocking down
0:02:42 > 0:02:45the wrong wall and things just go totally wrong.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48Yeah, I think advice and guidance is probably what we need, isn't it?
0:02:48 > 0:02:49Yeah.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57This enthusiastic couple can't wait to get started
0:02:57 > 0:03:00and I really want them to broaden their search, so I'm taking them
0:03:00 > 0:03:03to see an exciting property on the outskirts of town.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08- Morning, guys.- Morning.- I'm Joe. Mairi, nice to meet you.- Morning.
0:03:08 > 0:03:09- Hi, Steve, how are you doing?- Good, thanks.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11This is the property I brought you to see.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14You've been looking in Durham so far. How've you got on?
0:03:14 > 0:03:16We've been concentrating mainly on the Durham City area
0:03:16 > 0:03:19and we keep finding barriers, don't we?
0:03:19 > 0:03:21We've been looking for over a year now and keep getting beat
0:03:21 > 0:03:25by investors and just people just getting in front of us.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27- So, it's competitive.- Very competitive. OK.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30Here we are in Crooke, we're about ten miles from Durham,
0:03:30 > 0:03:31about half an hour in a car probably.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34Today's going to be a little bit different, cos not only are we
0:03:34 > 0:03:37outside the area you normally look in, this property is very different.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39This is a former commercial property, OK.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43- So, I want you to keep an open mind. - OK.- And this is a particularly
0:03:43 > 0:03:47- exciting place, so if you follow me we'll go inside.- Yeah.- Thank you.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52When you are facing a competitive housing market, it's wise to
0:03:52 > 0:03:55widen your search to include unusual properties.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58This commercial unit dates back to the early 1900s
0:03:58 > 0:04:02and has previously been used as a workshop and a car garage,
0:04:02 > 0:04:04with some office space upstairs.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08Right, come on in, guys.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10Wow!
0:04:10 > 0:04:12SHE LAUGHS
0:04:12 > 0:04:17- It's huge.- Not what you expected really, I think.- No.- No.- No.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19Just to give you some bearings...
0:04:19 > 0:04:23So, we have this main warehousey type thing in the middle
0:04:23 > 0:04:28and then there is a building with rooms going along the side.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31When I said you had to keep an open mind, this is why.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33So, what are your first impressions?
0:04:33 > 0:04:36- It's very interesting.- Yeah, it's quite exciting.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38We wanted something that was interesting but unique,
0:04:38 > 0:04:41- and had unique features to it.- Yeah. - And I like the brick work.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44I wouldn't want to change too much about it.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46I quite like the fact that it's exposed.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49There is sort of limitless potential. You can imagine
0:04:49 > 0:04:51spiral staircases going up to those doors.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54You can imagine even a big kitchen/diner up there.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57It certainly allows you to be a lot more creative, doesn't it?
0:04:57 > 0:05:00- Yeah, it does.- It's a bit of a blanker canvas.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04- The other thing to say is planning. - Yeah.- No-one's ever lived
0:05:04 > 0:05:07in this part of the building, OK. It sort of has commercial use
0:05:07 > 0:05:10rather than residential use, so you'd have to get that
0:05:10 > 0:05:13change of use. You'd have to go through the planning process.
0:05:13 > 0:05:18In this instance there has actually been planning permission in the past
0:05:18 > 0:05:20to build two detached houses here.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24That planning permission expired in 2007, but it does show
0:05:24 > 0:05:28there's a willingness I think on behalf of the local planners to
0:05:28 > 0:05:31bring this into residential use. You'd also have to show that the
0:05:31 > 0:05:34area isn't in desperate need of garages. That if someone's
0:05:34 > 0:05:37converting a church or an old pub, they have to show that it's not
0:05:37 > 0:05:41really needed as a church or an old pub anymore, and I suppose the same
0:05:41 > 0:05:46goes here, that this isn't really viable as a commercial office or workshop.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48All those things you'd have to demonstrate to the planners,
0:05:48 > 0:05:52but the fact is...you've seen a bit of the area from just coming here.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56It's all terraced houses, it's not a sort of a business area.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00So I think that would also help a change of use application to get
0:06:00 > 0:06:02this turned into someone's home.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05Of course there's no guarantee that planning will be granted,
0:06:05 > 0:06:10which can mean taking a leap of faith when investing in a commercial premises.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12But for those willing to take the risk,
0:06:12 > 0:06:15places like this can be a really smart buy,
0:06:15 > 0:06:19offering you tonnes of space for a more reasonable price.
0:06:19 > 0:06:24Right, guys. So, this is pretty much already a flat.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28You've got a kitchen there plumbed in...um...what do you make of this?
0:06:28 > 0:06:30It just feels like a totally different building, doesn't it,
0:06:30 > 0:06:33- from what we've just seen. - Yeah, it does.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36- Much more modern, I think.- Yeah.- Is it quite attractive that there is
0:06:36 > 0:06:40a kind of functioning flat on the side of this big building already?
0:06:40 > 0:06:43Yeah, absolutely. It's a definite plus to it, I think.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46Yeah, I think so. Absolutely. Less daunting, I think, that way.
0:06:46 > 0:06:51The good news this is within budget. It's on the market for £135,000.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53- The price sounds good.- Your eyes lit up.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55- You were expecting it to be a bit more.- I was actually,
0:06:55 > 0:06:58because of the size of it. I did think it would be a lot more.
0:06:58 > 0:07:03I thought £150,000 but I think we're going out of Durham City centre now
0:07:03 > 0:07:05- and I think you notice that a little bit.- Yeah, definitely.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08There's always compromises, aren't there? So, if you go out
0:07:08 > 0:07:10a little bit further you'll get more for your money,
0:07:10 > 0:07:12and in this case because it's an empty property
0:07:12 > 0:07:14the budget goes even further.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16Right, let's continue our little tour around.
0:07:16 > 0:07:17Great. Brilliant.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21Mairi and Steven are starting to see the benefits of taking on an
0:07:21 > 0:07:25exciting project like this, but it would certainly be a big challenge.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29Right, big spaces often go one of two ways.
0:07:29 > 0:07:34They scare people something silly or they really get excited about it,
0:07:34 > 0:07:37and for you it seems excitement's just winning through.
0:07:37 > 0:07:38- It's edging at the moment. - Definitely.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41Could you see yourselves taking on something like this?
0:07:41 > 0:07:43- Yes.- Yeah, definitely.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45You hesitated slightly, but Mairi's very quick on that one.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48Yeah, I think more so after seeing this today.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52I think more so, you know. Maybe beforehand we were just looking at
0:07:52 > 0:07:56regular properties, but having seen this today I think...we'll probably
0:07:56 > 0:07:58- cast our net a bit further and... - Definitely. Yeah.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03Well, what an exciting building.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06Now, many people would be scared of taking something like this on.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09I've got to say that actually Steven and Mairi don't seem daunted.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13In fact they seem very excited. Even so, as first-time renovators,
0:08:13 > 0:08:16if they were to take on a project like this it really would be
0:08:16 > 0:08:19quite a big challenge. So it's going to be great for them to meet someone
0:08:19 > 0:08:21who's been through it all and can give them some guidance
0:08:21 > 0:08:23on just where to get started.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34There are nearly a million empty properties in the UK at a time
0:08:34 > 0:08:38when the demand for housing has never been greater.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41But luckily, up and down the country there are a team of dedicated
0:08:41 > 0:08:44Empty Property Officers who make it their mission to turn these
0:08:44 > 0:08:46derelict dwellings into homes.
0:08:46 > 0:08:50In Richmond, South West London, Jason Hall's the man charged with
0:08:50 > 0:08:51this task.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54Today's he's on his way to a long-term problem place.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57A house that's been vacant for at least 10 years.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00What I need to do is get access to the property, have a look around
0:09:00 > 0:09:03the gardens, speak to the neighbours and get as much information together
0:09:03 > 0:09:04as I can.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08Jason's had reports from neighbours that foxes have set up home
0:09:08 > 0:09:11in the rear garden and that the house has been attracting
0:09:11 > 0:09:12fly tippers.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18First impressions of this is that it doesn't look obviously empty.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21We've got some overgrown areas to the front of the property.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24We've got quite a lot of ivy growing up the front of the property.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27That's going into the windows as well, so it's obviously been growing
0:09:27 > 0:09:30for some time. The guttering has been leaking up the top, which has caused
0:09:30 > 0:09:32some damage to the soffits and the fascias.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39On the inside it's not been lived in. It is empty.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43There's wood all stacked up in the hallway, so it's obviously
0:09:43 > 0:09:47been used as a store for some reason, or some works have commenced
0:09:47 > 0:09:50and then they've just stopped and left it.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54It's at the back of the house though where the real problems lie.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58OK, from the side of the property we've got some wood that's been
0:09:58 > 0:10:01dumped down the side here, some old carpet and some food debris.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08OK, you can see in the back garden that there's a huge heap of rubbish
0:10:08 > 0:10:11that's obviously just been tossed over the fence in exactly the same
0:10:11 > 0:10:14place every time. There's bags of rubbish, there's wood,
0:10:14 > 0:10:17there's Hoovers, TVs, pretty much everything that's been dumped
0:10:17 > 0:10:18in there.
0:10:22 > 0:10:27One of the main complaints is about foxes. There's some food debris
0:10:27 > 0:10:29around here at the front, so I need to see if there's anywhere
0:10:29 > 0:10:32I can get in round the back or via neighbouring properties
0:10:32 > 0:10:33to see into the garden.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39Jason heads next door where the neighbours agree to let him use
0:10:39 > 0:10:43their decking as a vantage point to examine the abandoned house further.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49In the garden there's loads of rubbish. It's very overgrown,
0:10:49 > 0:10:53there's a fox hole which has been dug out which will be used as a run
0:10:53 > 0:10:55between the two properties, so the fox can get access to the bottom of
0:10:55 > 0:10:59the garden where the rubbish pile is, which is probably where our food source is.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03It's obviously been a dumping ground for a good few years now.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08In a bid to get hold of the owner's details, Jason
0:11:08 > 0:11:12calls his colleagues in the Richmond council tax department.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15That's brilliant. Thanks ever so much. Bye.
0:11:16 > 0:11:21So, I've got the owner's address. They say I need to contact them and
0:11:21 > 0:11:25see if I can either arrange to meet at the property or see if I can
0:11:25 > 0:11:28talk to them on the telephone to discuss what action needs to be
0:11:28 > 0:11:31dealt with at the property we've seen today.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33Jason is still trying to contact the owner to get them
0:11:33 > 0:11:36to bring the house back into use.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38Putting your faith and money into a derelict dwelling
0:11:38 > 0:11:40can be a nail-biting exercise, but it's
0:11:40 > 0:11:43a challenge that more and more people up and down the country are
0:11:43 > 0:11:44taking on.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47It can be incredibly rewarding and with hard graft
0:11:47 > 0:11:51and imagination you can create your perfect home.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56And that's exactly what Ian and Whitney Edwards did when
0:11:56 > 0:11:59they took on this period property in the heart of West London.
0:12:01 > 0:12:06This property happened to be open and available just that day that
0:12:06 > 0:12:09we were looking, and we came in and we looked and Ian instantly
0:12:09 > 0:12:11fell in love.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15It was a three-floor Victorian terraced house.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18We walked in and then you knew work hadn't been done for probably about
0:12:18 > 0:12:2250 years. You know, the electrics were gone, the plumbing was gone.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26It was a perfect canvas to start from, and we've turned it from a
0:12:26 > 0:12:30very run down, tired, old, traditional layout of a house
0:12:30 > 0:12:32into something that's very contemporary.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36They bought the house for £1.1 million
0:12:36 > 0:12:40but after two years of extensive work it's now worth almost
0:12:40 > 0:12:43£4 million and is the dream home they've always wanted.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49There's a stunning open-plan kitchen and living area, four bathrooms,
0:12:49 > 0:12:53five bedrooms, plus a cinema room and even a gym!
0:12:55 > 0:12:58Despite the modern design they wanted to stay true to
0:12:58 > 0:13:02the character of the property and restore the period features.
0:13:03 > 0:13:08We wanted to keep little bits of the Victorian elements, you know.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12Rebuild the moulding in the fireplace and the doors and the door handles
0:13:12 > 0:13:16and keep it, you know, a little bit, have that essence, but really what
0:13:16 > 0:13:20was most important was to take this shell of a house that had been here
0:13:20 > 0:13:25since the 1800s and had been run down and had had so many families living
0:13:25 > 0:13:27here over the years that we wanted to give it new life
0:13:27 > 0:13:29and bring a new family to it.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34As with all renovations there were big challenges.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36Ian and Whitney were living in America during the build
0:13:36 > 0:13:40and had to project manage using video calls and the occasional
0:13:40 > 0:13:43site visit, which made the whole process very difficult.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48It's stressful, I'm not going to lie, but you got to get on with it,
0:13:48 > 0:13:53if it's what you really want, you have to just know that in the end
0:13:53 > 0:13:57it's going to be done and you're going to be happy and yeah,
0:13:57 > 0:14:00it's stressful but it's worth it.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08Even though they have created their perfect home,
0:14:08 > 0:14:11the whole experience has left them with mixed emotions.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14Pain, misery, disaster, joy.
0:14:17 > 0:14:18Ditto.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27In recent years a drive for improved
0:14:27 > 0:14:31and modern housing has led to many older empty properties being
0:14:31 > 0:14:33demolished to be replaced by new builds.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36But in the wake of the economic downturn many of these
0:14:36 > 0:14:40regeneration schemes faulted, so once where there were thriving communities
0:14:40 > 0:14:43there is nothing more than wasteland.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48In the Newcastle and Gateshead area of the North East,
0:14:48 > 0:14:53almost 3,000 empty properties have been demolished.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57But only 336 homes have been rebuilt compared to over 1,000 that
0:14:57 > 0:14:59were originally planned.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04It was part of a scheme called Pathfinder.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06However the scheme has now been scrapped
0:15:06 > 0:15:10and in its wake stands row upon row of boarded-up houses.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17I've come to Saltwell and Bensham, where the
0:15:17 > 0:15:21local community are concerned about the future of their neighbourhood.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24I'm meeting Nancy and Linda,
0:15:24 > 0:15:28who are members of the residents' association to find out more.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32Could you explain to me what exactly Pathfinder was. What was the aim?
0:15:32 > 0:15:33What was the objective?
0:15:33 > 0:15:36Well, it was for housing market renewal in areas where
0:15:36 > 0:15:40the housing market had gone through the floor. Originally it was
0:15:40 > 0:15:43a couple of areas in the north and that was then extended to cover
0:15:43 > 0:15:46this area and other areas throughout across the north.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49What was the problem with Pathfinder in this area?
0:15:49 > 0:15:53Well, it wasn't a failing housing market. That was the main thing.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56There wasn't a lot of empty properties here, so that showed
0:15:56 > 0:15:59that people wanted to live here.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02The residents feel that this scheme simply wasn't needed
0:16:02 > 0:16:05in this neighbourhood, and six years later these houses are still
0:16:05 > 0:16:09boarded up when they could be used as homes for families in the community.
0:16:10 > 0:16:15And, Linda, tell me what was the impact of Pathfinder here?
0:16:15 > 0:16:17How did it show itself in this area?
0:16:17 > 0:16:22Well, it showed itself because the council slowly bought up houses
0:16:22 > 0:16:24as they became empty and boarded them up
0:16:24 > 0:16:27in preparation for demolition.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31And why demolition? Why did they demolish streets and areas?
0:16:31 > 0:16:34You'd have thought regeneration would be improving
0:16:34 > 0:16:35what was there already.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39Well, when I first read about the Pathfinder Scheme, I realised that
0:16:39 > 0:16:42what they needed was Brownfield sites, because the whole idea
0:16:42 > 0:16:46was to bring in private money, and that means developers.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49And developers, generally speaking, want to start from scratch.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53They want to build afresh and obviously their job is to make
0:16:53 > 0:16:58a profit on the housing. So that's why demolition was always involved.
0:16:58 > 0:17:03But the concern that we had was that not only were they demolishing
0:17:03 > 0:17:07whole streets, but that they were demolishing one side of a street,
0:17:07 > 0:17:11and leaving the other standing. In fact renovating the other side
0:17:11 > 0:17:13of the streets that are left standing.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17Instead of a nice block of Victorian housing over quite a few acres,
0:17:17 > 0:17:20you've now got gashes in it.
0:17:20 > 0:17:21What would you like to see happen?
0:17:21 > 0:17:25What's the alternative to putting down more houses in his area?
0:17:25 > 0:17:28I think the alternative is to bring them back into occupation
0:17:28 > 0:17:32so that people can live here and just renovate the rest
0:17:32 > 0:17:36and bring them back into occupation for families and single people
0:17:36 > 0:17:38and a mixture of people.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41Gateshead Council predict that a further
0:17:41 > 0:17:44two and half thousand properties across the borough will be
0:17:44 > 0:17:47demolished over the next 20 years.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50However, they estimate that 15,000 new homes will be
0:17:50 > 0:17:52constructed during this period too.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56The council are expecting to continue
0:17:56 > 0:17:59the regeneration of the area in the near future.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08Back in Durham, I'm with Steven and Mairi in their quest to
0:18:08 > 0:18:11create their perfect place. I'm taking them to see a former
0:18:11 > 0:18:14commercial building that has been transformed into a fabulous home.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19Right, guys, this is the property I've brought you to.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21Can you tell what it was?
0:18:21 > 0:18:26- A barn, possibly?- A barn. Yes. Actually, quite an unusual barn.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30It's never had any animals in. It was a brick-drying barn.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33There was a wagon way coming along here and a steam pulley
0:18:33 > 0:18:35to get up the hill and all the bricks would be loaded on
0:18:35 > 0:18:39and they'd be taken all the way from here to Sunderland on a wagon way.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42- Oh, right.- As you can see, they've done a full renovation.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47When Stuart Sanderson took on this 150-year-old barn it was just a
0:18:47 > 0:18:49derelict shell.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53It was in a complete shambolic state with birds nesting
0:18:53 > 0:18:57and various wildlife living inside, but we could see the potential
0:18:57 > 0:18:59in the amount of interior space that we had
0:18:59 > 0:19:03and it was really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08He bought the property for £300,000 and spent a further £120,000
0:19:08 > 0:19:11renovating it into a perfect family home.
0:19:13 > 0:19:18It's now worth £700,000 and boasts this stunning open-plan
0:19:18 > 0:19:24kitchen/diner, a sitting room, four bedrooms and four bathrooms.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28It took a lot of imagination and I think the fact that it was a
0:19:28 > 0:19:32blank canvas we could see instantly that it could be turned into
0:19:32 > 0:19:33a unique home.
0:19:37 > 0:19:42- This is the kitchen family area. Wow!- Wow!- Great space.- It's stunning.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45Right, guys, first impressions. What do you think?
0:19:45 > 0:19:48- Oh, it's amazing.- Yeah, it's really nice, light...
0:19:48 > 0:19:52- Airy, high ceilings. It's lovely. - Yeah, but it's still feels cosy.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56It's very nice, yeah. I like the exposed brickwork and the beams
0:19:56 > 0:20:00- and everything.- We love the idea of having original features in a room.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02Yeah, the exposed brickwork and the...
0:20:02 > 0:20:04So, Stuart, start at the beginning for me.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06What state was it in when you originally bought it?
0:20:06 > 0:20:10Inside was quite dilapidated. We had an image in our heads.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14We knew what we wanted but it was hard to put that down on paper.
0:20:14 > 0:20:19We had no real experience of doing this, and the builder, really,
0:20:19 > 0:20:22as it started coming together, they could start to see it.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25So, right at the beginning, on a basic level, how did you decide
0:20:25 > 0:20:31- where you wanted which room?- We wanted to have a central area where
0:20:31 > 0:20:35we could all sort of function as a family, but then a separate end
0:20:35 > 0:20:38where the children have some space with their friends and we have a separate
0:20:38 > 0:20:42end as well. So that was quite important to us, to have a little bit
0:20:42 > 0:20:45of a chance for it to have some sort of space.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50So this is the big open space in the middle, then either side you do have
0:20:50 > 0:20:52a floor in, so you've got a ground and first floor.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55For the girls, they got a bedroom each there and the spare bedroom,
0:20:55 > 0:20:57and that side you've got a sitting room and the
0:20:57 > 0:21:00- master bedroom above it.- That's right.- That's perfect.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02It's knowing what you want from your place. That's the beauty of
0:21:02 > 0:21:04it being an empty property - that you can start again
0:21:04 > 0:21:07and create it as you desire. I love it in here. I think I could spend
0:21:07 > 0:21:09all day in here, but I suppose we should see some of
0:21:09 > 0:21:11the rest of the property. Should we have a look
0:21:11 > 0:21:13at the bedrooms you built on the end?
0:21:13 > 0:21:14Lead the way, yeah.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28- OK, this is the master bedroom.- Very good, and it's ensuite,
0:21:28 > 0:21:31I can see you've got a sort of bath and shower just across
0:21:31 > 0:21:35- the hallway here.- Very nice.- So, Stuart, you've been through it all,
0:21:35 > 0:21:38you've got an amazing house for the family now, at the end of it.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42These guys are first-time renovators at the other end of that journey.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46Anything they should keep in mind? You know, your kind of final advice
0:21:46 > 0:21:50- to them.- Um...I think you've just got to be clear in what you want,
0:21:50 > 0:21:52you know, that's the hard bit, just make sure that you think it through
0:21:52 > 0:21:56properly at the beginning. Work to your budget. If you got right builder
0:21:56 > 0:21:58on board and he's in tune with what you're after, you shouldn't be
0:21:58 > 0:22:01too far away from your budget, as long as you don't sort of run away
0:22:01 > 0:22:04with ideas through the process. And be prepared to compromise.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07It's nice to see what you've done with the place. You know,
0:22:07 > 0:22:11your idea's come to life. You've just inspired us greatly really.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13Well, look, really good advice. Stuart, thank you very much.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16- Thank you.- Thank you. - You're welcome.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23Empty Property Officer Dave Carter is back in Enfield,
0:22:23 > 0:22:26checking up on the recent renovation of a property that had
0:22:26 > 0:22:30previously been empty for 25 years.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33Dave tracked down the owner and after four years of careful
0:22:33 > 0:22:36negotiation, the council agreed to provide a grant to restore
0:22:36 > 0:22:40the house, which will now be used for housing association tenants.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43Last time I was here the house was in a complete mess.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47There were trees growing in the kitchen, branches and vines growing
0:22:47 > 0:22:50all over the bathroom and I'm really looking forward
0:22:50 > 0:22:51to seeing the transformation.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55Dave's here to meet the Project Manager to check that the
0:22:55 > 0:22:59renovation work will meet housing association standards.
0:23:01 > 0:23:07Wow! Now that is a big change. Really pleased by the outside appearance.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11If the inside is anything like that I will be very pleased indeed.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- Oi.- Hi, Matt. Nice to see you again. - And you.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19It looks like you've done a beautiful job from the outside.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22- Thank you.- OK, let's go and see the rest of it.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25As you know I'm going to have to do a few final checks before we hand it
0:23:25 > 0:23:29- over to the housing association. - Yeah, it's all ready.- Lead on.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33Yeah, I think the last time I came here the house ended here.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35Of course we had the problem with that big vine growing
0:23:35 > 0:23:39that we couldn't get out the door, but all this is new.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42- Yeah. New extension all the way through.- We got all the gas and
0:23:42 > 0:23:45electrical safety certificates. Landlord certificates.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48- Yeah, all the relevant certificates we've got, yeah.- Brilliant.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50- Fire door.- Fire door from the kitchen, that's right.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52The housing association will insist on that.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58We need to ensure that there is a fully-functioning
0:23:58 > 0:24:01- central heating system. That's a brand new boiler?- Yes.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04- And we got the certificate?- Yes. - Lovely. Thank you.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09All right, this is the bit I've been looking forward to.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12- The bath was the other way around, wasn't it?- That's right.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15And we had the vine growing all the way through there and down into
0:24:15 > 0:24:18- the bath.- That's right.- And the toilet was there, wasn't it?
0:24:18 > 0:24:21- That's right.- And now you've moved it here. That's a lot more sensible.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23Yeah, it's a good, practical bathroom now.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27Dave's satisfied that the house is up to scratch
0:24:27 > 0:24:30but he's eager to see how the overgrown garden has changed.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36Wow! You've really transformed this garden. I mean, really,
0:24:36 > 0:24:40I don't suppose you could've even got out the door. Remember those vines
0:24:40 > 0:24:43- growing up the back door?- Well, it was extremely dangerous with the
0:24:43 > 0:24:46broken-down conservatory and the glass sticking out the ground.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48I mean, it's been a top to bottom transformation really.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52From a complete refurbishment of the house to a provisional new extension
0:24:52 > 0:24:55and the outbuilding and garage out the back here.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57- Yup.- So, hopefully we'll get good use out of it.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01- OK, well, thanks for the show around, Matt.- No problem.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04You've done a really good job, I'm very pleased.
0:25:04 > 0:25:05- Glad you like it.- Bye-bye.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08I'm really pleased with the standard of work that's been done
0:25:08 > 0:25:11at the house. I almost didn't recognise it. It was one of the
0:25:11 > 0:25:13worst properties and now it's one of the best.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18I can finally get a family moved into that house and everyone's happy.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31Steven and Mairi have been getting some valuable advice about
0:25:31 > 0:25:35transforming an empty commercial property into their perfect home.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40Guys, having seen this today, how are you feeling?
0:25:41 > 0:25:44- I think a little bit inspired.- Yeah. - It's opened our eyes a little bit to
0:25:44 > 0:25:47some of the other potential properties that are out there
0:25:47 > 0:25:50- other than your typical residential properties.- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53I know you're finding it hard to find somewhere in Durham, so I hope
0:25:53 > 0:25:57today has shown you that you can look beyond just quite typical
0:25:57 > 0:26:00- empty houses.- Absolutely.- You can look to other buildings.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04- Yeah, it really has.- I think we'll start searching commercial areas
0:26:04 > 0:26:08as well as properties that people are living in at the moment.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11I just feel really excited about it and just can't wait to start
0:26:11 > 0:26:14- searching again.- Yeah, it's certainly broadened our search, I think.- Yeah.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17Brilliant, I'm so pleased. Well, look, the best of luck with it.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20- Thank you.- I'm sure you'll find something. Persevere and you'll be
0:26:20 > 0:26:22there before you know it, so good luck.
0:26:22 > 0:26:23- Thank you.- Thanks for your help.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29Up to now, Steven and Mairi haven't had much luck in their search for an
0:26:29 > 0:26:32empty property, but I really think today has shown them they don't have
0:26:32 > 0:26:36to restrict their search to a two-up two-down. They can look
0:26:36 > 0:26:40outside of that. Old barns, former industrial units, places people have
0:26:40 > 0:26:45never lived before, all have huge, huge potential, so I know they're
0:26:45 > 0:26:49going away inspired and I've got no doubts before long they too
0:26:49 > 0:26:53will find an empty they can turn into their ideal home.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd