Country homes
Large estate in the country

Large estate in the country

Views of the rolling hills right outside your window, a large garden, land to “’grow your own”, perhaps even a tennis court or swimming pool for good measure, for those ambitious to experience an alternative way of living a beautiful house in the countryside is the quintessential way.

The English countryside is well sought after and owning a piece of it appeals to many homeowners who wish to move permanently or split their time between the hustle and bustle of city and the peace and quiet of the countryside.

Thinking of purchasing a large estate in the country?

Here are the quirks to be aware of:

National Heritage List for England

Many large country homes are laced in history, and this usually means they are included in the National Heritage List for England, being either Grade I or Grade II Listed, because they are of special architectural importance. This means that there could be planning constraints on altering the house, outbuildings or grounds which will need to be considered before any development is undertaken.

Owning country houses carries with it several tax considerations and potential benefits. There are some specific tax reliefs that can apply to larger homes including IHT and SDLT reliefs. Many large houses in the country comprise of not only the main house, but there is almost always ancillary accommodation such as a separate cottage which can be used for private purposes or even rental opportunities bringing in a surplus income.

Space and privacy are one of the main benefits to acquiring a large country house. Subject to public rights of way, they usually have a large garden or a few acres of land which may ring fence the home from neighbours, affording much-desired peace and quiet which other smaller homes may not afford.

If the house does come with a large amount of surrounding land, it is important to know exactly where the boundaries to the property lie so that they can be maintained and preserved. This is not always a straightforward exercise: a prospective purchaser may wish to discuss any areas of ambiguity with the current owners or a surveyor.

Public rights of way can be an issue for those who live in a rural location. Enquiries should always be raised of the seller and the local authority to determine the existence of any public rights of way or any pending applications to create new rights of way. For a purchaser who wants a quiet life in the country, having the locals exercising a right of way along a footpath outside your front door may not be very appealing!

Many large country homes benefit from a private water supply and may also have a duty to provide a water supply to neighbouring properties. In England, the rules on private water supplies are governed by The Private Water Supplies (England) Regulations 2016 which when purchasing a large country home, a purchaser will need to be aware of their obligations and responsibilities.

Swimming pools, tennis courts and additional outbuildings can be a perk of purchasing a large house in the country. Providing any planning requirements have been met (and special attention should be made when purchasing a listed property), such amenities will not only provide enjoyment but in the case of outbuildings, may provide opportunities for development/ conversion for other uses, such as a home office or party barn.

Commercial rates of SDLT may be relevant either because there is genuine commercial use of part of the estate or because the estate comprises 6 or more dwellings.

Beware as the seller may have opted to tax (OTT) for VAT purposes the commercial areas. This means that the price for those parts maybe 20% higher unless you can disapply the seller’s OTT, or you carry on the same commercial activity and so there is a transfer of a going concern (TOGC), or your offer was made inclusive of VAT.

If you are converting commercial premises into residential, a perk may be that it is possible that some of the building works are charged to you at 5% VAT.

As with city, town and village houses, it is important to check if the property falls in an AONB, Special Protection Area, Area of Scientific Interest or Conservation Area.

Download our full report to learn more or contact our team today to help you navigate your own home buying journey.

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