Property with bats: to buy or not to buy?

Tuesday, 7 December 2010 5:19 PM

The importance of thoroughly inspecting properties before placing an offer is a lesson well learnt by anyone who has bought a home with a colony of bats in residence. But how can such seemingly harmless creatures create problems for house buyers?

Picture the scene – you're standing in a stunning Victorian semi on a perfect tree-shaded avenue. It's the home you've always dreamed of and the asking price is comfortably within budget. You're about to snap off the seller's hand when he mentions a problem with bats in the loft. Is it time to think again?

Anyone buying a property which has a colony of bats in residence should very carefully consider whether they can live alongside these winged creatures. They could severely restrict the development of your dream home, as Suzanne Bowman, solicitor at Adams & Remers, explains.

"Many people assume that they can buy a property and start work straight away but they often don't realise that the presence of bats can halt or significantly slow down works which are planned for a property. Bats are protected by law and it is an offence for anyone to intentionally kill, injure or handle a bat."

Bowman also warns that any breach of these laws could see you being handed a large fine or even a lengthy prison sentence. She therefore advises anyone planning to buy a historic building to consider their future plans for the property, so that they don’t fall foul of the rules.

"By taking the initiative you can avoid a lot of problems. Speak with Natural England and get advice – they can arrange an inspection by a local bat volunteer," adds the expert. "They will be able to advise you on whether bats are roosting at the site and, therefore, if the work you plan to do will be possible."

What to do about bats in your house

If the creatures are found to be roosting in the property, you may well be advised to employ a consultant and apply for a licence for any work that will disturb or injure the animals. Essential roof repairs are probably the best example of this.

"The licence is important because it will permit work which would otherwise be an offence, but it will take time to arrange and may also contain fairly stringent conditions about how, when and by whom the works are carried out. The licence may also specify the types of materials to be used," Bowman warned.

Should bats stop you buying a property?

There is no reason why the presence of bats should be an instant deal breaker. If you're looking to buy a historic property, be on your guard and be sure to ask the current owner or agent about any potential bat-related issues. The most important thing is to be aware of your responsibilities towards bats – or you could find yourself in trouble.

The free National Bat Helpline can be reached on 0845 1300 228. To find out more about bats, visit the Bat Conservation Trust’s website, bats.org.uk.

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