Question Author
I thought maybe council although they look a bit too nice than for council if that makes sense (though I do live next to Moss Side in Manchester so that's compared to some pretty poor housing stock)? I've seen For Sale and To Let signs up there too before now so at least some of them are privately owned.
I will ask if I see someone outside or at the bus stop or similar, would feel too rude and nosy knocking on a door :) Trouble is I get the bus to work before 7am so not usually people about then when I'm at the bus stop.
I wondered about removing the chimneys as there is scaffolding around the chimneys themselves as well the whole rest of the house. Could be rooves, they don't look in bad condition but me saying that isn't saying much as I know sod all about that kind of thing :)
It's going up a bit sporadically and gradually at the moment so maybe a contractor thing. Might be more obvious when actual work starts, no sign yet but I'm out from about 6.45am to about 7.30pm with work on a normal day so wouldn't necessarily see.
Will see if I can find out!