Later today I was in Clifton looking at a one-bedroom flat where five people live. It was, nevertheless in a very pleasant early Victorian rank of terraced houses which were converted a number of years ago. It is run by the in-house Management Company, and it shows. Although no doubt a Listed Building, the roof is covered with concrete interlocking tiles which go a bit against the grain but nevertheless they were in good condition. However, the front and rear parapet gutters and the centre valley gutter are each lined with lead that is not in the best of health. It been patched up in the past and poorly patched up at that, so scaffolding will need to be erected in order that these areas can be safely repaired, and repaired they need to be. While scaffolding is on the rear elevation it would of course makes sense to consider amalgamating much of the rainwater and sanitary ware pipework to one or two piopes, a relatively easy job. It will be harder or at least more costly to hack off and knew the render to this elevation but there is a very good argument to consider doing so if scaffolding erected against it. The flat itself, as one could almost guess, is in need of modernisation, a new kitchen certainly a new bathroom definitely, redecoration and quite probably restoration of the communal areas all of which are a bit scruffy.Oh! and a new door bell! Nevertheless the flat is in a convenient location where parking is not too difficult, easier than in many roads in the area. Two into one will certainly be a better fit…   more »

Well the last property I saw for my Client was a Basement Flat in a Listed Building. For various reasons they decided not to proceed and instead have found a delightful two-bedroom 1930/40's bungalow that has just come onto the market within half a mile of the previous flat. It does need modernisation; it does need a new kitchen and no doubt a new bathroom but, structurally it was in good condition. The windows have been replaced, the kitchen actually has also been replaced but it is all a bit bland. The dwelling is in need of redecoration and improvement of insulation. It stands in a slightly elevated position having extensive views over the city and as a bonus, if the planners are cooperative, then there is ample scope within the roof void to extend and make this a three or four-bedroom property. The dwelling has a garage with a flat roof that is used as an alfresco dining area, together with a pleasant garden with its own summerhouse and garden shed to wile away the time…   more »