Lots of homeowners in the UK are curious to know when their property was first built. For some, this information can be important for their decision-making going forwards, or it may have been requested by a potential buyer – while others like to know simply because it’s interesting.
Whatever your motivation for discovering the age of your property, there are several different methods you can use to get this information. In the blog below, we’ve taken a look at how you can discover this information; why it is important to find it out; and whether your house can be ‘too old’.
How can I find out when my house was built?
In the United Kingdom, there are four main ways you can discover when your house was built.
Firstly, HM Land Registry keeps records of when most houses were constructed. These records tend to be quite accurate and are therefore a reliable way to discover this information about your property. Keep in mind that a small payment may be required if you wish to access this information. You should also be aware that although HM Land Registry is reliable for the majority of properties, its information can be patchy for period homes.
A second way to find out is by asking the seller of the property (or their estate agent) when you first buy it. In some cases, the estate agent will have a copy of the land registry documentation. The homeowner may have also completed research into this subject themselves, and so could provide you with an estimate.
As a third option, you can contact your local authority. They may have a record of planning permission for the property, which will give you an accurate estimation of when it was built. They could also advise you on when nearby similar homes were built in your area.
Finally, you can discover when your house was built by asking neighbours with similar properties. If the information you are looking for is unavailable for your house, you may still find that other local homeowners have had success with finding out this information. By knowing when their properties were built, it will provide a guideline to when yours might’ve been constructed, too.
Why is it important to know when a house was built?
There could be several different reasons why you want to know when your house was first built.
Firstly, if you have a particularly old house which was built a long time ago, there may be structural modifications required to the property (for your own safety or security) to bring it up to ‘modern standards’.
Sometimes, a homeowner is simply curious about the history of their home. This information may also be requested by a mortgage lender, or a potential buyer of your property.
You never know when having the year of your house’s construction could come in handy – so it is never a bad idea to find out this information.
Is my house too old?
Sometimes, homebuyers are reluctant to purchase a property which they consider ‘too old’. But is this a valid concern?
In some instances, an old property might be less energy efficient. This can have an impact on the owner’s monthly/yearly bills – and if you are struggling to raise enough funds to buy the house in the first place, this may be a ‘deal breaker’.
Secondly, older homes may have outdated appliances and heating. For example, an old home may have an antiquated heating system that needs a complete overhaul at a considerable cost. In general, older homes also need more regular maintenance.
While these factors may be worth taking into consideration with purchasing a property, they shouldn’t cause any significant structural or safety issues.
On some occasions, the age of your property may cause difficulties when selling it, if the method of construction is significantly different to modern-day standards, meaning that many lenders do not offer a mortgage on it. For example, if your property is an airy house which was built immediately after World War Two, it is almost impossible to secure a mortgage on it unless it has undergone an approved program of refurbishment and repair.
There are pros and cons to buying an older house, compared with a ‘new build’ property. You should complete thorough research on all of these before jumping into a decision either way.
Alternative options for selling your old house
It is challenging to sell a house which has structural issues, is derelict, or which was constructed using methods which do not meet modern standards. In these instances, you may be forced to spend lots of money on getting the house repaired if you wish to sell it ‘on the market’ in the traditional way.
Fortunately, alternative selling options do exist. The main option available to you is to sell your house with a cash house buyer like We Buy Any Home.
