Andy Coley, 48, is a leadership development trainer and the author of the insightful book ‘Leadership is a Skill’. Having lived in three Victorian terrace houses over the years, he shares his candid advice for potential buyers, cautioning them against the allure created by social media.
It astonishes me that many people view Victorian terrace houses as the pinnacle of aspirational living. These homes frequently dominate social media feeds, where influencers showcase extravagant renovation projects that make them look dreamy and desirable. However, based on my personal experiences living in several Victorian terraces, I would never consider purchasing one again.
Eight years ago, I moved into a Victorian terrace in southeast London with my wife and our three children. Before that, I owned a similar property in Portsmouth. Much like my current home, it was a maintenance nightmare. Simple tasks like installing large bookshelves or hanging anything substantial on the walls were nearly impossible. The walls were so fragile that they resembled plasterboard more than sturdy brick. I once attempted to drill a hole into one of those walls, only to have it crumble into a cloud of dust. That particular wall ended up being filled with 90 percent Polyfilla!
Now, in my rented terrace, our neighbors recently undertook a kitchen renovation. They faced significant challenges as they had to strip down to the bare bricks due to the fragility of everything within the walls. The mortar was ancient, and the plaster had weakened over the years, making any renovations a daunting task. This fragility is a common issue with Victorian terraces; the beautiful finishes we see online often require extensive work to achieve because most walls aren’t flat. Many properties have extensions added later, inflating their prices, while bathrooms were often added without proper planning, consuming valuable upstairs space. Traditionally, these houses had outdoor toilets, and retrofitting them for modern bathrooms usually leads to compromising bedroom sizes.
Another major drawback is the close proximity to neighbors. While not every experience is negative—some neighbors have loft conversions that minimize noise—my family and I had a particularly challenging experience five years ago with a neighbor who would leave their child in the bedroom all night, ignoring the cries. As advocates of gentle parenting, my wife, who is a hypno-birthing teacher, and I found ourselves at odds with their approach. Our children were born just a few months apart, and our daughter often slept with us. The sound of their baby crying next door was unbearable, often shouting, “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!” It was so loud that we could hear it clearly throughout the night. Unfortunately, the parents, sleeping in their loft conversion, were insulated from the noise, while we were directly adjacent. The repeated arguments eventually led to a toxic relationship with our neighbors, and six months later, we decided to move out.
Beyond the neighborly disputes, the energy efficiency of Victorian terraces leaves much to be desired. Heating these homes can be a real challenge. Many times, there’s minimal insulation in the loft, and some properties lack double glazing altogether. Our current landlord recently replaced the double glazing, which was cracked and allowing moisture and mold to seep in. We even keep towels on the windows to absorb condensation, and at night, we rely on oil heaters in the children’s rooms to keep them warm. Electric blankets on their beds help ensure they stay cozy enough to remain in their own beds without creeping into ours. The reality is, these houses simply do not retain heat well.
Despite feeling trapped in a Victorian terrace due to the size constraints in our area—these homes are often the only option for families—I wouldn’t choose this lifestyle if given a say. I look around my current place and see an array of costly repairs looming ahead. Cracks are appearing along the edges of walls, and the chimney is showing signs of wear in several spots. Most of the necessary repairs would require a significant financial investment. Ideally, I dream of a detached house, but that would likely mean relocating outside the city.
At this point, I wouldn’t even consider spending the exorbitant sum it takes to own a terrace in London. The market value hovers around £700k to £800k for a home that harbors dust in the walls and demands extensive work. Quite frankly, it’s just not for me.
