Lots of homeowners in the UK are curious to know when their property was built.
This information might be needed for a house sale or insurance. Or perhaps it’s just curiosity!
Whatever your motivation, there are several different methods you can use to get this information.
Read on to find out more.
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.
1. Check HM Land Registry
Firstly, HM Land Registry keeps records of when most houses were constructed.
These records tend to be accurate and reliable.
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.
2. Ask the seller
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 as part of the paperwork you receive when you buy the house.
The homeowner may have also completed research into this subject themselves, which will provide you with an estimate.
3. Contact your local authority
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.
4. Ask your neighbours
Finally, you can discover when your house was built by asking neighbours.
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.
After all, there are advantages and disadvantages to older vs. newer properties.
Information on structural modifications
Firstly, if you have a particularly old house, there may be structural modifications required to the property (for your own safety or security) to bring it up to modern standards.
For mortgage applications
This information may also be requested by a mortgage lender, or a potential buyer of your property (who in turn need it for their mortgage lender).
House insurance
House insurers may require this information. This is particularly true of older properties in general, where repairs may be more expensive.
Curiosity
Sometimes, a homeowner is simply curious about the history of their home. After all, detailed information is often available on most products we buy, so why should houses be an exception?
Is my house too old?
Sometimes, homebuyers are reluctant to purchase a property which they consider ‘too old’.
But is this a valid concern?
Energy efficiency
In some instances, an old property might be less energy efficient.
This can have an impact on the owner’s monthly/yearly bills. If you are struggling to raise enough funds to buy the house in the first place, this may be a deal breaker.
Dated appliances and heating
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.
Construction methods or materials
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 difficult to secure a mortgage on it without 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 an 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 money getting the house repaired to ‘on the market’ in the traditional way.
Fortunately, alternative house-selling options exist. The fastest and most guaranteed is to sell your house with a cash house buyer like We Buy Any Home.
