Property spotlight: Church properties

This week, we’re looking at church properties around the country that are currently on the market. With the drop in church-going, many of these buildings have become surplus to requirements. There are a range of former churches, church halls, chapels, vicarages etc – many sadly falling into disrepair – looking for new owners to show them some love and attention.

We’ve chosen ones that are ready to move into and ones that are ripe for renovation. We even have a BOGOF property!

The ‘buy one, get one free’ property is actually a virtually identical pair of former chapels located in Brecon (in the Brecon Beacons National Park) and just off the River Usk. They’re an absolute steal at a mere £100K for the two.

The Baptist chapel in Okehampton in Devon only has one bedroom however the open-plan living area is very spacious. The charming exterior is clad with corrugated zinc and the interior is wood panelled throughout. It’s a really special property!

If money is no object and you love church properties, Naish Priory could be for you.£2.4 million will get you this historical Somerset home. This 14^th century building still retains many of its original features and the expansive gardens are stunning.

£100,000 – Cemetery Chapels, Cradoc Road, Brecon LD3 9LH

They are an early example of 19^th century Gothic cemetery chapels and have lots of features.

• A wonderful pair of Grade II listed chapels
• Enjoining superb views of the Beacons
• Full of character
• Flagstone & tiled patterned flooring
• Unique development opportunity subject to planning & Listed Building Consent
• Easy access to town centre
• Lots of potential
• An ideal home with a difference, holiday let, workspace or a combination of the three
• Potential for parking

£325,000 – The Baptist Chapel, Taw Green, Okehampton EX20 2LU

A wonderfully converted 1903 Baptist chapel set in its own garden with the most beautiful Devon setting.

• Unique character property
• Converted Baptist chapel
• Vast open plan living space
• Large master bedroom
• Wonderful vaulted ceiling
• Idyllic hamlet location
• Cottage style garden surrounding the property
• Various outdoor seating areas
• Detached garage with potential (stp)

£2,400,000 – Naish Priory, East Coker, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 9HQ

• Stair hall, drawing room, morning room, dining room, library, ante room/rear hall, kitchen/breakfast room, scullery, boot room, cloakroom
• First floor: Principal bedroom with bathroom, guest bedroom (former chapel), 4 further bedrooms, family bathroom, cloakroom
• Second floor: Landing, 2 further bedrooms, shower room
• Stables & Coach House: Two garages, loose boxes and tack room, apple and wood store
• Gardens and Grounds:
• Wonderful formal and informal gardens
• About 2.41 acres
• Two cottages available by separate negotiation

The property is Listed Grade I and believed originally to have been a chantry rather than a priory.
…it is a house of immense character, with a sense of English history throughout. The exterior has fan tracery, octagonal chimneys, carved stone gargoyles and corbelled heads. The rare “Beast of Botreaux” corbel by the sealed doorway is significant. There are also flagstone floors, high beamed ceilings, arched stone door surrounds, medieval panelled doors, stone mullion windows with leaded lights and a fine oriel window. The northern door sports a Beauchamp Knot carved motif, and above the Coach House, a stone carving of two roses, surmounted by a large Tudor Rose and weathered crown, can be found.
The property is situated on the northern edge of the picturesque Somerset village of East Coker, near the Somerset/Dorset border, tucked away at the end of a no through country lane with good access to bridleways and footpaths.

Advice on renting: Costs to consider in your monthly budget

As we’re still learning to navigate the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, budgeting appropriately has become vital. And with soaring rents leaving some tenants facing increases of up to 60%, many areas are now considered unaffordable when compared with average wages.

If you’re feeling concerned about managing your finances and being able to pay your rent on time, it’s crucial to adapt your approach to budgeting.

What will my expenses be as a private tenant?

Monthly rent

The largest cost and commitment you’ll need to be prepared for when you rent is the monthly fee for living in the property. Usually paid by standing order or direct debit to your landlord or letting agent, rent must be paid on time each month and in advance.

If you fail to make payments promptly, you risk being taken to court for rent arrears or even evicted, depending on the type of tenancy agreement that you signed.

Deposit

If you’re still looking for a place to rent, you’ll need to have a large sum of money in your account ready to be used as a deposit. This is normally equivalent to five weeks’ rent but could be more or less depending on the property.

Furthermore, even if you’re already living in a rented property, it’s worth keeping a set amount saved and waiting for your next move. When you leave your current property, you may not see your deposit returned instantly – so it’s a good idea to be prepared.

Renter’s insurance

Looking after your belongings is crucial, regardless of where you’re planning on living. Even though your landlord will be responsible for major maintenance and repairs to the house, your tenancy agreement alone may not cover you in the event of theft or fire.

Obtaining comprehensive tenants’ insurance could help to protect you against unforeseen circumstances, so we’d always recommend comparing prices online before you move house.

Utilities

Utilities include bills for water, gas, electricity, Wi-Fi and council tax. The cost of council tax varies according to each local authority, so make sure you check what you can afford before you start viewing properties in a new area.

Combined, these expenses can quickly become expensive, so we’d recommend working out your monthly totals and moving a set amount into a separate bank account as soon as you get paid. If you like to watch TV, you’ll also need to cover the cost of a TV licence in order to access mainstream channels in the UK.

Furniture

If you’re new to the rental market, you may not be aware that not all properties come with high quality furnishings and fittings. Unless you’re moving into a shared house, it’s unlikely that your living space will be equipped with the furniture you need to call the house your home.

When you’re planning your budget, you should factor in the cost of chairs, tables, sofas and soft furnishings for your new space.

Renting in the current economic climate is expensive, but it can be an invaluable steppingstone for those seeking independence or working in a new city. If you have any urgent concerns about your situation as a tenant or need advice on renting, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your local Citizens Advice.

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Property spotlight: Ikaria

The properties that we’re highlighting in today’s spotlight are all located in Ikaria; in Maganitis, Agios Kirikos and Oxea respectively.

Ikaria is a Greek island about 20km south-west of Samos with a population of just under 8½ thousand. The island is named after Ikarus, who famously flew too close to the sun, falling and drowning in the sea… supposedly in this area.

Ikaria was brought to our attention just last week. Jon Snow is currently fronting a television programme entitled How to Live to 100. One of the places he travelled to was Ikaria where, apparently, locals live a whole decade longer than the European average. It’s one of only 5 Blue Zones in the world – regions with higher than usual life expectancy.

The local people that Jon met all seemed to be very healthy and content; they eat well, drink tea, exercise regularly. According to Dan Buettner, one of the Blue Zone researchers, “they have about 20 percent lower rates of cancer, 50 percent lower rates of heart disease and almost no dementia”.

As it’s a relatively small island, it goes without saying that there isn’t much property availability. We’ve found three that we like between €70K and €480K. Much of the real estate on the island is sold by area; that doesn’t refer to it’s location – but rather the square footage or metreage. Therefore, the cheapest of the properties that we’ve selected is 45 m² on one level and the most expensive is 205m² over 3 levels.

€70,000 – Detached house in Maganitis

45 m² on one level
on a plot of 61m².
150m from the sea

€120,000 – Detached house in Agios Kirikos

252m² on 2 levels
on a plot of 192m²
It consists of 2 independent houses. It is a traditional stone building in good condition and needs renovation.
5 bedrooms
2 bathrooms
200m from the square and the port of Agios Kirikos.

€480,000 – Traditional house with a view

A beautiful, authentic house with breathtaking views, in the mountains of Oxea.
On an amphitheatrical plot of 4,224m².
3 bedrooms
205m² on 3 levels

How to get into property investment: 3 tips for buy to let beginners

With inflation at an all-time high, it’s never been a better time to invest your money to avoid it depreciating in value. Investing in property is a great way to ensure that your money is working for you and buying to let is always a fail-safe option.

For anyone looking to get into the buy to let property market, there are plenty of ways to do it and lots of benefits to enjoy along the way. Consider this your guide on how to get into property investment.

What is a buy to let investment?

Put simply, a buy to let allows the buyer to rent out their property instead of live in it themselves. They essentially buy a property and become the landlord of whoever moves in. It’s the only legal way to do it, as UK laws dictate that you can’t rent out your property unless you have this specific kind of mortgage.

However, before you invest your money, you need to select the right kind of buy to let mortgage. With so many available, choose carefully, consider your options and seek a professional advisor if you’re feeling unsure.

How to get into the property market

With lots of homes available to buy, there are plenty of opportunities to secure an investment and rent it out. In fact, a recent survey conducted in the UK showed that the UK needs 230,000 new rentals per year to handle the growing number of renters. Enlist the services of professionals such as Canada Water Estate Agents to aid you in your search for suitable properties.

The greatest advantage of buying to let is, of course, the regular income that it provides you. Not only that, but your tenants’ rent should also cover the cost of any renovations or repairs that need to be done.

You may also want to consider the option of renting a House of Multiple Occupancy. This way, you can receive a sum of up to three times higher than if you were to rent the whole property on one agreement. Make sure to check all the rules and regulations around an HMO as different councils have different rules, and you’ll need to obtain a licence to do it.

What to look out for along the way

There are plenty of things to consider when investing in a buy to let. First, calculate what your capital growth is going to be, including what you need to do to add value to the property should you wish to sell it later on down the line.

When looking for a potential property, location and size is key. Depending on what your money can buy, think about the kind of renter you’d prefer. Would you favour a family over students? Maybe you’d like to appeal to young professionals or people who just need something handy in the city.