Derelict / run down building buying and restoration

[Iggle Piggle]

I have my eye on a boarded up derelict building that has been empty for many years. (roof tiles missing, lead stolen, etc)
Has anyone else bought one in this condition and brought it back to use?
thanks

[tildakovach]

On this very website I received the best advice from Builders Mate to buy the book the Housebuilders' Bible.
On Amazon �7.06 delivered, and it has become my bedtime reading - to my husband's greatest annoyance! FANTASTIC, will convince you -or will make you run a mile! Ether way will help to decide!
good luck. t.k.

[buildersmate]

Its true, but I would caution using that book for renovations. It is principally about building new (from scratch). The trouble is assessing what the existing problems are - and hence the extent to which readies will have to be thrown at the problem to put it right.
Structural, foundation and damp from below problems are probably the hardest - simply because they are the most expensive to put right.
However old houses were built to big safety margins and are often abused an awful lot before real decay takes hold.
Provided you are willing to invest in a professional surveyor to run over the thing, it could be a good way forward for you.

[Iggle Piggle]

Thanks for both replies, very helpful.
To fill things in a bit, the house was built in the early 1980's and has been abandoned since then !
apart from weather-damp through the missing tiles and flashing, the structure is sound.
I am having the plot valued, and maybe the next step is to order a full structural survey?

[Mr Veritas]

If it has been derelict for a very long time the Council may have declared it as "abandonded" which may prevent if from being renovated.
This may seem odd,but we have a house in the village that was seriously derelict,the new owner didn't check, and now has a useless site on his hands.
It cannot be restored to a habitable building,it is in fact just classed as a piece of derelict land with no further use,apart from car parking etc.

[buildersmate]

What Mr V says is true, but unlikely in this case. The question-asker refers to a house with complete walls but missing parts to the roof. A house has to be very dilapidated before the local planning authority regard it is abandoned. The onus is on the planning authority to show why they consider that the house had been ' abandoned as a domestic dwelling'. Merely it not having been lived in for x years isn't sufficient reason.

[buildersmate]

Iggie - yes, you certainly would be well-advised to invest in a surveyor's time to assess the structural integrity of the structure. You don't need what is referred to as a full survey - because there is no point looking for leaky pipes or electrical systems integrity.
Concentrate on the 'expensive to put right components'. Foundations, walls, roof structure, intregity of main drainage pipes to main sewer, damp ingress from below (perhaps). However if water has been getting in from above the latter may well be impossible to assess.

[Iggle Piggle]

Thank you BM. Your correct, there is no central heating and the main water and power incomers are capped so a structural survey is what I would need.
How would I find out if the property is on a main sewer or septic tank? or do I need to contact the council or water authority and ask ?
I could ask the owner but don't want to jeopordise any sales transaction....