0:00:02 > 0:00:06Up and down the country, empty properties are waiting to be brought back to life.
0:00:06 > 0:00:07I'll be discovering why
0:00:07 > 0:00:11and how you can turn a diamond in the rough into a gem of a home.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14We'll be following the Empty Property Officers
0:00:14 > 0:00:18whose job it is to track down the owners of these forgotten houses
0:00:18 > 0:00:20and get them back into use
0:00:20 > 0:00:23and I'll be finding out more about our housing stock, our history
0:00:23 > 0:00:26and why we should be both preserving
0:00:26 > 0:00:28and reinventing Britain's Empty Homes.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38Investing in an empty property
0:00:38 > 0:00:41is more than just buying bricks and mortar -
0:00:41 > 0:00:45it's potentially giving a run-down building a new lease of life
0:00:45 > 0:00:47and whether it's a full-scale renovation,
0:00:47 > 0:00:50knocking down a wall or just a lick of paint,
0:00:50 > 0:00:53it's the emotional investment that goes into making it a home again
0:00:53 > 0:00:57that's driving many more people to take these properties on.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01On today's show, a couple who've taken the plunge
0:01:01 > 0:01:03and bought an empty home
0:01:03 > 0:01:07and are after some guidance on how to go about transforming it.
0:01:07 > 0:01:08Our worry is the money side of things
0:01:08 > 0:01:11if we've not got the money saved up, but if we can do it...
0:01:11 > 0:01:14You're never going to have enough money!
0:01:14 > 0:01:16We'll hear about a scheme
0:01:16 > 0:01:20which houses tenants in some rather unusual vacant buildings.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22Is it weird living in a school?
0:01:22 > 0:01:24It's one of the best places I've ever lived, really.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26I just think it's great.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30And we'll be following one of Britain's Empty Property Officers
0:01:30 > 0:01:33on his mission to get deserted dwellings back into use.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Dave, have you seen this?
0:01:36 > 0:01:38Probably one of the biggest post pile-ups I've seen.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40That's five years' worth at least.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46Jack Briggs and his girlfriend Lisa Leighton
0:01:46 > 0:01:49have recently purchased their first home together -
0:01:49 > 0:01:53this 1930s three-bedroom detached house near Derby.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57You saw straight away, didn't you? How much potential it had.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59I walked around and saw nothing majorly wrong,
0:01:59 > 0:02:01and it was in a really nice area
0:02:01 > 0:02:04so I thought, "Yeah, this is the one we're going for."
0:02:04 > 0:02:08The house has been empty for 18 months
0:02:08 > 0:02:10and they managed to snap it up for £150,000.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14That's £50,000 below the original asking price.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18Although the structure is sound, it's in a bad decorative state
0:02:18 > 0:02:21and needs complete modernisation.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24We're doing the whole house. There's nothing, really, we're not doing.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26We're doing every aspect of it.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28Jack is a plumber
0:02:28 > 0:02:31and has already installed a new central heating system.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33With a tight renovation budget of £16,000,
0:02:33 > 0:02:38the couple are planning to do a lot of the renovation themselves.
0:02:38 > 0:02:43I do a lot of work for free for friends and family,
0:02:43 > 0:02:46so now it's sort of time to recall them favours.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48The only real professional person
0:02:48 > 0:02:50we're having in to restore the parquet flooring,
0:02:50 > 0:02:53because I think that's something that...
0:02:53 > 0:02:55We don't want to get wrong, do we?
0:02:55 > 0:02:57And I'd like a sort of traditional craftsman to do it.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01The plan is to restore many of the period features,
0:03:01 > 0:03:04replace the fireplace with a log burner
0:03:04 > 0:03:07and also put in a downstairs loo and a new kitchen.
0:03:07 > 0:03:12..the end result to be like a country-style kitchen.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15I want a big table in the dining room where we can all sit around.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18Traditional family home, that's what I'd like in the end.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21'I'm meeting Jack and Lisa at their house
0:03:21 > 0:03:23'to see what they've taken on
0:03:23 > 0:03:27'and to find out what their plans are for the place.'
0:03:27 > 0:03:30Morning, guys, how you doing?
0:03:30 > 0:03:33- Hi.- Hi, Lisa.- Nice to meet you. - Hi, Jack. How are you doing?
0:03:33 > 0:03:35This is your place, isn't it? You've just bought it.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38- Yeah.- So how did you find it and what attracted you to it?
0:03:38 > 0:03:39We used to walk the dog around here
0:03:39 > 0:03:41and just by accident, stumbled across this
0:03:41 > 0:03:44and then we rang the estate agent when we seen it was for sale
0:03:44 > 0:03:46and demanded a viewing immediately.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49Guys, I'm really impressed. It looks great from the outside.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52I suggest we pop in and have a look inside, shall we?
0:03:59 > 0:04:02So this is the kitchen. Clearly you've stripped it back to brick.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04What's the plan? What's the layout going to be?
0:04:04 > 0:04:08First of all, we're going to move the window so it's central
0:04:08 > 0:04:11and then we'll have cupboards going all the way around into a U-shape.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14- OK.- But then, the reason why we're moving the window
0:04:14 > 0:04:17is so we can get two corner cupboards in so it looks symmetrical.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- Very wise.- The sink's going to be under the window,
0:04:20 > 0:04:23cooker's going to be here, and the fridge is going to be over there.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26Great. And will you try and get anywhere to sit in here
0:04:26 > 0:04:29- or keep that for the dining room? - I want a breakfast bar,
0:04:29 > 0:04:32but it depends whether they can fit it in and it doesn't look cramped.
0:04:32 > 0:04:33So maybe one of the counters
0:04:33 > 0:04:36- would come out a bit further to sit round.- Yeah.- OK.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40And I can see you've obviously got some work going on upstairs.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42- Right, let's go and have a look, shall we?- Yep.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46The couple have a five-year plan for their property.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49Once all the initial work is completed,
0:04:49 > 0:04:51phase two will be to build a double-storey extension
0:04:51 > 0:04:56which would give them a bigger kitchen and two extra bedrooms.
0:04:56 > 0:04:57What about the extension?
0:04:57 > 0:05:01When does that take place? What are the plans for it?
0:05:01 > 0:05:04We want to sort of get this done first, move in,
0:05:04 > 0:05:09get more money, that will give me the finance to do the extension.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11- OK. So it's very much a two-stage process?- Yeah.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13What are your concerns over that?
0:05:13 > 0:05:16Have you looked into any of the planning side or the costings or anything like that?
0:05:16 > 0:05:19- Not really.- Not yet. - I'd have thought planning permission
0:05:19 > 0:05:22would be one of the problems, cos I've never done it before.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25A lot of the houses on this street have got extensions
0:05:25 > 0:05:27so I don't think it would be a problem,
0:05:27 > 0:05:29but I guess it's just going through the whole stage
0:05:29 > 0:05:31of applying for it and everything.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33I've got to ask, why do you want to extend?
0:05:33 > 0:05:35Because it is a good-sized property as it is.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39Well, eventually, I would like four children
0:05:39 > 0:05:41so just having the extra bedrooms,
0:05:41 > 0:05:44- they can all have a bedroom to themselves, really.- Right.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47You're quite quiet throughout this, Jack. Is that OK?
0:05:47 > 0:05:51I thought we were just having extra games rooms and things like that!
0:05:51 > 0:05:52LAUGHTER
0:05:52 > 0:05:57Well, it certainly has the potential to be a spacious family home,
0:05:57 > 0:06:01plus there's also a generous-sized garden.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03Guys, it's been great to look around the house.
0:06:03 > 0:06:04Really exciting project
0:06:04 > 0:06:07and I can see you're both well up for the challenge as well.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10Anything, looking ahead, that concerns you?
0:06:10 > 0:06:12Or anything you'd like to know a bit more about?
0:06:12 > 0:06:15Just really the extension and the planning of that,
0:06:15 > 0:06:19things like that, I've never done anything like them before.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22Be good to go around peoples houses and look at how they've done it,
0:06:22 > 0:06:23especially the kitchen as well.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26I'd like to see what their layouts are
0:06:26 > 0:06:29and see if we could change ours to make a breakfast bar fit.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32Later, we'll go and see a property that's been fully renovated.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34The couple behind it have been through all this
0:06:34 > 0:06:37and come out the other side, so that's very encouraging.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40They've also extended, so there should be lots of practical advice
0:06:40 > 0:06:42about how to go about it,
0:06:42 > 0:06:46- so hopefully that sounds like a worthwhile thing to do?- Yep.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52It's so nice that these guys have found a place they really love
0:06:52 > 0:06:56and they've got big plans to turn this into a sizeable family home.
0:06:56 > 0:07:01In that way, it's really helpful that Jack has plenty of practical skills, particularly in plumbing,
0:07:01 > 0:07:04but on a tight budget, there are always going to be challenges ahead
0:07:04 > 0:07:07so I think it's going to be really good for them to meet someone
0:07:07 > 0:07:09that's already been through this
0:07:09 > 0:07:11and can help them with a bit of advice and inspiration.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17Up and down the country,
0:07:17 > 0:07:19empty properties are in a state of disrepair,
0:07:19 > 0:07:23abandoned and unloved, just waiting to be brought back to life.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27But there are a team of dedicated Empty Property Officers
0:07:27 > 0:07:31who make it their mission to track down these abandoned buildings
0:07:31 > 0:07:33and get them lived in again.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38In Enfield, North London,
0:07:38 > 0:07:42Dave Carter has brought over 800 buildings back into use.
0:07:43 > 0:07:48Today, Dave's visiting a house which has been empty for five years.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52First impressions of this house are that it doesn't look too bad.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54Just looks OK generally,
0:07:54 > 0:07:58pretty average house, but then when you look a bit more closely,
0:07:58 > 0:08:02you can see the garden path is completely obscured
0:08:02 > 0:08:04with bushes and overgrowth
0:08:04 > 0:08:07but overall, not such a bad house.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12Recently, neighbours have complained about rats in the garden.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16You can clearly see the height of these bramble bushes
0:08:16 > 0:08:18and the trees at the back.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21This is a likely source where they could be nesting.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25The previous owner of the house passed away
0:08:25 > 0:08:27and left it to a relative.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29Dave has tried several times to get in touch with them,
0:08:29 > 0:08:31but has had no response.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34So he's called in a locksmith to help him get inside,
0:08:34 > 0:08:37in the hope that he can find out more about the case.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43He's joined by Council Enforcement Officer John Childs.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46Interesting house, this one.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50It's all very sad. It's like it's just been left, isn't it?
0:08:50 > 0:08:54On the day of the funeral, they've just locked up and gone.
0:08:58 > 0:08:59Look at this, Dave.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02It looks as if there's been some visitors in the past.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04Mouse droppings, it looks like.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07- Yeah.- Doesn't look like anything fresh, though.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10But it seems that mice have been the only recent visitors.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13- Dave, have you seen this?- My God!
0:09:13 > 0:09:16It's probably one of the biggest post pile-ups I've ever seen.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20- That's five years' worth at least. And it's still growing.- Yes.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24And venturing upstairs, there's an even bigger surprise.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27- I noticed the boiler was on. - Really?- Yep.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30Leaving a nice, toasty warm hall. The cylinder is in here.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33So it does make you wonder whether bills have been paid recently,
0:09:33 > 0:09:35because otherwise it would have been cut off.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38Must be someone paying it by direct debit.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41When I came in here to take photographs,
0:09:41 > 0:09:46I had this peculiar feeling that I was coming to someone's active home
0:09:46 > 0:09:49- but it evidently isn't the case.- No.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01Dave looks for any other clues which could help lead him to the owner.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05There's a book here about wills and probate
0:10:05 > 0:10:09so clearly someone's been to the house and started the process,
0:10:09 > 0:10:11but why haven't they finished?
0:10:11 > 0:10:14It is a mystery.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19Dave leaves a note for the owner, asking them get in touch
0:10:19 > 0:10:22before he's forced to issue a compulsory purchase order.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26'It's just very, very sad looking round it.'
0:10:26 > 0:10:28The house has just literally been abandoned,
0:10:28 > 0:10:31but there was a few clues I picked up.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35There was letters sent to the old couple that lived here.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37I've noted down some names and addresses.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39I'll contact them and see if they know the whereabouts
0:10:39 > 0:10:43of any relatives that might lead me to find out what's happened here
0:10:43 > 0:10:45because at the minute, it is just a mystery.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49Despite Dave's best efforts, the owner has still not been in touch
0:10:49 > 0:10:52so he'll have to seriously consider a compulsory purchase order
0:10:52 > 0:10:55to get this house back into use.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02People all over the country are taking on empty properties
0:11:02 > 0:11:04and restoring them to make them habitable again.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06So whether it's an old factory,
0:11:06 > 0:11:09an office block, a quaint country cottage or a Victorian terrace,
0:11:09 > 0:11:13these places are being transformed into unique homes.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19In 2007, Jon and June Higgins
0:11:19 > 0:11:23bought this derelict barn in South-west Wales for £200,000.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28One day we saw it on the very front of the local newspaper
0:11:28 > 0:11:30that this barn was up for sale.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34So a friend of ours rang the estate agent, made an appointment
0:11:34 > 0:11:37- and we fell in love first time we saw it.- You did.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- Well, I...- Jonathan did. - I could see the potential.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43The barn dates back to 1848
0:11:43 > 0:11:46and is part of the Pembrokeshire National Park,
0:11:46 > 0:11:48but it had been empty for almost 50 years.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52In the carthouse area,
0:11:52 > 0:11:55because the pigeons had been living there for so long,
0:11:55 > 0:12:00there was about four or five inches of bird poo
0:12:00 > 0:12:05on the floor, and what is now the dining area was full of water.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07That was quite daunting at the beginning.
0:12:07 > 0:12:12In the '60s, chickens were kept in our kitchen area.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16There was a pigsty and that's now the downstairs bathroom.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20More recently, they kept cattle in the downstairs area,
0:12:20 > 0:12:22which are now the guest bedrooms
0:12:22 > 0:12:26and the farmer did keep his tractor in the carthouse.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30But with renovations come challenges.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33The survey revealed that the foundations weren't secure
0:12:33 > 0:12:37so two-thirds of the walls needed to be knocked down and re-built.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43We didn't actually see the walls coming down, happily!
0:12:43 > 0:12:46We just arrived once they'd been taken down.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50There was just a heap of stones, basically,
0:12:50 > 0:12:52and the builder said at the time, "Don't worry,
0:12:52 > 0:12:54"it'll look a lot worse before it gets better."
0:12:54 > 0:12:57Because the barn is part of the National Park,
0:12:57 > 0:13:00their design plans were limited.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04We weren't allowed to change it from the outside.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08It had to look exactly the same when we started as when we finished,
0:13:08 > 0:13:11which it near enough does, only better.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17My favourite room is the upstairs landing gallery area,
0:13:17 > 0:13:19where I've got all my toys,
0:13:19 > 0:13:24my records, my guitar, the computer.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26I do like the sitting room.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29It's nice and cosy when we have the wood-burning stove in the evening.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33But most of my time is spent in the garden room
0:13:33 > 0:13:36because the view is just stunning.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38It took £340,000
0:13:38 > 0:13:41and 13 months to complete the renovation
0:13:41 > 0:13:44but now they have the dream home they've always wanted.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47It was a worthwhile wait
0:13:47 > 0:13:51cos, you know, we've ended up with a lovely property
0:13:51 > 0:13:54and we've saved a building that was perhaps going...
0:13:54 > 0:13:57going to rack and ruin.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02There are sometimes valid reasons why properties sit empty.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05They may, for example, be awaiting planning permission
0:14:05 > 0:14:07to be redeveloped or sold.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10But while they're empty, they're vulnerable
0:14:10 > 0:14:12and one of the best ways to protect them
0:14:12 > 0:14:15is to have people living in them -
0:14:15 > 0:14:18otherwise known as property guardians.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22A property guardian is someone who lives in an empty building
0:14:22 > 0:14:25and takes care of it for the owners.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28They pay a minimal rent and in return ensure its upkeep,
0:14:28 > 0:14:30deterring vandalism and theft.
0:14:32 > 0:14:33This primary school in Newcastle
0:14:33 > 0:14:36is the residence of six property guardians.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39I've come to meet Nick Hilton from Ad Hoc Property Management
0:14:39 > 0:14:41to find out more about the scheme.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43Can we have a look inside?
0:14:43 > 0:14:45- Certainly. After you.- Thank you.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53Property guardians are living in a building as their own home
0:14:53 > 0:14:56to prevent the type of problems you get with empty buildings.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58That could be squatting,
0:14:58 > 0:15:02anti-social behaviour, break-ins, metal theft, fly-tipping.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06When a building is left on its own, it tends to be very vulnerable.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09And is this place typical? What sorts of properties do you take on?
0:15:09 > 0:15:11We take on everything, really.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14We have properties of all different shapes and sizes,
0:15:14 > 0:15:19ranging from huge schools and care homes and hospitals and clinics,
0:15:19 > 0:15:22ex-council flats. We even have a grave-digger's cottage
0:15:22 > 0:15:24in the middle of a cemetery at the moment.
0:15:24 > 0:15:29In some ways, isn't this sort of legalised responsible squatting?
0:15:29 > 0:15:32Absolutely. That's a very good way of putting it,
0:15:32 > 0:15:35so you get all the benefits of a building being in use
0:15:35 > 0:15:36without the antisocial behaviour
0:15:36 > 0:15:38that can sometimes accompany squatting.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46Will has been living here for 16 months.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48Is it weird living in a school?
0:15:49 > 0:15:52It is a bit weird, but I think you get used to it.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55Well, I certainly got really used to it. For me now, it's just home.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58- Right.- The one downside is that you have to come out of your room
0:15:58 > 0:16:01and cross a corridor to go to the toilet in the middle of the night,
0:16:01 > 0:16:04rather than stumbling through your living room.
0:16:04 > 0:16:05- You pay £180 a month here.- Yep.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08What would you be paying in private accommodation?
0:16:08 > 0:16:12I was paying 375 per calendar month, and that didn't include anything,
0:16:12 > 0:16:14whereas here, that 180 includes all amenities.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17Is it a problem here, you don't know who you'll be living with?
0:16:17 > 0:16:19- Is that an issue at all?- Not really.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22All the rooms are all separately lockable, and also,
0:16:22 > 0:16:25people get vetted through the scheme anyway.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27There's certain criteria you have to meet.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29- You have to be employed, you have to be...- OK.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31And now you've found this place
0:16:31 > 0:16:34and you've experienced the scheme of being a property guardian,
0:16:34 > 0:16:35are you going to stay with it?
0:16:35 > 0:16:38Is it something that suits you now for the foreseeable future?
0:16:38 > 0:16:40Probably, yes.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44If I ended up getting some amazing kind of job,
0:16:44 > 0:16:47then I would probably look at investing in a house, but
0:16:47 > 0:16:50I wouldn't go back to the expensive rental market at the minute.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52It's one of the best places I've ever lived, really.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54I just think it's great.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58Now, there's no denying that an empty building is bad news,
0:16:58 > 0:17:01but this innovative scheme really does have its benefits.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03Not only do local people have
0:17:03 > 0:17:06somewhere unusual and affordable to live,
0:17:06 > 0:17:07but also the wider community,
0:17:07 > 0:17:11they no longer have to worry about a building like this
0:17:11 > 0:17:13attracting anti-social behaviour.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25Back in Derby, I'm taking Jack and Lisa to see an impressive renovation
0:17:25 > 0:17:29to give them some inspiration and tips for their own empty home.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33Right, guys, this is the property I want you to see.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35From first glance, it's pretty apparent
0:17:35 > 0:17:39it's a little bit older than your property. This is 1900,
0:17:39 > 0:17:42yours is 1930s. It hadn't been touched for 15 years.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44We're talking total renovation here.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46Probably a bit more than you're doing,
0:17:46 > 0:17:47but the same principles apply -
0:17:47 > 0:17:49get in, strip it back and make it your own.
0:17:52 > 0:17:57Chris and Lisa Hunt bought this dilapidated cottage
0:17:57 > 0:18:00at auction for £134,000
0:18:00 > 0:18:03and so far, they've spent a further £100,000 renovating it.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09It was in a very, very poor state of repair.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11It was completely boarded up.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15There was nothing in it, no electrics, no windows,
0:18:15 > 0:18:17no floors in some parts.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21Ceilings were missing, completely, nothing, really.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24It sits in the grounds of a 200-acre wood
0:18:24 > 0:18:27which used to be part of a theme park.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30Chris and Lisa love the idyllic location
0:18:30 > 0:18:33and wanted to enjoy the spectacular views from their home.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36As we're in the woodland, we thought
0:18:36 > 0:18:38it'd be nice to incorporate the outside with the inside,
0:18:38 > 0:18:41so we tried to get as much glass in as we could,
0:18:41 > 0:18:42and it's worked really well.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45We love it. The different angles of the roof
0:18:45 > 0:18:48and the flat bit there and picture windows, it just looks really nice.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50We're proper in love with it now. It's lovely.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54They extended the property to give them more living space
0:18:54 > 0:18:56and after 18 months of hard work,
0:18:56 > 0:19:00Chris and Lisa have almost completed their dream home.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02To get something that's got your print on it,
0:19:02 > 0:19:06you've got to go through this... pain, if you like!
0:19:06 > 0:19:09To get there, but at the end of it, if you go through it,
0:19:09 > 0:19:11it's well worth it at the end of it.
0:19:16 > 0:19:21So here we have an extended kitchen/dining area.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23First impressions?
0:19:23 > 0:19:25- It's beautiful.- Marvellous.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29What was the state of this property like when you took it on?
0:19:29 > 0:19:32When we bought it, it was a toss of a coin whether we bulldozed it
0:19:32 > 0:19:35and knocked it down or whether we renovated it
0:19:35 > 0:19:38but the wife got this thing about the stone sills and cottagey look.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41She wanted to keep all the outside, the prettier bit of it
0:19:41 > 0:19:42but she wanted the modern living.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45What do you guys think of the kitchen layout?
0:19:45 > 0:19:47The U-shape is quite similar to what you had in mind.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50Yeah, it's really exactly what we wanted, the shape we want.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53And you can, from seeing a breakfast bar,
0:19:53 > 0:19:55imagine it in yours if there's space.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57If there's space, yeah, I can imagine it in ours.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00What do you think of having this extra space?
0:20:00 > 0:20:04It's obviously, does it reinforce some of your plans and ideas?
0:20:04 > 0:20:06Yeah, it does, really.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09Because there is...I never thought we could have a kitchen diner.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13When you think about this being turned from a shell into this,
0:20:13 > 0:20:15does it encourage you?
0:20:15 > 0:20:16- It does...- Yeah.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19But I guess our worry is the money side of things,
0:20:19 > 0:20:20if we've not got the money saved up,
0:20:20 > 0:20:23- but if we can do it...- You're never going to have enough money!
0:20:23 > 0:20:25Is there more of an opportunity
0:20:25 > 0:20:29- to save money if you plan it carefully?- Yeah, definitely.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31You can shop around, source materials and that,
0:20:31 > 0:20:34get on the internet. You save fortunes by looking about on there
0:20:34 > 0:20:37and if you're not too proud, use a bit of reclaimed stuff as well.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39The same with pricing, if you're having new stuff,
0:20:39 > 0:20:41always get four or five quotes.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43Get your list out, e-mail it to everybody
0:20:43 > 0:20:47and then look around at the best, see which you're happy with.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52In addition to this spacious kitchen and living room,
0:20:52 > 0:20:56this charming cottage also has two bedrooms and a study.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01So, this is a key part of the extension.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03Where did the building come up to before, Chris?
0:21:03 > 0:21:05It finished there.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07- There?- Yeah, the actual wall there
0:21:07 > 0:21:09is the back wall of the actual cottage,
0:21:09 > 0:21:11so all this side of it is new build.
0:21:11 > 0:21:16Right. And in terms of planning, any advice you can pass over?
0:21:16 > 0:21:18How did you start on the planning process?
0:21:18 > 0:21:21We employed a good architect, talked about what we wanted.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23We were quite strong in own minds about what we wanted
0:21:23 > 0:21:24but putting that onto paper
0:21:24 > 0:21:27and getting it through the council's a different ballgame.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30We didn't attempt that ourselves. Get a professional to do that.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32Although you're not at phase two yet,
0:21:32 > 0:21:34have you thought about getting plans drawn up
0:21:34 > 0:21:36or have you spoken to an architect at all?
0:21:36 > 0:21:38No, we've not done anything like that yet.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40We're just going to get the initial renovation done
0:21:40 > 0:21:43- and then we'll go from there.- Great.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46Well, look, you have loads on your plate in terms of the renovation,
0:21:46 > 0:21:49but if you could find time for it,
0:21:49 > 0:21:51it's never a bad thing to get a few drawings,
0:21:51 > 0:21:52know what it is you're aiming for
0:21:52 > 0:21:55because at least then you could start the planning process.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57Once you've got planning permission,
0:21:57 > 0:22:00you don't have to build now, you could build in two years' time,
0:22:00 > 0:22:02- but at least you know it's possible...- Yeah.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05And you know you can go ahead with it when you want.
0:22:05 > 0:22:06Yeah, definitely, yeah.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08- I know an architect.- OK.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11- So again, it's a favour for a favour, I hope!- Yeah!
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Well, Chris, thank you. I'm pleased it's turned out so well.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17It's hard to believe it was such a derelict shell
0:22:17 > 0:22:19and now it's a very lived-in, very beautiful home
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- so thank you for showing us your house.- No problem.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25- And guys, I hope it's been helpful having a look around.- It has.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31In Enfield, Empty Property Officer Dave Carter
0:22:31 > 0:22:34is checking up on a house that's been vacant for two years.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39The house had fallen prey to squatters
0:22:39 > 0:22:42but the good news is, an owner has now come forward.
0:22:42 > 0:22:43The current owner has called me
0:22:43 > 0:22:45and said, "Look, Dave, I need some help.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48"I'm trying get this house back into use, so I need to do a quick survey,
0:22:48 > 0:22:51"see if it's eligible for a grant from the council
0:22:51 > 0:22:52"and then I can talk to them
0:22:52 > 0:22:56"about options for getting this house back into use as soon as possible."
0:22:56 > 0:22:58The squatters have moved on
0:22:58 > 0:22:59and the house is boarded up
0:22:59 > 0:23:02and Dave needs to get inside to assess the damage.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07Ah, right yes, now this...
0:23:07 > 0:23:11Straightaway, this strikes out to me as being a bit of a suspicion.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15A lot of the Artex before 1990
0:23:15 > 0:23:19is known to contain asbestos.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22This certainly looks pre-1990. I'm going to have to get it checked.
0:23:22 > 0:23:27It's not a good start before I even get in the main part of the house.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30The squatters have left the house in a terrible state.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34This fuse box has been tampered with,
0:23:34 > 0:23:37we've got wires that have been sliced
0:23:37 > 0:23:40and fuses there that have been missed.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42We're going to have to get the whole electrics checked out.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49But it's not just the electrics that are a cause for concern.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54Boiler looks like it's got some sort of "Do not use"
0:23:54 > 0:23:58so I'm pretty sure that, you know,
0:23:58 > 0:24:01any gas safe engineer who comes in here is going to condemn that.
0:24:04 > 0:24:09The garden itself is evidence of the squatters.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12There's even a disabled buggy out there.
0:24:12 > 0:24:13It'll all have to be cleared out.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16It's going to have to be re-lawned as well out there.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18Just a bit of a mess all round.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24'I'll go back, prepare a schedule of works for the owner,
0:24:24 > 0:24:28'speak to him about getting the house back into use as soon as possible'
0:24:28 > 0:24:30and we can get the house loved again.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35It was a neighbour who alerted the council to the squatters
0:24:35 > 0:24:36and now Dave wants to update them
0:24:36 > 0:24:40to reassure them that matters are in hand.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43I believe you've had quite a few years of problems.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46Yeah, about... Must be at least three years.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48We had squatters in for about seven months,
0:24:48 > 0:24:51and there was about 20 of them in there.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54It was, you know, it was an absolute nightmare.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57Hopefully, I'm in touch with the owner now,
0:24:57 > 0:24:59he seems like he's got a plan for the house.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03I think we are going to be able to help him out with a grant,
0:25:03 > 0:25:05so thanks for bringing it to my attention.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07I'm glad I've been able to help you.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11- No, that's fine. Thank you for all your help.- Bye-bye.- Bye, then.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15The owner has since decided to sell the property
0:25:15 > 0:25:18and the new owner is carrying out renovations.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22It makes us feel happy.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26We won't have to have a boarded property next door to us,
0:25:26 > 0:25:28and hopefully, nice neighbours.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37Jack and Lisa have been getting some valuable advice
0:25:37 > 0:25:40about transforming their empty property into their perfect home.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44So guys, having had a look around, what are your thoughts?
0:25:44 > 0:25:46Yeah, really good.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48He's managed to keep the cottage,
0:25:48 > 0:25:51but with all modern features in, things like that.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54And I think really good advice is that it's never too soon
0:25:54 > 0:25:56- to be looking into the planning side of things.- Yeah.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59It means that when you are ready and the money's available,
0:25:59 > 0:26:01- you know what you can do. - Yeah, definitely.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04I think that's something we'll look at doing quite quickly.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07And overall, it must show you you're on the right path.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10I mean, this was a complete derelict shell, and now it's a lovely home.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13- Yeah.- Yours was never in such a bad condition,
0:26:13 > 0:26:16and you're well on the way, so that must feel pretty good?
0:26:16 > 0:26:20- Yeah. It does.- Yeah, it's quite uplifting to see that can be done.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23I'm really impressed, actually, with everything you've done so far.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27You're well on your way and you're going to have a great home there,
0:26:27 > 0:26:29so I do wish you the very best of luck
0:26:29 > 0:26:32and I hope you're in before the end of the year
0:26:32 > 0:26:35- and you can start enjoying it. - Thank you.- Good luck.- Thank you.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38I think there's been some really good inspiration for Jack and Lisa today,
0:26:38 > 0:26:41particularly with the layout, the design and some of the features,
0:26:41 > 0:26:44but also, some good, practical advice
0:26:44 > 0:26:47of what they need to think about for their next stage -
0:26:47 > 0:26:48building that extension.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50So with all that behind them,
0:26:50 > 0:26:53plus the work they've already done on their house,
0:26:53 > 0:26:54I've got no doubts that before long,
0:26:54 > 0:26:58they're soon going to have that family home they so desire.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd