 You might have fallen completely in love with a charmingly tumbledown cottage but has your potential property really got everything you need?
Energy
Most rural properties don't have mains gas. An efficient and clean energy source, Calor LPG can be used in exactly the same way as mains gas for heating, cooking and hot water: set-up costs are competitive as tank installation and the cost of the boiler are both less than for oil. Storage tanks can be fitted above or below ground and 'The Think Tank' tells Calor how much gas is in your tank, so that an automatic gas delivery can be arranged. Tank insurance and maintenance is covered by Calor.
Waste
What's the sewerage or water system? If there is a septic tank, how old is it? Older tanks are often too small or damaged to cope with the quantity of water used by a modern household.
Access
Is the property down an unmade road that's inaccessible to lorries? Is it impassable in winter? If you need regular deliveries this is not ideal. What is the right of access? Do you have to cross someone else's land to get to your house?
Condition
What state is the house in? Blown plaster, damp and peeling paint are easily treated but bulging walls, large cracks and broken lintels could spell subsidence, which may make the house
uninsurable. Get a full structural survey on any property of age.
Size
How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need? What about an office, outbuildings or a garage? Cottages rarely have cellars or large attics.
Layout
Open-plan, high-tech living isn't easy in rustic retreats. If a property is listed you can't remove walls or put up satellite dishes. Don't try to make a simple house grand or rip out original features: you'll destroy its character and reduce its value. |
