I really like this house

[ChewedBlanket]

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/170639135#/?channel=RES_BUY (nb obv central London prices).

Haven't been to see it yet so may not be any good at all. It's been on the market since Jan and they have already dropped the price so keen to sell. Do you think the third bedroom is too small to be a vacation bedroom for a teen currently at uni (so at home half the year)?

Needs a bit of work- new kitchen and bathroom, maybe rewire, skim, redecorate etc. Hopefully not new windows.

To the side/back is a gated private housing development- not sure whether this is good or bad. It's not beautiful to look at but you can't see it that much as far as I can tell.

I think that bedroom is fine. I can see the appeal of the house, although London prices never fail to shock me. My main concern would be how much sun that back garden is going to get.

Really brilliant location wise and I think the room proportions are absolutely fine. Much like the PP said though the garden would bother me-north facing and high walls-it’s going to feel pretty dank for much of the year

It’s a nice house and the third bedroom is a reasonable double so can’t see why it wouldn’t be fine as a part-time bedroom.

I like N1 but the compromise is almost always a tiny garden, hence I’ve never considered it. If you aren’t looking for a big garden then not an issue though would agree with previous posters that it could be quite overshadowed given high walls. The moss, lichen and general damp look everything has suggests it might be a bit damp and shady.

No issue with the third bedroom, and great location. The tiny, shadowed outdoor space would be a problem for me, but if not for you, then go for it.

Do you know the area? That is very close to Upper Street - which suits some people but not everyone likes living literally a few steps from dozens of bars abd restaurants.

I've been inside a few of those houses in Islington and, imo, the rooms are narrow and feel small. Also a lot of stairs - it can be a shock if you're used to lateral living!

Wonder why the blinds are down in the bedroom with the bunk beds? What’s outside they don’t want you to see?

What makes you think it needs rewiring? I also don't think you would need to replace the kitchen or bathroom right away (I don't personally like those kitchen tiles but easily liveable to save on the budget). Third bedroom definitely fine for uni student to come home to.I agree with the PP about the potential lack of sun in the garden as it's small, overlooked and north -ish facing. I would check that out a bit more. But if it's within budget I would definitely go and see it. Great location if you're looking for close -in North London.

Thanks, everyone. I know the area well. Small and low maintenance garden is a bonus although I agree it might be a bit dark.

I don't know about rewiring- just trying to think of what I might need to budget for and would rather overbudget than under. Obviously it may need much more work in which case it's probably not for me.

The advert also states that it’s listed - so obviously something to check with the agent if you are planning renovation works. I can’t imagine it’s Grade I, but even Grade II adds a level of cost for work on the windows when they need attention

What’s going on with the building on the left hand side of it?

A lot of black on the wall. Looks very dilapidated.

Have you linked the wrong house. I don't understand why the kitchen or bathroom would need replacing?

Garden needs a bit of a tidy, but that's it really.

It's a lovely house, including the 3rd bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. To me there's nothing obvious that needs doing.

The garden is NE facing and as others have said would be very damp and shady. Looking at the satellite view, the far end gets some sunshine (though probably not year round) so you could clear some of the bushes and create a seating area there. It depends how important the garden is to you ultimately.

I like the mini jungle garden. The tall, thin house doesn't appeal so much though, if you are up up stairs it's 3 floors down to make a cuppa.

It looks as if it was listed in January 2024 and didn't sell.

Only one bathroom .

Great location!

I would be suspicious of the inspection chamber in the kitchen floor for the sewer lines. Ask if they have ever had problems.

I have two DC at uni, they are moving back and forth and storing more stuff than ever in their rooms.

Has another loo.

Normal for a three bed house.

Bedroom is fine for a part-time room.
The windows definitely don't need replacing.

I can't see why the kitchen does either. However - the details state that it is Grade 2 listed which means any work you want to do will need Listed Building Consent. If you aren't experienced with a listed property please do some research on the Listed Property Owners Club and the SPAB. Both have lots of useful documents.

In principle you can not change anything that alters the fabric of the building without permission. floor, walls, windows, pointing. So to use your example of a re-wire (although I am not sure why you think that is required) you need permission to disrupt the plaster to re-do this. Plumbing too if you need more pipe work and any floors need to come up etc. All possible, just takes time, patience, detailed applications and will cost more to do than a non listed home.

It’s weirdly small inside for what looks like a large house on the outside. Personally no way I would want a house with a manhole cover in the kitchen - I presume it’s a shared drain - eta and also seeing it’s listed I imagine could be a nightmare if anything needed doing/access to that. Otoh, great location if you like being in a busy vibrant space - although I’d want to know exactly what it was like on match days.

I live in a zone 2 terrace not too far from Angel (and love it), here are my thoughts:

• This is a super expensive location so you’re really paying a premium - you say you know the area well so presumably okay with that. The house is small though, it might feel cramped when you look around
• Sewer access in the kitchen is far from ideal, you’ll want to chat with people who have lived with these and see what possible issues can arise.
• External bricks at ground level on the front left of the house (as you look at it) are VERY wet. What’s happening there and is there internal damp?
• As others have said, it’ll be a shady, damp garden. We have one of these also north facing and it works okay for us, but it’s not much overlooked and gets a surprising amount of sun in the summer.

-I'd hate 4 floors to climb up and down all day!
-Only 1 bathroom (yes, I can see a cloakroom)
-Listed, could make it tricky to change the windows or change anything without council approvals. Check if its already double glazed
-Why is there a man hole in the kitchen? We recently renovated and a build over agreement is only suitable if the waste is from your own home. IF the pipe underneath is the entire streets sewerage, in our case, it was illegal and we had to pay thousands to have it diverted around the house. I'd be clearly checking what is going on there.

Thanks everyone- this is all really helpful.

I am experienced with listed houses so not too worried about that side of things, and I think almost all the older houses in Angel are listed. Sewer access in the kitchen is a bit of a worry though- might ask the agent if he has any info on that and the previous listing.

How many bathrooms/toilets do people expect in a house for an average sized family? The family bathroom and downstairs cloakroom is enough, surely?

Could the kitchen be an extension and the manhole be because that part of the floor was originally outside? Although that does seem like an odd thing to have been allowed, especially in a listed building.

I would want a bathroom on the same floor as a bedroom.

Not too keen on it - but if you like it, that's up to you @ChewedBlanket