0:00:02 > 0:00:05'Up and down the country, there are empty properties
0:00:05 > 0:00:08'just waiting to be brought back to life.'
0:00:08 > 0:00:11I'll be finding out what you can do
0:00:11 > 0:00:13to rescue a home for yourself.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16We follow the Empty Property Officers
0:00:16 > 0:00:21who find the owners of forgotten houses and get them back into use
0:00:21 > 0:00:25and I'll be finding out more about our housing stock,
0:00:25 > 0:00:28our history and why we should be both preserving
0:00:28 > 0:00:31and reinventing Britain's empty homes.
0:00:36 > 0:00:40Taking on an empty house can be the best way of making it truly yours -
0:00:40 > 0:00:45there'll be many highs and lows and it will be a challenging journey,
0:00:45 > 0:00:50but the motivation is you're not just rescuing an abandoned house,
0:00:50 > 0:00:53you're also creating your dream home.
0:00:53 > 0:00:58'Today - a couple who bought a house in Shropshire on a whim,...'
0:00:58 > 0:01:02Masses of work to do, totally inexperienced, clueless,
0:01:02 > 0:01:04but an eternal optimist.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07'..a regeneration project in Stoke-on-Trent
0:01:07 > 0:01:12'inspired by the revival of the UK's oldest pottery factory...'
0:01:12 > 0:01:15This area hasn't had a lot of investment for many years
0:01:15 > 0:01:18and something like this is a catalyst - it brings hope.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21'..and an Empty Property Officer in Kent
0:01:21 > 0:01:24'who's on the case of a house that's been abandoned for eight years.'
0:01:24 > 0:01:27It's like the Mary Celeste.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29They were here and then left.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35'Tim and Deborah Dovey from Shropshire
0:01:35 > 0:01:38'weren't on the lookout for a new home,
0:01:38 > 0:01:40'but when Tim passed this abandoned building,
0:01:40 > 0:01:43'he knew it was something special.'
0:01:43 > 0:01:46Never been here before, I came across this property
0:01:46 > 0:01:49and I thought "I love this idyllic spot",
0:01:49 > 0:01:53beautiful sunny day, nothing but animals in the fields -
0:01:53 > 0:01:55it strikes me as great.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59Tim was really keen, I thought I'd go and have a look -
0:01:59 > 0:02:03I didn't think much, to be honest. I was quite shocked.
0:02:03 > 0:02:09'Tim convinced Deborah they should buy it to renovate and sell on,
0:02:09 > 0:02:13'so they paid ?201,000 for it in a sealed bid.'
0:02:13 > 0:02:16I thought "That'll keep him busy for the next 12 months."
0:02:16 > 0:02:18Out of your hair. Yeah, out of my hair.
0:02:18 > 0:02:23But then, as time went on, he said "How about us moving over here?",
0:02:23 > 0:02:26which, to be honest, I did take some persuading
0:02:26 > 0:02:29and Tim did say "I won't force you to move."
0:02:29 > 0:02:32But, if I didn't, I'd be thinking "What if?",
0:02:32 > 0:02:34so we're going for it.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38'Tim will take on the lion's share of managing the renovation
0:02:38 > 0:02:43'and what he lacks in experience he makes up for in enthusiasm.'
0:02:43 > 0:02:47I have no idea whatsoever in respect of what I'm taking on
0:02:47 > 0:02:51and what's involved, especially a project of this magnitude.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55The fact that it is falling down is actually a plus for me
0:02:55 > 0:02:58because it allows us to do literally whatever.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02'They estimate it will take six to eight months to complete,
0:03:02 > 0:03:06'but they have concerns that the ?250,000 budget won't be enough
0:03:06 > 0:03:11'to turn this dilapidated cottage into a modern home.'
0:03:11 > 0:03:14The financial side of it is completed on my shoulders.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18The last thing I'd want to do is find ourselves in a situation
0:03:18 > 0:03:21where we have to compromise on our dream home
0:03:21 > 0:03:23because we've run out of money -
0:03:23 > 0:03:27for me, it will feel like a little bit of a failure.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30Doom and gloom. I don't think it is, but you've got to consider it.
0:03:30 > 0:03:35I think you've got to be optimistic and try and enjoy the whole thing,
0:03:35 > 0:03:38as opposed to looking at all the negatives.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42For me, it's seeing the end result in a beautiful location,
0:03:42 > 0:03:44with the house of our dreams,
0:03:44 > 0:03:46relaxing and looking back
0:03:46 > 0:03:48and thinking "I'm glad we did this."
0:03:48 > 0:03:51I can't wait to see the first wall coming down
0:03:51 > 0:03:55as long as the rest of the building doesn't come down with it!
0:03:55 > 0:03:58'They've completed on the house
0:03:58 > 0:04:01'and they're now deciding on the style and layout.'
0:04:01 > 0:04:05'Hopefully, I can help them with the next step in the process.'
0:04:05 > 0:04:09Deborah. Morning, Joe. Tim. Tim, how are you doing?
0:04:09 > 0:04:12Tell me about this place. It's looking sorry for itself.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15It's been unoccupied for 16 years,
0:04:15 > 0:04:19it was part of the nearby farm buildings, occupied by farm workers.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23At one point in time, there was up to 14 people living here,
0:04:23 > 0:04:27which you'll see - goodness knows how that was happening.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30All right, let's go and have a look inside.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34'This 18th-century cottage sits on a quarter of an acre of land
0:04:34 > 0:04:36'and isn't a listed building.'
0:04:36 > 0:04:40'Tim believes his budget of ?250,000 will go furthest
0:04:40 > 0:04:43'if he uses it to expand the existing property
0:04:43 > 0:04:46'by an impressive 110 per cent,
0:04:46 > 0:04:49'rather than pull it down and start again.'
0:04:49 > 0:04:52Wow, look at this. What was your first impression?
0:04:52 > 0:04:55Masses of work to do, totally inexperienced, clueless,
0:04:55 > 0:04:58but an eternal optimist.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00I think it's going to turn out fantastic.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04I just thought "Oh, my God, what have we bought?"
0:05:04 > 0:05:06Really? Yeah. What won you over?
0:05:06 > 0:05:09I just think it's the lifestyle change
0:05:09 > 0:05:13and if we don't do it, we'll probably regret it, so...
0:05:13 > 0:05:16Got to try. Yes, definitely.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20Very brave. Well, what is the plan? What do you want to do here?
0:05:20 > 0:05:25We've basically taken the existing footprint of this shell
0:05:25 > 0:05:28and we're going to double the size of the house.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30That will remain the front door,
0:05:30 > 0:05:34this will be the hall and then you would be walking through a door
0:05:34 > 0:05:36into the large kitchen-dining area,
0:05:36 > 0:05:39looking out the back with a view across the fields.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43So very open-plan. What's the final look and feel going to be?
0:05:43 > 0:05:47Are the beams going to stay? I want to create a modern feel inside.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49We're still having discussions
0:05:49 > 0:05:52because Deb is keen to retain some of the old features.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54Yeah, I saw you sigh, Deborah,
0:05:54 > 0:05:56when he said "modern stuff".
0:05:56 > 0:06:00No, I do like modern, I just think that, because it's so old,
0:06:00 > 0:06:05it would be nice to retain some character... There's a compromise.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08This is positive. I've no doubt that we'll reach it.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12We'll have to. Are those beams in your plans? Not at the moment.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15This big beam is where the stairs are going to go.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19You've got stairs where the beams were - you can't keep the beams.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21I'll let you discuss the rest.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23I think that's a discussion for later!
0:06:23 > 0:06:27Well, let's see a bit more. Shall we pop upstairs? Sure.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33'The first floor needs a complete overhaul
0:06:33 > 0:06:36'and will be expanded from three bedrooms to four,
0:06:36 > 0:06:38'with two ensuites.'
0:06:38 > 0:06:42This will be the guest bedroom. So it's a good-size room.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46So this will be a total renovation - rewiring, replumbing -
0:06:46 > 0:06:50it's a shell you'll add to. What do you want to do yourselves?
0:06:50 > 0:06:53The novelty value may bring me down here every day
0:06:53 > 0:06:55until I get fed up with it.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57Have you got a contractor in place?
0:06:57 > 0:07:00We've got some close friends that have a building company
0:07:00 > 0:07:05and we're able to use them literally as a one-stop shop.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08If something goes wrong, I've only got one person to go to
0:07:08 > 0:07:10to say "It needs fixing."
0:07:10 > 0:07:14It's clear where responsibility lies. And where will you be living?
0:07:14 > 0:07:18Are you keeping the family home? When we get consent for the build,
0:07:18 > 0:07:21we'll put our existing house up for sale -
0:07:21 > 0:07:24it gives us time to not need to take the first offer,
0:07:24 > 0:07:28but if someone comes along in a couple of weeks
0:07:28 > 0:07:32and says "I love your house", we'd be homeless.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36Are you uneasy about this, Deborah? Yeah, I'm not moving into a caravan.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40The family can move into the mobile home and I'll go to a hotel.
0:07:40 > 0:07:45Do you worry about your lack of experience? Is it exciting?
0:07:45 > 0:07:49Or daunting because you don't know how it'll work? I like a challenge.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53As soon as this is complete, I'll have to think about what to do next.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56Oh, dear. Mm. Ominous, isn't it?
0:07:58 > 0:08:01'Clearly, Tim is incredibly ambitious.'
0:08:01 > 0:08:04'But, with very little experience,
0:08:04 > 0:08:08'he needs as much input as possible before work starts.'
0:08:08 > 0:08:10You're both up for this challenge?
0:08:10 > 0:08:12Yep, just have to stay optimistic.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15What'll be useful at this stage
0:08:15 > 0:08:18is to see another building that's also in an agricultural setting
0:08:18 > 0:08:23and it has been thoroughly transformed for modern living,
0:08:23 > 0:08:27which is what you face here, plus you'll meet the guy who's done it
0:08:27 > 0:08:32and tell you how it was. Does that sound helpful? Very. Sounds great.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37As challenges go, this place is right up there,
0:08:37 > 0:08:41especially given that they haven't taken on anything like this before.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45There are still a few points they're unsure of,
0:08:45 > 0:08:47particularly the final look and feel of the house,
0:08:47 > 0:08:50so it'll be good to see a place that's been renovated
0:08:50 > 0:08:53and thoroughly modernised
0:08:53 > 0:08:58just to help them visualise how their future home is going to be.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04'In the UK, there are many abandoned houses like Tim and Deborah's
0:09:04 > 0:09:09'that could be restored to use and, with imagination and hard work,
0:09:09 > 0:09:11'the results can be surprising.'
0:09:11 > 0:09:14'In Gloucestershire, Matt and Amanda Aitkenhead
0:09:14 > 0:09:17'wanted to take on a house in a rural setting,
0:09:17 > 0:09:21'so when they found this vicarage, originally built in 1856,
0:09:21 > 0:09:24'they knew they'd found their new home.'
0:09:24 > 0:09:28All of our family and all of our friends said "You must be mad",
0:09:28 > 0:09:32but we both knew, from our first viewing, that we wanted it.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35'So Matt and Amanda took a gamble
0:09:35 > 0:09:38'and paid ?750,000 for the old vicarage
0:09:38 > 0:09:41'that had lain empty for three years.'
0:09:41 > 0:09:45It's a building that deserved a second lease of life
0:09:45 > 0:09:49and it wasn't so far gone that it was beyond our budget to do that.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51We knew there was money to be spent,
0:09:51 > 0:09:54but it would be money well invested.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56'In a bid to keep costs down,
0:09:56 > 0:10:00'Matt, a builder by trade, carried out a lot of the work himself,
0:10:00 > 0:10:04'but the reality of such a big project came as a shock to Amanda.'
0:10:04 > 0:10:08I had got no history whatsoever of buying a property,
0:10:08 > 0:10:11an empty one at that, and doing it up,
0:10:11 > 0:10:13so I was very naive.
0:10:13 > 0:10:18I had no idea that Matt would be leaving at five in the morning
0:10:18 > 0:10:20to come and start the project going
0:10:20 > 0:10:23and then, after work, he would be back at the house.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26At that point, I realised what we'd taken on
0:10:26 > 0:10:29was having a massive life impact.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32Do you remember those bad times that you had
0:10:32 > 0:10:34when you thought you'd taken too much on?
0:10:34 > 0:10:38Yeah, there were some dark moments, I accept that,
0:10:38 > 0:10:40and, if I may step in,
0:10:40 > 0:10:44the point at which we started talking about finishes
0:10:44 > 0:10:47and you became more heavily involved in those decisions,
0:10:47 > 0:10:51that made it feel a more combined effort, not just a building project.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54When it was talk of floor finishes, kitchens, detail,
0:10:54 > 0:10:57that was when you came into your own.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01It wasn't that I made the decisions and you chose the paint colours!
0:11:01 > 0:11:04But you did! That's not true.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08I'm a builder and I know the impact these things have on people
0:11:08 > 0:11:11because I see the stress that it gives other couples,
0:11:11 > 0:11:15so there's no excuse for me feeling battered by it, but I was.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19It was very demanding, both physically and mentally.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21'But, despite these trying times,
0:11:21 > 0:11:26'Matt and Amanda have created a unique and luxurious home.'
0:11:26 > 0:11:31The house has a lovely, lived-in feel now the children are here.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34I really feel the house has come back to life again.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38We've had family weddings here - we've got a big lawn space,
0:11:38 > 0:11:40so we've had marquees up.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43The church fete - they have that here, as the old vicarage.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46It's a lovely link to the village.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49There were tough times for us both,
0:11:49 > 0:11:51but it was a good experience.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53It was absolutely worth it.
0:11:53 > 0:11:58I'm really happy here. I love the family that we have created in here,
0:11:58 > 0:12:00I love Matt for doing it
0:12:00 > 0:12:03and I really don't want to do it again, thanks.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08'Restoring Britain's forgotten buildings
0:12:08 > 0:12:12'and turning them into family homes is undoubtedly rewarding
0:12:12 > 0:12:16'and in some areas can even inspire a community regeneration.'
0:12:16 > 0:12:20Empty homes and economic decline often go hand in hand,
0:12:20 > 0:12:23as is the case in Stoke-on-Trent.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27Traditionally, the city was reliant on pottery and ceramic industries,
0:12:27 > 0:12:31but when they hit hard times, so too did the local area,
0:12:31 > 0:12:35resulting in row upon row of these abandoned terrace houses.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39'Indeed, Stoke-on-Trent has the highest percentage of empty houses
0:12:39 > 0:12:40'in the West Midlands,
0:12:40 > 0:12:45'but, thanks to investment from the Prince's Regeneration Trust,
0:12:45 > 0:12:46'that's hopefully going to change.'
0:12:46 > 0:12:51'The UK's last working Victorian pottery factory, Middleport Pottery,
0:12:51 > 0:12:53'is being revived
0:12:53 > 0:12:56'and so too are the rows of houses that surround it.'
0:12:56 > 0:12:59'Teresa Fox-Wells is involved with the project.'
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Teresa, tell me about Middleport Pottery -
0:13:02 > 0:13:06how long's it been operating on pottery on this site?
0:13:06 > 0:13:08Well, the building was built in 1888
0:13:08 > 0:13:12and Burleigh, the manufacturers, have been producing here since then.
0:13:12 > 0:13:17What is the state of these buildings today? A bit on the sad side.
0:13:17 > 0:13:22They were all in a bad way, they'd been left in disrepair for years,
0:13:22 > 0:13:26so there was a lot of work to get them watertight and up to standard.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30This has caught my imagination. I was expecting automatic processes,
0:13:30 > 0:13:32but it's very labour intensive.
0:13:32 > 0:13:37There are some machines on site, but even those are 1930s, 1940s,
0:13:37 > 0:13:40but these are traditional techniques by skilled work people
0:13:40 > 0:13:43and people do love to see what's happening here.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45What's the local area like now?
0:13:45 > 0:13:48It hasn't had a lot of investment for many years
0:13:48 > 0:13:52and something like this is a catalyst, it brings in investment,
0:13:52 > 0:13:53it brings hope.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57It's not just the buildings, there's an increase in jobs and tourism.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59So it just needed that kick-start.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03It's a lot of money - how much are we talking? 8.5 million.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06It's quite a lot of money, but in future,
0:14:06 > 0:14:09the building will bring in its own income from rent, events,
0:14:09 > 0:14:12from all sorts of things that'll be happening here.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15'Just outside the factory,
0:14:15 > 0:14:18'the housing phase of the regeneration is underway.'
0:14:18 > 0:14:21'A partnership involving the council, Empty Homes charity
0:14:21 > 0:14:23'and a local housing association
0:14:23 > 0:14:27'is offering a 25 per-cent stake in a house for just ?1.'
0:14:27 > 0:14:31'The remaining 75 per cent and responsibility for the renovation
0:14:31 > 0:14:34'will be taken on by the housing association.'
0:14:34 > 0:14:38'Ruth Rosenau is the city council cabinet member for regeneration.'
0:14:38 > 0:14:41Ruth, there's a row of empty properties here,
0:14:41 > 0:14:45next to the Middleport Pottery site - what were they originally?
0:14:45 > 0:14:49These would originally have been for the workers from the pottery.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53Why are so many empty now? What sort of change has happened locally?
0:14:53 > 0:14:56A lot of it is where industries have been decimated
0:14:56 > 0:14:58and people have moved away.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02People trapped in those houses that wanted to move out couldn't.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06Nobody wanted to buy in a row that's half empty. That's right.
0:15:06 > 0:15:11So it was about finding innovative ways of bringing them back into use.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13How much work needs to be done here?
0:15:13 > 0:15:16They'll need a different amount of structural work.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20Some will need underpinning because of the pottery waste underneath
0:15:20 > 0:15:22and there are some mineshafts.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25You've got to be careful
0:15:25 > 0:15:27that people don't see an opportunity to just flip a property.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30That's why we've said people have to live here for five years,
0:15:30 > 0:15:32they have to commit to the area.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35How important is that site for regenerating the area?
0:15:35 > 0:15:40Very important. It's made people realise that the industry is alive
0:15:40 > 0:15:45and it's brought focus - people are aware it's a tourist attraction.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48And that can spill out onto these streets. It can.
0:15:48 > 0:15:53It's brought so much focus into this area, it's been a step forward.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55'As well as affordable housing,
0:15:55 > 0:15:58'work is underway on nearby streets
0:15:58 > 0:16:01'to create two- and four-bedroom houses for the private market.'
0:16:01 > 0:16:07Hey, look at this. So historical architectural features outside -
0:16:07 > 0:16:11lovely brickwork and the same style sash windows have gone back in.
0:16:11 > 0:16:16We've tried to keep the original features, or replicate them.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19So here you'll have people who own the buildings outright -
0:16:19 > 0:16:22round the corner, people who have a stake in the building.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26But the stake is what's important. Some sense of ownership.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30That's right. It's about creating that community
0:16:30 > 0:16:33that's an established community that was somewhat fragmented,
0:16:33 > 0:16:36but is now beginning to be rebuilt.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39A turnaround for the area. Very much so.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44It's great to see Stoke-on-Trent taking advantage of the momentum
0:16:44 > 0:16:48generated by the rescue of the Middleport Pottery site -
0:16:48 > 0:16:51hopefully it'll be a catalyst for change
0:16:51 > 0:16:54as row upon row of these terraced houses are regenerated.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58That's the buildings taken care of - fingers crossed the people follow,
0:16:58 > 0:17:00a community will grow here
0:17:00 > 0:17:04and families will once again be living in these houses.
0:17:05 > 0:17:10'Sadly, not all of Britain's forgotten buildings are rescued.'
0:17:10 > 0:17:12'But, behind the scenes,
0:17:12 > 0:17:15'local-council Empty Property Officers are hard at work
0:17:15 > 0:17:19'tracking down these buildings and restoring them into housing stock.'
0:17:19 > 0:17:23'In Folkestone, Kent, Iain Cobby does just that
0:17:23 > 0:17:27'and he's on his way to one of the more mysterious cases on his books.'
0:17:27 > 0:17:32'The owners abandoned this house and vanished eight years ago.'
0:17:32 > 0:17:35'Numerous complaints had been made by neighbours over the years
0:17:35 > 0:17:38'and the most recent was just last week.'
0:17:38 > 0:17:42I've been told by a member of the public that it may be being squatted
0:17:42 > 0:17:46so I'm going to check that the property is secure.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50Well, it certainly looks overgrown, to say the least.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53'As of today, ensuring the safety and upkeep of the house
0:17:53 > 0:17:55'is legally the council's job
0:17:55 > 0:17:59'as a court order has handed them ownership of the building.'
0:17:59 > 0:18:01And in we go.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05It's quite dark because the back of the property's been boarded up.
0:18:05 > 0:18:10I wouldn't do the front because it says "Hello, this is empty."
0:18:10 > 0:18:14The rear stops anyone that's likely to break into the property.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20Doesn't seem to be any evidence of any forced entry at all.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24It looks, for all intents and purpose, like somebody lives here.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27There's videos, ornaments
0:18:27 > 0:18:29and calendar on the wall
0:18:29 > 0:18:32from 19... 93.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34'Iain looks for signs of squatters,
0:18:34 > 0:18:37'but it seems the possessions are from the original owners,
0:18:37 > 0:18:39'who disappeared.'
0:18:39 > 0:18:41I've had the rear boarded up.
0:18:41 > 0:18:46It was previously used to gain entry by burglars, so we've cut that off.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50I still can't find any signs of any squatters.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52It's almost like the Mary Celeste.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56Somebody looks like they were here and then left.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00'The council plan to sell the house in its current state at auction
0:19:00 > 0:19:02'to recoup its costs.'
0:19:02 > 0:19:04'With downstairs clear of break-ins,
0:19:04 > 0:19:07'Iain needs to make sure upstairs is secure too.'
0:19:07 > 0:19:10Anyone about?
0:19:10 > 0:19:12Amy's room.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17There we are. Look at this.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19Somebody left in a hurry.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21If we look out into the garden,
0:19:21 > 0:19:24the weeds are as high as the house now.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27This is just like it's a time warp.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31Unfortunately, time hasn't been that kind to this property.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34This seems like the main bedroom.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36The effects that are in here
0:19:36 > 0:19:39will have to be stored for the person.
0:19:39 > 0:19:44I've never had a case where we have to put property into storage
0:19:44 > 0:19:46for an indefinite amount of time.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49'The boarding and security measures Iain put in place
0:19:49 > 0:19:52'have kept squatters away
0:19:52 > 0:19:56'and finally he can give neighbours some good news about the building.'
0:19:57 > 0:20:02Good morning, sir. I'm Shepway Council's Empty Homes Officer.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06A neighbour has reported seeing people going into the property.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09Can you tell me if you've seen anything?
0:20:09 > 0:20:12I did see a van turn up under suspicious circumstances
0:20:12 > 0:20:16and some young people were hanging around and we got worried.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19We eventually saw the van move away,
0:20:19 > 0:20:22but I think it was after one neighbour called the police.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25The only real occupants are foxes coming in and out
0:20:25 > 0:20:27and there may be vermin.
0:20:27 > 0:20:32The property is now owned by Shepway District Council
0:20:32 > 0:20:36and we will be selling the property, hopefully at auction.
0:20:36 > 0:20:41I'd like to attend the auction as I've lived next door for three years
0:20:41 > 0:20:46and having weeds and other problems because it's not looked after.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48So I look forward to the auction.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50Thank you. Goodbye.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54Never, ever come across a case like this before -
0:20:54 > 0:20:57the property has been a blight on the neighbourhood
0:20:57 > 0:20:59and such a waste.
0:20:59 > 0:21:05I'm really pleased now that this is going to be a family home.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09'If you've noticed abandoned properties in your area
0:21:09 > 0:21:11'and fancy taking one on,
0:21:11 > 0:21:14'contact estate agents, neighbourhood-watch groups
0:21:14 > 0:21:16'and local traders for information
0:21:16 > 0:21:20'or get in touch with your local Empty Property Officer.'
0:21:21 > 0:21:24'In the West Midlands, I'm with Tim and Deborah,
0:21:24 > 0:21:29'who've taken on a derelict house they intend to renovate completely.'
0:21:29 > 0:21:33'I've brought them to Staffordshire to a similar project
0:21:33 > 0:21:36'in the hope that the owner can shine some light
0:21:36 > 0:21:40'on the realities of what's ahead.'
0:21:40 > 0:21:43Right, this is the place. It is a lot different, isn't it?
0:21:43 > 0:21:47Very different. But I can see it's been renovated, certainly.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51This was originally a ramshackle collection of barns and add-ons
0:21:51 > 0:21:55that's been unified into one home by Kit, who you'll meet.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59The point is it's had to be renovated and modernised
0:21:59 > 0:22:01for 21st-century living. Yep.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05I think Kit will have some really good advice
0:22:05 > 0:22:08and also little touches here, despite the differences,
0:22:08 > 0:22:12that you can use in your own home. OK. Great. Let's go and say hello.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17'Kit Whiteman took on the challenge of converting a barn
0:22:17 > 0:22:21'that had sat empty on his parents' farm for the last 30 years.'
0:22:21 > 0:22:24The building was in a pretty poor state.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26The interior was very ugly
0:22:26 > 0:22:28and it was all concrete-lined -
0:22:28 > 0:22:33you couldn't have tarted it up and moved in. It was a full rebuild.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36'Once Kit took it over from his parents,
0:22:36 > 0:22:40'he discovered that the barn had no concrete foundations
0:22:40 > 0:22:44'and to fix it without breaking the budget, he needed to get creative.'
0:22:44 > 0:22:47I was advised originally to do underpinning,
0:22:47 > 0:22:49which was a huge amount of money.
0:22:49 > 0:22:54It had been specified that an internal wall be load-bearing,
0:22:54 > 0:22:57so we thought that that would sit on a proper foundation
0:22:57 > 0:23:02and the old foundations would be tied to that and halve the cost.
0:23:02 > 0:23:07'And the issues went right to the top of the barn as well.'
0:23:07 > 0:23:10The roof had to come off - that was quite a big job
0:23:10 > 0:23:15and getting the big oak trusses into position was a lot of manpower.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17They were really quite heavy.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20I did a lot of the work myself to save money.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24I spent many a night working till 12 o'clock and later sometimes
0:23:24 > 0:23:27just to get projects finished.
0:23:27 > 0:23:32When it did get tough, I really had to focus on the end result.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35Going into a space that you've created and designed -
0:23:35 > 0:23:38it is a nice feeling.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40The oak beams are a favourite of mine.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44That was something I was really keen to go in
0:23:44 > 0:23:48and gave it a lot of thought how to light them
0:23:48 > 0:23:50and make a feature of them.
0:23:50 > 0:23:55It's a real relief to see everything in place as I imagined it.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59All the little features and design areas that I've concentrated on
0:23:59 > 0:24:02have come off and I'm pleased with how it's turned out.
0:24:02 > 0:24:07I'd be mad to take on something like this with no experience,
0:24:07 > 0:24:09which, luckily, I am.
0:24:10 > 0:24:15'I'm confident this barn will not only inspire Tim and Deborah,
0:24:15 > 0:24:19'but also give them food for thought on issues they're yet to agree on.'
0:24:19 > 0:24:22What do you think, guys? Fantastic. Lovely.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26This is almost identical space to what we're proposing having.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29I like it. Can you imagine yourself here? Definitely.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33Kit, what advice would you give about dividing up the space?
0:24:33 > 0:24:36I was keen that you could stand in the kitchen and cook,
0:24:36 > 0:24:39but still mingle with your guests and entertain,
0:24:39 > 0:24:42so it was quite a big part of the build.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46What do you think of this wood? There's contention in your household
0:24:46 > 0:24:51whether you keep beams on show or not. This is great. It works.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53It doesn't look overly old to me.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55Yeah, it is quite new.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59The big oak beams with the steel pegs makes it quite contemporary.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03If you had it, you'd want clean lines? Yeah, personally.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06Whereas you don't mind it looking like it's old wood?
0:25:06 > 0:25:09I do like the rustic look, but now I'm seeing more of it,
0:25:09 > 0:25:12I do kind of like this!
0:25:12 > 0:25:14Oh, good!
0:25:14 > 0:25:18We're thinking of having bi-folding doors. Would you recommend?
0:25:18 > 0:25:22Absolutely. It's a great way of getting the light in.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24On the ones I've installed,
0:25:24 > 0:25:26it's amazing to open all that up
0:25:26 > 0:25:30and it makes the whole room feel like you're outside.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33You'd've struggled with the bedroom, getting enough light in.
0:25:33 > 0:25:38These guys have got their plans on paper, waiting for approval -
0:25:38 > 0:25:41did you tweak your plans much from that point onwards?
0:25:41 > 0:25:45Yeah, I probably ended up on the tenth plan or something like that
0:25:45 > 0:25:48by the time we finished.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50The end the bedrooms are in,
0:25:50 > 0:25:53I decided the night before the builders started
0:25:53 > 0:25:55to have ensuites in every room.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59Did the builders turn up unsure what they'd be facing?
0:25:59 > 0:26:04Sometimes, yeah. But I'd try and be on site to explain it
0:26:04 > 0:26:08and if you do get the opportunity, get involved with the project.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10You will appreciate the outcome.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14'Throughout the barn, Kit has taken care
0:26:14 > 0:26:18'to combine features to fit with the history and style of the building
0:26:18 > 0:26:20'with more modern additions.'
0:26:22 > 0:26:25So this is the master bedroom.
0:26:25 > 0:26:30Lovely. You've got the doors opening onto... The courtyard, yeah.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32The doors are lovely too. Yeah, I love those.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36I was quite keen to keep the character of the house.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39Kit, what was the budget for this project? 150.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41But we did go over budget.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44A lot of that was in the finishings.
0:26:44 > 0:26:48I've put in a 10 per-cent overrun. But that doesn't take into account
0:26:48 > 0:26:51things such as the lovely tiles we've seen here
0:26:51 > 0:26:56and those types of finishes that give it that extra wow factor.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00To give it that extra edge, 10 per cent probably won't be enough.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02Anything you'd've done differently?
0:27:02 > 0:27:05I would've liked to have planned the budget in more detail,
0:27:05 > 0:27:08but, on your first project, anything can happen.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12What would be your parting advice? You need to know in advance
0:27:12 > 0:27:14exactly what's happening.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17And make sure you understand the plans as much as the builder.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20It's been great to see your place. It's amazing!
0:27:20 > 0:27:23And thanks for your advice. It's a pleasure. Fantastic, thanks.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30There's been a lot here for you to think about, right?
0:27:30 > 0:27:34It's been really beneficial. Potential pitfalls we talked about,
0:27:34 > 0:27:38gave us loads of ideas - certainly you've picked up, Deb. Definitely.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41Has it helped you visualise the space more? A lot more.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44You're warming into your project now, aren't you? Yes, I am.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48You're doubling your place in size, it'll be quite some family home.
0:27:48 > 0:27:53We certainly hope so. Best of luck with it. Thank you. Thank you.
0:27:53 > 0:27:57There's loads of ideas here for Tim and Deborah to take away with them,
0:27:57 > 0:28:01but perhaps more important than that is the advice on offer.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03Money can't buy experience
0:28:03 > 0:28:07and the next best thing is hearing from someone who's been through it.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11Hopefully, with all that, they can go back to their empty shell,
0:28:11 > 0:28:15their project, and soon create their own wonderful home.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd