Our guide to knowing: what is a listed building?

If you’ve ever considered buying one of Britain's historic, and important, buildings, the 'why' is quite understandable. There can be a great deal of pride attached to owning a building like this as it sees you taking on a vital role in protecting the country's history.

When it comes to these older, historic properties, you may have wondered about the question "What is a listed building?". Are all older buildings included, or are there certain conditions that need to be met? In this article, that's just what we're going to explore. We're going to look at what is a listed building, how to care for one as well as consider listed building insurance.

What is a listed building?

We’ll answer the question, “What is a listed building?” before we move on and consider care and listed building insurance. While people may have an idea of what one is, not everyone is clear. A listed building is a property that has been included on the National Heritage List. Their inclusion is because they have been deemed as being of special or architectural interest.

If your property is classed as a listed building, then it means that you have certain responsibilities when it comes to its care and upkeep. You must ensure that you preserve the special aspects that led to it being listed in the first place. This need to preserve may relate to the inside of the property as well as the outside, and even the surrounding area.

What are the different grades of listed buildings?

When looking at, “What is a listed building?”, it’s important to know that there are different grades applied. Once it has been established that a building deserves listed status, it is then allocated one of the following grades:

Grade 1

If a building is classified as grade 1, this means that it’s deemed to be of exceptional interest. Out of all of the listed buildings in the UK, only 2.5% of these are grade 1.

Grade II*

A grade II* listed building is one that has been deemed to be of particular importance. It is less important than grade I but more important than grade II. Around 5.5% of listed buildings fall into this category.

Grade II

Grade II is easily the most common grade that's assigned to listed buildings. When it comes to buying a home, this is the grade that you're most likely to come across and it's the one where you'll need to explore specialist listed building insurance. Buildings in this category are classed as being of special interest and makeup 92% of all those that are listed.

Estimates from Historic England suggest that there are over 500,000 listed buildings.

Who oversees listed buildings?

Now that we have more of an understanding of the question, “What is a listed building?”, you may be wondering how a building becomes listed in the first place. Generally speaking, Historic England identifies buildings and will put proposals to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

As things stand right now, all buildings that were constructed before 1700 have been listed. This assumes that they are still standing in a condition that resembles their original state. When it comes to buildings that were built between 1701 and 1840, the majority of these have been listed but the process is much more selective. Buildings from 141 to 1914 are subjected to a much more rigorous assessment.

Can I carry out works on my home if it’s a listed building?

You own your own home, and you want to make changes. Is this something that you can do when your home is listed? The answer is yes, you can. However, before you start to do anything you need to get permission from your local Conservation Officer. A Conservation Officer is someone within your local council and they will offer advice about the alterations that you’re able to make. These will not be allowed if they impact on the overall character of the building.

You will be advised on the types of materials that should be used, as well as the most appropriate techniques. While this may all sound a little worrying, the good news is that most Conservation Officers are more than reasonable. They understand that there is a need to keep these buildings fit for purpose. That means that you’re likely to be granted permission to add a new bathroom or kitchen, but an extension may be much harder to get approval for.

If you carry out works without permission, this is a criminal offence. When it comes to buying a listed property, you need to ensure that any works that have been carried out have had the appropriate permission. If not, it’s you as the new owner who is responsible for putting the building back into its pre-works state.

Common problems with listed buildings

Of course, these buildings are old so you would expect occasional issues. The most common of these are:

Damp

Older buildings commonly suffer from damp. You can minimise this by ensuring that the roof is in good condition, floors are in good repair and timber is well ventilated.

Draughts

Old windows and doors will often have gaps that lead to draughts. You’re unlikely to be allowed to add double glazing, but Conservation Officers may well allow you to add secondary glazing.

Listed building insurance

If you own a listed building, you need to ensure that you have the appropriate insurance in place. Specialist listed building insurance takes into account the fact that if there are any problems, you'll need to replace them on a like-for-like basis. This, along with the need to use traditional techniques, can make repairs or rebuilds extremely expensive.

At Highworth Insurance, we understand the insurance needs of listed building owners. By getting in touch with us, we can tailor cover that gives you peace of mind by ensuring that your property is fully protected. Why not get a quote now?