Browse Forums General Discussion Re: How do you know how old your house is? 2Jun 10, 2009 10:29 pm Building a Wisdom Homes Impression 33 MkII http://lilypadintheponds.blogspot.com/ We have the keys! Tiling in progress... Re: How do you know how old your house is? 3Jun 10, 2009 10:40 pm 2 of my places had occupancy certificates included in the paperwork that the conveyancing solicitors handed to me. The paperwork also included lots of drawings (all dated) of the local subdivision plans, which would have narrowed down to within a few years had the occupancy certificates not been there. I'm guessing there wouldn't have been those sort of papers around 100 years ago! In the one place that I didn't get dated papers, but I found date markings in the back of the meter box from when it was installed & commissioned - and although it may be something that could be upgraded over time, the date was from 40 years prior, and it was pretty much correct for the era of the house, and the other neighbouring houses. Maybe some of the original features of your place may have evidence of manufacturing dates? Re: How do you know how old your house is? 4Jun 10, 2009 10:57 pm I was going to give a simple answer and say most houses actually have it in the metre box, and theres something to do with the serial number of the metre (I think). BUT, something that old, the titles office would be my first option in finding out the age and history. ICK So glad the building is over, never again. Loooove our house, but still not quite sure it was worth all of the stress they put us through! Re: How do you know how old your house is? 5Jun 11, 2009 9:28 am I too have a 100yr + old ish house ... and I've gone back through the historical titles but they don't really link up to the age of the house (first title - the crown grant - is much older than the house - 1864). We have a local historical society that I keep meaning to see if they have records. I recently found a piece of concrete that had 1914 - but that must be either the lean-to or the meat shed, as the house is definitely older. From the titles I'm guessing mine was built somewhere between 1884 and 1895 ... but I could be very wrong! The old titles are such beautiful documents too! Re: How do you know how old your house is? 6Jun 11, 2009 9:35 am Lets think logically here. The reale state agent knew that is was built in 1909. I wonder how he new that. My guess is that he read it in the paper work somewhere in the contract of sale. As the agents I know dont go out of there way to much to investigate stuff. Perhaps a long shot but if you go up into the roof you may be able to see date stamps on either timber or the edge of the plaster of some thing like that. In my current house that I am building dates of manufacture are all over the place when i buy material. Though most of the time they are covered up. Another though is too look at the title. This may only give you a date when the land was released. Re: How do you know how old your house is? 7Jun 11, 2009 6:56 pm hi - I don't know where you live, but I assume each state has similar records available. In Sydney, most local council libraries will hold the old council rate books - these will probably be microfilmed, although some still have the original books available. You should probably visit the local history section of your local library, The council rate books will show each street and whether there is an unimproved block of land or a house. You start your search a years or so before you think the house was built and keep going until a house appears. The info will usually list the owners name and very often the original name of the house. In the early books ,the houses are rarely numbered, this is where consulting the land title can be helpful as that will give you the owners name so you can match it with the entry in the rate books. In Sydney, we also have the old Sands Directories (the pre-runner to the phone book) I know there is something similar for Melbourne, but the name escapes me right now. Same idea, you search year by year until the owner or the house pops up, and bingo, you have worked out when the house was constructed. This can be very time consuming work, but it is totally addictive and rewarding- I have researched several whole streets over the years. The Royal Australian Historical Society also have a booklet available for purchase (still, I think) titled How Old is My House? If you don't have time to do this yourself, you may find the Local History section of the library may be willing to do some basic research for you free of charge. Have fun! Built a Clarendon 'Balmain' 2008 Re: How do you know how old your house is? 11Jun 14, 2009 10:01 pm devinyl When we bought our house 16 years ago, the real estate agent said it was built in 1909. We want to celebrate 100 years!!! but how do we actually confirm the date it was built? Wow! a centennial celebration, congratulations! I guess you got the original title of the property? You may also verify it with your local council. Old Home Restoration / Renovation Hi, just discovered all these junks left behind under the floor. Could any of these be asbestos? Best to leave as it is or clean up? Thank you for your thoughts 0 14820 Is the crack going through the bricks? as it looks like it’s a render shrinkage crack. 2 5622 I would still ask the question, see if you can get your builder to do it 3 8118 |