Buying House In Conservation Area – Pros and Cons

Many homebuyers are drawn to the picturesque neighbourhoods of conservation areas across the UK. With beautiful, quaint surroundings, usually close to beautiful countryside or urban areas with period architecture, it’s no surprise that these are seen as desirable places to live. Only 2.2% of England is a conservation area – but when you consider that this percentage covers an area larger than Luxembourg, then that likely encompasses a great many properties. From the coastal town of Berwick upon Tweed in Northumberland to Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales, there are plenty of beauty spots which are listed as conservation areas. But what does it mean to live in a conservation area? And, what things should you know as a potential house buyer?

How do you know a property is in a conservation area?

The easiest way to check if a property is in a conversation area is to speak to the seller or your local estate agent. It’s generally considered a selling point rather than a negative, so sellers shouldn’t be shy about owning up to their conservation status. This doesn’t tend to come up in standard property searches so you can’t rely on this alone. You can also check the website of the local authority which should have a map outlining the conservation areas.

Pros

• Beautiful surroundings

Conservation areas tend to be noted for their architectural beauty or historic interest. They have a unique character that is well preserved. This makes them desirable places to live and attracts a community that values preserving England’s charming character, culture and history.

• Can sell for a premium

Your property is likely to sell for a premium in the future, due to a higher than average annual growth for houses in conservation areas.

Cons

• You will have limitations on the type of work you can do on your property

One potential disadvantage of buying a property in a conservation area is that there are restrictions in place on the type of changes you can make to the building. However, arguably, without these restrictions the area you want to buy wouldn’t have its distinctive character.

The rules will be outlined by the local authority, and it’s worth checking what these are before purchasing a property in a conservation area. After all, you don’t want to get your hopes up on renovating the house to find you can’t make half the changes you want to. These limitations are strictly endorsed and if you break the rules, you could face a prison sentence.

• Properties tend to be more expensive

Properties in a conservation area tend to sell for a premium, making them more expensive to buy.

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