Bringing you articles and features every month from…
Your Questions Answered
Q My parents and I have our eyes on buying an old house that is run-down and unoccupied. We then plan to sympathetically conserve it so that it is eventually habitable again. Could you advise us, please, on where we could obtain a mortgage?
A There are a couple of companies that I know of that offer mortgages for empty buildings in need of some work. The Ecology Building Society, who give mortgages for houses that are derelict, but sound. Telephone 0845 674 5566 or visit www.ecology.co.uk. The Norwich & Peterborough Building Society offers Brown mortgages for buildings in need of repair. Telephone 0845 300 2511 or visit www.npbs.co.uk. Most other institutions will only provide mortgages for buildings that are habitable but may be able to arrange a loan for an empty property.
Q Our 17th-century cottage in the West Country has pine floorboards in one bedroom but modern chipboard elsewhere. Would I be right in thinking that the pine floor dates from Victorian times? If so, should I replace it with oak or elm at the same time as I replace the modern floors? Is using recycled timber a good idea?
A Your cottage could well have had elm floorboards originally but softwood was sometimes used in the 17th century for its novelty value (and the absence of redundant nail holes in the joists beneath could indicate your pine boards are original). If I were you, I’d retain the pine but replace the chipboard. Whether you use oak or elm is entirely your personal preference.
Should you opt for recycled timber, be sure to purchase it from a dealer who supports the Salvo code so can vouch that the material comes from a reputable source. Reclaimed elm or oak boards are becoming increasingly scarce and for this reason are considerably more expensive than new ones…
Q My parents and I have our eyes on buying an old house that is run-down and unoccupied. We then plan to sympathetically conserve it so that it is eventually habitable again. Could you advise us, please, on where we could obtain a mortgage?
A There are a couple of companies that I know of that offer mortgages for empty buildings in need of some work. The Ecology Building Society, who give mortgages for houses that are derelict, but sound. Telephone 0845 674 5566 or visit www.ecology.co.uk. The Norwich & Peterborough Building Society offers Brown mortgages for buildings in need of repair. Telephone 0845 300 2511 or visit www.npbs.co.uk. Most other institutions will only provide mortgages for buildings that are habitable but may be able to arrange a loan for an empty property.
Q Our 17th-century cottage in the West Country has pine floorboards in one bedroom but modern chipboard elsewhere. Would I be right in thinking that the pine floor dates from Victorian times? If so, should I replace it with oak or elm at the same time as I replace the modern floors? Is using recycled timber a good idea?
A Your cottage could well have had elm floorboards originally but softwood was sometimes used in the 17th century for its novelty value (and the absence of redundant nail holes in the joists beneath could indicate your pine boards are original). If I were you, I’d retain the pine but replace the chipboard. Whether you use oak or elm is entirely your personal preference.
Should you opt for recycled timber, be sure to purchase it from a dealer who supports the Salvo code so can vouch that the material comes from a reputable source. Reclaimed elm or oak boards are becoming increasingly scarce and for this reason are considerably more expensive than new ones…
To read more of this feature either see our digital edition or subscribe today
Just click on the previews to see the full pictures
© CPL Media 2010