Is My House Listed?

A listed building is an individual property protected for its architectural or historic importance. A conservation area is a whole zone, often a street or neighbourhood, where the character is protected. Listed status is stricter and governs changes to the building itself. Conservation status mainly restricts external works and demolitions.

Grade I: exceptional interest, rare (around 2.5% of listed buildings). Grade II*: particularly important, more than special interest. Grade II: nationally important and of special interest. Most domestic listed buildings are Grade II. All three grades require Listed Building Consent for most changes.

Yes, but most works require Listed Building Consent from your local authority, separate from planning permission. This includes replacing windows, changing internal layouts or removing original features. Unauthorised works are a criminal offence. Always check before you start. I've worked on Grade II listed extensions in several London boroughs, the key is an early pre-application meeting with the conservation officer.

The tool checks a 100m radius around your postcode centroid. That's intentional: if a listed building is next door, party wall and sightline rules can still affect what you can build. The closer the listed building, the more likely the council will ask for additional consultation.

Age and rarity are the biggest factors. Almost everything built before 1700 in anything like original condition is listed, and most buildings from 1700 to 1850. After that the bar rises: a house needs special architectural or historic interest, an association with a significant person or event, or group value, where a whole square or terrace is listed together. Listing decisions sit with Historic England, and owners are not always told, which is exactly why it is worth checking before you plan any work.

Without Listed Building Consent you cannot replace windows or doors, remove internal walls, chimney breasts or original features like cornices and fireplaces, re-render or paint external brickwork, or extend. Like-for-like repairs in matching materials are generally fine, and normal internal redecoration usually is too. The trap is that consent applies inside and out, and unauthorised works are a criminal offence that passes to the next owner. On the Grade II jobs we have done across South London, an early conversation with the council's conservation officer has been the difference between a smooth consent and a stand-off.