Everything you need to know about buying a Victorian property

Victorian properties are a very popular choice because of their period features and well-built structures. When buying a Victorian property, you should always undertake a full building survey. Here are a few things you should pay attention to when searching for a Victorian property to ensure you make the right choice.

Location

Victorian properties are mostly terraced homes. The first thing you want to check is that the whole terrace still exists. If the terraced homes around the property are gone, it is important to pay attention to why they are no longer there and what has replaced them.

Period Features

When buying a Victorian property, you want it to look as traditional as possible. In many cases, original features were replaced in the ’60s and ’70s with more modern features, so it’s important to keep an eye out for these. If they have been replaced, they should be a good replica.

Roofs and Ceilings

Victorian homes featured slate roofs. These are a lovely feature, but they need to be checked before purchasing a property. Replacing these slates can be very costly. It’s also important to check out the ceilings in the property. Original Victorian plaster ceilings should have been replaced because they can be unstable.

Subsidence

Old properties weren’t built on the most solid foundations, and Victorian homes are no exception. With a home buyers survey London property hunters can see if the Victorian house they’re considering has any sort of subsidence. Hairline cracks are not unusual, but anything larger is a definite red flag. Other signs of subsidence include buckling window sills and doors not closing properly. You can find out more about home surveys at https://www.samconveyancing.co.uk/Homebuyers-Survey/Home-Buyers-Survey-London.

Damp

The damp protection in old Victorian properties may have cracked and disintegrated over time. This will lead to damp issues that can mar even the most beautiful of homes. Getting damp fixed won’t be an expensive endeavour as long as there isn’t any structural damage to accompany it.

Layout

Victorian properties follow a standard format that is completely adaptable to modern living. If the property has been modernised to have an open plan, ensure all of the correct fire safety equipment is in place.

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