We're off to view a large Victorian-era detached house next week. Upsides - tons of space, big garden, lovely big living area, near town centre amenities etc, 2 x open fireplaces. In broad terms, it doesn't require extension and will provide us family space until the kids are grown up and have flown the nest.

What concerns me is the (presumably) higher maintenance and utility costs. I'm expecting the EPC to be horrendous (not yet seen, only just gone on the market), annual heating costs to be extortionate (especially with two chimneys!). Have not yet confirmed the state of electrics, plumbing, roof, chimneys, boiler etc but it looks well-maintained from the few shots I've seen. However, I'm anticipating that there will be a far higher level of niggling maintenance required over the years.

I've read various guides and have just ordered the Haynes manual (noduff) from Amazon. Has anyone got personal experience of owning / renting a Victorian property? Any particular bad experiences? Any guesstimate for annual heating costs for a 4 bedroom, 3 reception room detached Victorian? (no idea about existing insulation etc yet).

Any other pitfalls associated with Victorian properties of which I should be aware? e.g. insurance costs etc?

Work-house kids falling down the chimney every so often.

Originally Posted by rebel_with_a_cause

Work-house kids falling down the chimney every so often.

So I should factor in the cost of a small crash-mat at the bottom of each chimney?

If it has a cellar, you will be fine.

Originally Posted by Cabana

If it has a cellar, you will be fine.

is that a general observation, or connected with the chimney sweeps?

Good chance of:
Old wiring
Lead piping
No damp proof course
Draughty Sash Windows
cracked ceilings

You may need
secondary glazing unless the planners allow PVC windows
The services of a good electrician
Get rid of the lead piping (scrap value?)
Silicone inject damp proof course
Check the roof for insulation and may not have felt under battens

Apart from that it's just about the best place for kids, they can't do too much damage.

I have never owned a Victorian place, and probably never will because my husband is not into that sort of house. However, I used to be a mortgage underwriter so my first thought would be to get a full building survey (previously known as Structural) if you do want to buy. The last thing you want to do is buy it with a half hearted survey only to find that there are some serious issues that need rectifying asap. Especially with young kids in tow. Plus if you have one done and work does need doing you could always negotiate hard with the vendors.

From experience I have seen a few surveys on Victorian houses and for the most they have been structurally sound, but like people, every house is different.



**slinks off to the corner feeling extremely jealous because her stupid husband wants to buy a 2 year old house**

Originally Posted by samm1551

I have never owned a Victorian place, and probably never will because my husband is not into that sort of house. However, I used to be a mortgage underwriter so my first thought would be to get a full building survey (previously known as Structural) if you do want to buy. The last thing you want to do is buy it with a half hearted survey only to find that there are some serious issues that need rectifying asap. Especially with young kids in tow. Plus if you have one done and work does need doing you could always negotiate hard with the vendors.

From experience I have seen a few surveys on Victorian houses and for the most they have been structurally sound, but like people, every house is different.

thanks, I've already factored in £1000 for full structural survey - possibly from someone specialising in surveying Victorian properties?

DJB - I'll be asking the estate agent on monday for details about damp-proof course, insulation etc, will try and get a modern history of work completed on the house. all but two small windows have been replaced with UPVC double glazing. cheers for the checklist.

I live in a re-furbished Victorian hospital.

Make sure that there are no building regs around appearance of building, in particular the dreaded 'listed' status. If you get a whiff of them ask for confirmation that approval has been sought for the UPVC installation.
Cannot give you any advice on the interior aspects of living and the costs. Our place is Grade II and has been gutted and throughly modernised inside. From bitter experience if you have any ceilings in your hallway that go higher than an average ladder factor in how much redecoration is going to cost. the near 30 ft high ceiling above our hallway and stairs are more than a little above the ability of the average DIY'er for decoration

I'd sooner live in that sort of place than a modern house. For a start the walls will be brick instead of plasterboard, it'll have proper wood floors not chipboard etc etc.

Fireplaces are fine. You can burn wood in them which is free if you ask in hte right places and plan properly. Key point though - close doors. They are there for a reason. Otherwise the fire that is lit will draw cold air through the ones that aren't.

Nothing to stop you insulating the loft etc.

I run a large two bedroom house* with fires in the sitting room, dining room and main bedroom. Costs about £30/ month in coal averaged across the year. Only usually put the central heating on for an hour morning and evening during midwinter.

If you want the place like a sauna then you might be better with some modern chipboard ticky tacky house instead.

*(i.e. it's large for a two bedroom place, rooms are about 16ft square.)