Beware the Victorian Terrace Dream
Andy Coley, 48, a leadership development trainer and author of the insightful new book ‘Leadership is a Skill’, shares his candid experiences with Victorian terrace houses. Having lived in three such homes over the years, he offers a word of caution to potential buyers who might be captivated by the social media hype surrounding these properties.
It genuinely surprises me that many people view Victorian terrace houses as a symbol of aspiration. These homes frequently appear on social media, with videos showcasing extravagant renovation projects. However, having lived in several Victorian terraces, I would advise anyone against buying one again.
Eight years ago, I resided in a terrace house in Portsmouth before moving to our current home in southeast London, which I share with my wife and our three children. Just like my previous home, this one has proven to be a maintenance nightmare. I quickly discovered the limitations when it came to home improvements: I couldn’t install large bookshelves or hang anything heavy on the walls. Attempting to mount a television was equally futile. The walls were so fragile that they resembled plasterboard more than solid brick. I once attempted to drill a hole in one of the walls, and to my dismay, everything crumbled into dust. My efforts ended with a wall that was 90% Polyfilla.
Now, I rent a terrace home with my family of four. Our current neighbours recently undertook a kitchen renovation. They had to strip everything back to the bricks and start anew because the walls were so fragile. It was a challenging process for them, given the age of the mortar and the weakening plaster over the years. Although the walls may look decent at first glance, any attempt to modify them reveals significant difficulties. The renovations that are often showcased on Instagram must come with a hefty price tag, as most Victorian terrace houses lack the flat walls necessary for a polished finish. Many have extensions added much later, driving up the property prices dramatically. Bathrooms are also typically retrofitted, encroaching on upstairs space; many of these homes originally had outdoor toilets, so the design often leads to the sacrifice of bedroom space when converting for a larger bathroom. This frequently results in having two and a half bedrooms instead of three.
One of the most challenging aspects of living in a Victorian terrace is the proximity to neighbours. While we have had some positive experiences, like living next to professional musicians who fill the air with delightful music, we’ve also encountered significant issues. Five years ago, we had a tumultuous relationship with a neighbour who would leave their child alone in the bedroom all night, ignoring their cries. As advocates of gentle parenting—my wife is a hypno birthing teacher and this philosophy is central to our family—we found ourselves at odds with their approach of letting the child “cry it out.”
Both families had children born just a few months apart, and while we co-slept with our daughter, the incessant cries from their baby echoed through our walls. It was so loud at times that we felt we could hear it even more clearly than the parents could. This led to a series of arguments with our neighbours, creating a toxic atmosphere that ultimately forced us to move out six months later.
Beyond neighbourly disputes, it’s essential to note that Victorian terraces are notoriously energy inefficient. Heating these homes is a constant challenge. Many lack adequate loft insulation, and some of the houses we have lived in didn’t even have double glazing. Our current landlord recently replaced our cracked double glazing, which had allowed mould and moisture to seep in. We still have towels hung in the windows to manage condensation, and we rely on oil heaters in the children’s rooms to keep them warm at night. Electric blankets have become a staple for their beds, ensuring they stay cozy enough not to crawl into ours. The reality is that these houses struggle to retain heat.
Unfortunately, we find ourselves in a position where we must live in a Victorian terrace, as they are among the few homes in our area spacious enough for families. However, if given a choice, I would opt for something else entirely. Looking around our current place, I see numerous costly repairs looming ahead. Cracks have started to appear along the edges of one wall, and the chimney is showing signs of distress in certain areas. Repairing these issues would require a substantial financial investment.
The ideal scenario for me would involve a detached house, but that would necessitate leaving the city. At this moment, I cannot fathom spending the exorbitant amount it would take to purchase a terrace in London—prices hover around £700,000 to £800,000 for a house riddled with dust in the walls and in dire need of extensive renovations. Quite frankly, it’s not a venture I am willing to undertake.
