Which homes should be left to rot?

Moving house is a messy business.

It can be expensive, it can be time-consuming and, when it does happen, there are always complaints.

The first step is to decide which houses are worth leaving to rot, and which should be kept to help the community, says Julie McPherson, a senior lecturer at the School of Housing.

There are some houses that are the most important, and they are very expensive to leave to rot because they provide the community with social cohesion, she says.

“If we look at a lot of houses that would be good, like a terrace or two, but if you look at houses that you know have been in there for many years, it is a real risk to those people,” Ms McPhersons says.

The second step is choosing the house that you want to move.

“It is a balancing act,” Ms Macpherson says.

“The first is how you can keep the property in good shape and also have a sense of belonging, and a sense that you are contributing to the community in some way.”

The third step is determining how long the house will last.

“I am sure a lot are very good properties, but we can also be really generous with our houses if we can keep them going for 20 or 30 years,” she says