Derelict buildings are property gold mines in disguise.
Most people see decay and danger. Smart investors see opportunity and profit potential.
I’ve proven this many times over.
From abandoned mills to crumbling cottages, derelict properties attract specific buyer types. The challenge isn’t finding buyers – it’s presenting your building correctly.
Here’s what shocked me most: Derelict often sells faster than liveable.
Why? No emotional attachment. Pure business decisions only.
This guide reveals my derelict property sales system. You’ll discover which structural issues buyers ignore and which stop deals cold.
The game-changer? How to price decay strategically.
Your crumbling walls might be worth more than pristine properties. Let me show you the conversion math that proves it.
Understanding Derelict Building Sales in the UK
Derelict buildings are empty houses that have been significantly damaged over time.
I’ve helped sellers with houses left empty for years that became unsafe and broken. Common causes include family fights over who owns them, money problems, or owners moving away. These buildings often have broken roofs, missing windows, and unsafe walls.
Planning rules affect what buyers can do with old, broken buildings. Some areas want people to fix them, while others prefer knocking them down.
Local councils can make owners fix or knock down unsafe buildings. They can charge you for work if you don’t do it. Old historic buildings often have special rules that stop big changes.
Getting insurance for broken buildings is very hard, or costs too much. You’re still in trouble if someone gets hurt on your land.
Most buyers are builders and fix-up experts. Cash buyers are the main market because banks won’t lend money for broken houses.
Old important buildings need special permission for most changes. Conservation areas have extra rules about what materials you can use. These rules can stop some building work completely.
Think about specialists who buy broken houses that can’t be lived in if normal estate agents can’t find buyers. Get building surveys to know repair costs before setting your price.
Common Issues with Derelict Building Sales
Derelict buildings have big problems. These old buildings are often dangerous. Knowing about these problems helps you avoid trouble.
Dangerous Building Problems
Old buildings can fall down.
Walls crack and lean over. Roofs fall in without warning. Floors break when you walk on them.
Selling houses with structural issues needs expert help. Get building checks before anyone goes inside.
Put barriers around dangerous parts.
Planning Permission
Most old buildings need permission for changes.
You need permission to fix or knock down buildings. Some areas have strict rules. Old historic buildings have extra rules.
Planning costs £206-£462. It takes 8-16 weeks to get answers.
Check the rules before you buy.
Historic Building Rules
Very old buildings need special permission.
You need consent for any work on listed buildings. You can’t knock down listed buildings. Even small changes inside need permission.
Breaking these rules can put you in jail. Applications are free but take months.
Get expert help before touching listed buildings.
Dangerous Materials
Old buildings often have bad stuff inside.
Asbestos was used until the 1980s. Lead paint can make children sick. Chemical spills affect soil and water.
Testing costs £500-£2,000. Cleaning up costs much more.
Never touch suspected dangerous materials yourself.
No Water or Electric
Old buildings have no working services.
Water, gas, and electricity get turned off. Drains get blocked. Cables get stolen.
Getting services back costs £2,000-£10,000. Old wires usually need to be replaced completely.
Plan extra money for connecting services.
Security Problems
Empty buildings attract bad people.
Broken fences let people in. Missing doors invite squatters. Thieves steal copper pipes and cables.
Security fencing costs £20-£50 per metre. Cameras help, but need power.
Insurance companies tend to avoid unsecured buildings.
Ownership Problems
Old buildings often have unclear owners.
Previous owners might have died. Companies may have closed down. Families fight over who owns what.
Check the HM Land Registry records. Legal checks cost £200-£500.
Council Problems
Councils can make you fix dangerous buildings.
They send notices demanding safety work. They can buy buildings by force. They make you do emergency repairs.
Ignoring council letters leads to court. Councils can do work and charge you.
Answer council letters quickly.
Selling Options for Derelict Buildings
Here are the 3 primary approaches to sell your derelict building…
Estate Agents
The conventional route creates significant challenges for derelict buildings:
- Average sale period: 12-18 months (considerably extended – buyers are wary of derelict structures)
- 2 out of 3 deals collapse (the majority fail when purchasers assess the building’s condition)
- You require agents familiar with derelict properties and development potential
- You’ll encounter these costs:
- Agent fees (up to 3%)
- Legal expenses (up to £4,000)
- Structural surveys and engineering reports (£500-£1,500)
- Site security and safety measures (£2,000-£15,000)
- Planning assessments if needed (£1,000-£5,000)
- Very limited buyers are interested in derelict buildings
Property Buyers Today
When your derelict building’s condition makes selling challenging:
- We can complete within just 7 days
- No financing difficulties or restoration requirements
- What you gain:
- No agent commissions
- We handle legal costs
- No property inspections – we buy derelict buildings in their existing state
- No restoration expenses – we manage all redevelopment work ourselves
- We understand derelict properties and development processes
- Completion date you can trust
- Trade-off: Obtain up to 85% of property value (often superior after restoration costs and lengthy delays)
Professional cash house buyers like Property Buyers Today understand derelict building complexities and handle all procedures.
Property Auction
Auction selling brings buyers who work with derelict buildings:
- Timeline: 3-4 months
- Sale finalizes instantly when hammer falls
- Important points:
- Property sold as-is – bidders understand all structural issues
- Draws developers and construction specialists
- Ideal for redevelopment projects – attracts appropriate purchasers
- Must declare completely about the derelict status in the sale documentation
- Wait 4-8 weeks until the auction date
- Wait 28 days to finalize the transaction
- Registration costs (up to £1,000)
- Auctioneer charges (up to 6%)
- Full derelict building details must be shared with all bidders
Check our guide on selling a house at auction to learn how this process works for derelict buildings.
Legal and Planning Considerations
Planning permission decides if you can fix up or knock down derelict buildings.
I’ve helped sellers who found out their broken house couldn’t be changed because of local rules. Building regulations set safety standards for any repair work. You need to follow these rules even for basic fixes.
Listed buildings need special permission for almost any changes. Environmental checks look for dangerous things like asbestos or contaminated soil.
You still have health and safety duties even for empty, broken buildings. Local councils can force you to make buildings safe or knock them down. They can do the work and charge you if you don’t act.
Professional surveys show what’s wrong with the building structure. Your solicitor must check that you really own the building properly.
Local authority searches reveal planning history and any council notices about the building. Some derelict buildings have enforcement actions already started against them.
Title checks prove ownership and find any legal problems. Missing paperwork can stop sales completely.
Get planning advice before marketing your derelict building. Buyers need to know what they can legally do with the property. Structural surveys help set realistic prices based on repair costs.
Start legal checks early, as derelict building sales take much longer than normal houses.
Valuation Strategies for Derelict Properties
Derelict buildings need special pricing. You can’t use normal house prices for broken buildings. Understanding value helps you sell faster and get fair prices.
Land Value Assessment
The land is usually worth more than the building.
Check what empty plots sell for nearby. Look at what new houses sell for. Good locations keep value even with broken buildings.
Big plots near town centres are worth more. Transport links and shops add value too.
Land prices don’t change as much as building costs.
Demolition Costs
Buyers need to pay to knock down old buildings.
Demolition costs £8,000-£20,000 for most houses. Dangerous materials like asbestos cost £5,000-£15,000 extra. Clearing the site costs more money.
Take these costs off your asking price. Buyers always think about demolition costs.
Get quotes from demolition companies first.
Renovation Versus New Build
Sometimes fixing is cheaper than knocking down.
Compare renovation costs with building new. Fixing old buildings often costs more than expected. New builds have fewer surprises.
Renovation might cost £50,000-£150,000. New builds cost £80,000-£200,000. Planning permission affects both options.
Choose the cheapest option for maximum profit.
Planning Permission Value
Planning permission adds lots of value.
Permission to build new houses increases value by 30-50%. Planning for flats adds even more value. Some areas don’t allow new buildings.
Planning applications cost £462 for house extensions. They take 3-6 months to get answers.
Get planning permission before selling if possible.
Professional Valuations
Expert surveyors understand derelict building values.
RICS surveyors charge £500-£1,000 for detailed reports. They know about building costs and planning rules. Banks need professional valuations.
Choose surveyors who know about development projects. Their reports help explain prices to buyers.
Comparing Similar Properties
Look at other development sites nearby.
Find similar plots that sold recently. Check what buyers paid for other derelict buildings. Compare your site with others.
Find out how much you can sell your house for using online tools first. Then adjust for your building’s condition.
Setting Realistic Prices
Price your property based on facts, not hopes.
Start prices 40-60% below good condition houses. Expect buyers to offer even less. Cash buyers want bigger discounts.
Factor in all repair and demolition costs. Add extra money for unexpected problems.
The price is low to get lots of interest from buyers.
Final Pricing Strategy
Consider everything when setting your price.
Add up land value and development potential. Take away all demolition and clearance costs. Compare with recent sales of similar sites.
Remember that derelict buildings take longer to sell. Hold back some money for marketing costs.
Quick sales often matter more than top prices.
Why Choose Property Buyers Today for Derelict Building Sales
If you want to sell your derelict building fast, we might be perfect for you.
I’ll be honest with you. We will offer less money than an estate agent would tell you to ask for. But we will always give you our best price and make everything easy for you.
We have bought derelict buildings in just 10 days from when we made our offer. This is why many property owners pick us to work with…
Sell your house fast with Property Buyers Today. Skip the hard parts of selling buildings that are falling down.
Speed
Most house sales take months, but we can buy your property in as little as 7 days.
This quick process is perfect if you need to move soon or want to avoid being stuck in a long chain of buyers and sellers. We have the cash on hand so don’t need to wait for mortgages or a chain to collapse.
Guaranteed Sale
Did you know 1 in 3 sales fall through on the open market?
We know how frustrating it is to get 6 months into a process and have a buyer pull out.
When we give you the final price for your house, that’s the amount you’ll get. Guaranteed!
No Costs
You won’t face any costs with us.
We handle all the expenses involved in buying your property, including legal fees and surveys. You get cash in your bank when the sale is complete, and there are no surprise estate agent commissions to worry about.
No Stress Or Hassle
Our team supports you through the whole selling process.
We keep you updated about what’s happening and answer any questions quickly. You’ll always understand what’s going on with your sale and what happens next.
Free Property Valuation
Our property experts will value your house at no cost to you.
They look carefully at your property and check local market prices to give you an accurate figure. This professional service comes with no obligations.
No Viewings Required
Forget about cleaning and tidying for viewings.
We don’t need multiple visits or open houses to make our offer. This means no strangers walking through your home, and no disruption to your daily life.
All Properties Welcome
Whether your house needs work or is in perfect condition, we’ll buy it.
We have experience with all types of properties and conditions. This means you can sell your house to us no matter what state it’s in.
Professional Legal Service
Our expert team manages all the legal requirements for you.
We work with experienced property lawyers who make sure everything runs smoothly, and put your property at the top of their list. This gives you peace of mind that your sale is being handled properly from start to finish.
