I was surprised to see, by an internet search, that this family actually made a go of this place and now run a B&B. After seeing their attitudes in this episode, I was sure the house was fated to fall down around their ears. Glad to see they finally took their situation seriously!
I was shocked to see the improvements on their current website. After watching this video, I thought this family was totally unable to do it, as they seemed so - depleted of energy. But clearly they (or some people, anyways!) have made a go! Rooms look beautifully, if simply, restored. I wish them all the luck going forward!
So glad to hear it. I couldn't have been in Ruth's shoes even if I had her knowledge, because I wouldn't have gotten my mouth to close and then my teeth to unclench at the almost complete uselessness of the patriarch. Train as an architect, then sit around in a ruin for 30 years puttering with hobbies and tolerating the decay... So, yeah, I am very glad to hear that things finally worked out after all. Looks like it's still in the family.
Putting a coat of paint on a house that is falling down is a perfect metaphor for the way they have approached the problem. This guy is an Architect. As an Arcihitect myself that has renovated many old homes, I can say that he should have complete measured drawings of the house with a phased plan for restoration, cost estimates for the work, a plan for business opportunities that can create a revenue stream, and a master plan of the entire property and what needs to be done that will allow a business plan to work. He is puttering around on his hobbies to avoid the elephant in the room...fixing the house.
@@davidlynch9049I think it’s extremely harsh to refer to the owner as incompetent and lazy. I believe it was more a case of the poor man being totally overwhelmed. I know I certainly would be. He must have been paralyzed with fear he would be the first person in 900 years to lose the family home. You could see in his face and hear in his voice how afraid he was of losing his family estate. Have a heart.
An intact roof maintained is most important and the n the windows. The huge amount money the government charges for inheriting grand although declining properties is a huge burden that diverts funds to maintain.
I love it when Chris is whining about not getting to live in the apartment but saying Sophie spent thousands he spent nothing. And it’s not wasted if he marries her they’ll inherit the entire house someday. Not looking at the big picture and Sophie as her mother still not complaining❤
I think one of the biggest downfalls of these great houses and the burdens they pass down is the ridiculous death taxes. How can something continually be taxed until there is nothing left to give. It makes zero sense.
I would think the royal family would be more magnanimous about maintaining these historical homes throughout Great Britain. --- Besides their own, that is.
I agree- the tax situation is ridiculous. If they want to keep these magnificent houses, they need new tax laws in these instances. I cannot imagine worrying your life away over that - horrible!
I thought the Chris guy was the son and heir by the way he spoke about things, but he’s just a bloody boyfriend. He certainly wore some serious entitlement for a house that wasn’t even his!! I was very surprised to see that the house seems to be thriving years later with the same family. Somebody sure changed their spots apparently.
How is it that the heritage listing dictates certain aspects of preservation, but repeated death duties make that nearly impossible? Is it really preferable to let them crumble and fall down, loosing so much of the irreplaceable history? If someone in a similar situation were to sell, who would ever want to take on the enormous responsibility and expense? Perhaps I am uninformed, but I can't imagine that picnic blankets and hand made chocolates are going to save the day, while supporting the clan!
I am an American 60 year old women whose Father was from the UK and Wales. I do not understand how the government can charge such high death taxes and then expect these dwindling families to pay for upkeep of such “National Heritage Treasures”. Maybe instead of death tax, there should be an Escrow account of the death tax and government Heritage teams come in and use the money for the restoration of these “National Heritage Treasures” and not give the family the money to squander.
LOVE the daughter's & Mom's ginger hair! Beautiful! And the daughter looks like the spitting image of a Rubins painting model when she has her hair tied back a bit. Astonishing!
Some procrastination is obvious, If Ive become a good judge of people on sight, the new blood doesnt look too promising to me, BUT- Something must have happened they now, have a website , showing a beautiful bedroom, saying "Come stay with us" What a blessing ! I hope they can keep it up. England needs to get over this greedy inheritance tax & let people apply for a break when needed & actual work should be rewarded by historical societies, as the UK does have money. Let them put it where their mouths are - talking about their "beloved" heritage!
What I don't get is why they haven't been pooling their resources by all living together and all working full-time to finance the restoration. There are four grown adults, now, and where has all the parents' money been going all these years? Certainly not into the hovel they have lived in since the 1970s! Hobbies? Partially retired??? Noooooo!!! They could have all been living with Warren's mom all this time. It's like it always feels like the people on some of these shows have other homes etc all while knowing they will be inheriting the big house; why not devote oneself to it right off the bat?
I thoughtit was so funny when Ruth at the end said " You come from a long line of people who idled their way around" by the look of the house it's easy to believe it, on the other hand it's an enourmous task to keep up such an old and grand house even when it's in better condition, I wish the Kelly family all the best.
The father is an architect?! Unbelievable! he never got to do the windows to his own flat! . So much laziness and incompetence is incredible! This man did not deserve this house. No wonder it got in this state..
@@aananimitystreet house is pretty messy also. The father looks like a very lazy man. The father feels it was not his house, he happens to be the heir, so he will not touch a wood. He prefers to let it rot
The Kelly's are just a lazy family,they don't deserve this house, Warren is a disgrace, now they have free workers on the place, they will love that, Not impressed!!
The father says he wants to keep the house, but he doesn’t seem excited about it. Maybe he didn’t want it in the first place. I wouldn’t want to take care of such a place.
Ruth has genuine patience! The family is in a financial bind because they lack focus & ambition. Ruth had wonderful ideas to help them out of the mess they're in... they're too thick headed to take advantage of it.
If Mr Kelly is an architect, he should be employed by a firm and then be able to support this renovation. It seems he'd rather entertain himself with hobbies.
I am surprised that they didn"t start with securing the roof trusses and repairing the roof and the foundation. Otherwise progress made on any interiors is at risk. I'm no builder but at least know that.
I was kind of amazed that they were putting render on a ceiling under a leaking roof... but I guess the student gets his practice whether the rain washes it down or not.
Ruth, you are a force to be reckoned with. Whether my house is needing a cleaning or not I pause your videos and get something done. It is so wonderful to see how much you get accomplished by encouraging the people you are trying to help to realize it is up to them. You are an angel! Janice from Arkansas USA
Lol he really thought it was worth a 5 star rating with walls that have water damage, missing wall paper and what wall paper was there was nasty ugly and falling off not to mention dated. And ceiling’s missing. Wow wake up
And complaining that “someone else will reap the benefits”… um, no, if you charge for it, you will reap the benefits! And then proceeds to put in the minimum effort. 🤦🏽♀️
@@purpurina5663 I'm sure, as a boyfriend, he would not profit from the rent being paid. He's got a point, he's just being a petty child about it. Notice how he said "we" spent "Sophie's savings"
I was so irritated by the attitude of the family that I couldn't finish watching. However, did a search of Kelly House, Tavistock and surprised to see they are running a successful B&B with three suites. Work continues on the rest.
And completely unrealistic....generate some money. Build on that. There should have been a organized punch list with the whole group working quickly on the renovations of all rentable sites including parents home...
Especially if the property involved needs repairs - the system should be spending those taxes on the repairs, not just denuding the family of money every generation !
That's the British tax system that has been allowed to escalate for generations to pay for government sponsored programs...health care, social programs, etc.
I was really surprised when I looked on their website that some renovation has taken place. The family seems to expect someone to take care of it for them with no sense of urgency, no direction, no willingness to really work together to accomplish saving of this great house.
Well, she's right. There is a "lazy" gene that's been pasted onto the current generation. These people are deplorable. None of them actually work. If they'd just clear out all of the junk & trash and maintain the grounds, it would make a Big difference. If each person did one small project each day, they'd be a lot further than they are.
Now, 13 years later, Sofia and Woren have 2 children, and they have repaired the Kelly house. They made 4 appartments, and they rent them as B&B (bed and breakfast).
A much grander house in perfect condition near where I grew up was allowed to fall into severe disrepair. It's now on the list of buildings at risk but why allow it to get to this stage ?
I used to wonder about that myself. I think it starts off with, I will get to it later, then they become blind to things that need fixed over time. Then they don’t have the money to fix it because they waited too long. So they just live with it untill it’s to late.
I’m very happy this house seems to be shaping up! Clearly somebody had some hustle. I just keep wondering how/why someone described as an architect either hasn’t ever worked as one, or isn’t working as one at the time of the video? Seems like a more profitable income than his daughter working in a cafe, or something? And, so much of the squalor was due to years of just not cleaning up; pulling/whacking weeds, clearing out the jackdaw mess, all the rotten debris lying around. Leaving decades of organic garbage causes and accelerates rot. If nothing else, combined with inadequate electrical, it’s a fierce fire hazard.
I'm sorry, I'm on his side. He was renovating two flats. One to rent and the other to live in. If I were asked to work on someone else's house day in and day out of grueling work that really wears one down in body and spirit, you'd better be darned sure I would not be camping out in the disintegrating ruins where it's cold and wet and mice would run all over me.
I think its.terrible that the Heritage is so strict that it prohibits affordable repairs. It would rather see these buildings fall into the ground rather than have something out of period.
I can see both sides in this. Some things like pvc windows should be avoided. But double glazing in a wood window frame that looks the part should be an acceptable modernization. I've seen beautiful buildings that were destroyed by modernization in the 70s so I'm glad there are some restrictions.
The serenity with which Ruth took everything in, is something I am not capable of. All this passive decline and decay is so irritating. "My dad has a lot of hobbies" It's sad that making money is not one of them!
Easy to judge when you are not in the situation. These people didn't let this property get this bad, it's been the generations. Places like this are expensive to repair it's not a normal house. Very overwhelming just looking at it.
As a big fan of this program I cannot help noticing that the music often sounds like a Harry Potter Horror-prequel. It’s unfortunately often too loud so one cannot hear any of the people talk in a proper way I quite like the music most of the time but often it’s leading a life of its own
I think RUclips has upped their ads in attempt to bully us all into paying for RUclips Premium. I finally used a stopwatch and the ads are indeed 5 minutes apart!
Okay and the dad is the ONLY ARCHITECT IVE SEEN ON THIS SHOW PERIOD. Let alone be the head of house. He grew up and it was all normalized and still procrastinated. What love can do! Lovely wife. Bless her 🥹 😇 & them ❤️
The UK is demolishing its own history with these outrageous death taxes. How many times must the greedy government wring money out of the same crumbling four walls? Come on. These old rotting houses can barely be maintained as it is. These families need HELP not more taxes. I'm shocked and horrified. If the government doesn't care, why should the families? Just move out and live normal lives rather than devote their lives to maintaining a 900 year old money pit for the good of the country. The country just expects these families to spend their lives paying off death taxes! Horrid! Or work for the house. what about their own lives??
I'm so glad you mentioned this because no one else has. Depression can look like "laziness." Anyone who's suffered from major depression knows that it can make every task feel like an impossible mountain to climb. If you suffer from anxiety it can also have the same debilitating effect on the ability to accomplish tasks. It'd be very depressing to have your 900 year old family home crumbling around you with no money to fix it. There aren't many people with a spare million dollars to fix everything that needs to be fixed in a huge mansion like this one.
Clearly there is a reason the property is this dilapidated; I thought I was being harsh and judgmental but the very owner admits nonchalantly that they sort of don’t see the cracks anymore, or that they would sell and never come back. It’s unnerving. The squire house they live in is a manageable property and is also not in good condition, so…
Well he didn't say that he doesn't see the cracks. He said that, to him, it's an old house, so things aren't going to look as splendid as when it was new. Also, just restoring an old American middle-class Victorian can cost a small fortune -- EVERYTHING has to made to order.
I was already getting emotional watching this at the very start. I hope that these inheritors will get their silver lining. Country homes are part and fabric of English history and culture.
"This is a four-star accommodation, a five-star accommodation", says a guy who obvs never experienced five-star accommodation. The amount of families sitting on gold mines with no vigor, appreciation, and or fire to think outside the box to continue their rich history and lineage is gross. Even worse is that they're quite happy (except the mother) to live like squatters in a health and safety disaster.
Originally the Kelly Estate had land and buildings that were leased out. Over time, neglect, and sold land they don't have that income anymore. The dad worked as an architect and I am sure all his money went into the house but wasn't enough apparently. Now he is retired they have no significant money for the major repairs. The younger Kelly's seemed to have worked it out though as from their website they have repaired the place and are making money again off the Estate.
That's ridiculous that the mother inherited the house increasing the inheritance tax. She owned half from her marriage and the other half should have gone to her son not her. I guess the UK likes to make things more complicated.
Seems like the government of the UK doesn't give a dam about its own heritage. These houses are ridiculously expensive and time consuming to maintain to begin with, and then the government demands gobs of money with every death. Its understandable that people don't want to spend their lives caring for crumbling houses for little benefit..
These estates took inordinate rents and incomes from local farmers. When the industrial Revolution came and offered an opportunity away from share cropping the farmers took it. These estates can’t survive without near slave labor.
This feels like 900 years of being in the habit of sitting back letting other people look after everything, without noticing that eventually there's nobody but you to do the work. Of course, because you've never actually done any real work, you can't do a thing. Useless gentleman with his hobbies and denial, waiting for someone else to take care of everything.
It seems Sophie the daughter has now taken over and delivered what iy deserves ! (I think Chris moved out) ,,,,,,, As for Kelly senior he was as much use as a choclate tea pot, and expecting his wife to live in those conditions !
Chris seemed awfully entitled, as if, having married into a titled family, he *deserved* a nice flat, and not to work, etc. I mean, sure he worked on the flat a bit, but in a lackluster way, complaining the whole time... Probably not a bad thing that he's gone, though it's sad for the family to break up.
Talk about putting paint on a house that is falling down! Looks like the patriarch is the primary obstacle for the house. If these old houses are such a value to the nation, then why are your death taxes so egregious on the passing of the properties from one generation to the next? Why, when I watch these English rehab shows, do they never seem to tackle the roof first and foremost? Repairing ceilings that are only going to get leaked on seems stupid to me. What am I missing?
This is political, but true, and addresses your comment. (I hate it when people make everything about politics.) In the U.S., Democrats want high inheritance taxes even though these taxes make it necessary for many heirs to sell inherited farms and properties to pay the taxes if the value of an estate is higher than, I believe, the $5,000,000 that U.S. inheritance tax law allows to be tax-free. Many Democrats seem unable to grasp the fact that real estate is (usually) not a liquid asset and the value of it doesn't necessarily make a person "rich." Democrats just think the wealthy should pay more taxes as a general principle even though the top 10% - 20% already pays most of the taxes collected by the I.R.S. Republicans have tried to eliminate inheritance taxes because the taxes have already been paid throughout the lifetime of the person who died and taxing inheritances is actually double taxation, but Democrats have always voted against eliminating these taxes. I imagine it's the same situation in Britain. I'm not wealthy by any means, but I don't begrudge other people becoming wealthy. Wealth isn't a zero sum game where if they have money it means I will never have money. Class envy is a Marxist thing that has lead to some extremely violent behavior.
The daughter seems to be withdrawn and even depressed. I don't sense much energy, spark, enthusiasm. She may need treatment to get her energy levels up in order to earn enough money to get this house repaired. I wish them all good luck.
You have to have a business plan if even it's a restoration build project that people visit for information on restoration. Invest in a basic inexpensive scaffolding system that you can move around to do one section at a time.
Incorporate the house as a business and stop with the death taxes! From the looks of things there will a new round of taxes due soon enough, and then what? Will that then be the end of it? Seems a tax planner is needed as much as the finishing of the interiors is needed! If I had been in charge I would have figured out how to deal with the onerous taxes before even painting the exterior had started---- to see if doing anything was even feasible to do! Investigate the possibilities and be practical!
Did he say 5-star accommodation? Whoa, deluded. It is sad that these heirs have been raised without social aptitude or the ability to resource themselves or market their land and homes to the public. They speak well and have impeccable manners, but that is about it. They are living in a bubble, thinking that a house and life around them is omnipotent until time shows how wrong they've been.
the Father dies not deserve this house. He never appreciated the house. just stayed there like a guest. never lift a finger. im actually angry that he his so so lazy. that he is not capable yo do anything for the house. thank God for Ruth Watson. Angel fallen from the sky to help them . Ruth is so a making patient. she is amazing person. great ideas and so talented. I eould have given up in this family specially the father. what he learn in his school... nothing. can't build anything.... wow...
If English heritage is so important to the English people why does the English government cripple the families that owns these homes with inheritance tax?
It is not just inheritance tax. These estates were only sustainable when large amount of labor was available at slave wages. Even if they did not have to pay inheritance tax - they still have no money for basic repairs.
I've watched many episodes of this wonderful series, and the trend seems to be lack of gainful employment or an attitude that money will fall into their laps because of what they own or their family name. Very strange, but that is also why this series is so interesting.
What a useless man the father is - and the daughter seems to have inherited his attitude too. Mum is a sweetheart & the son-in-law is trying to do his best, but they are not home-fixers at all. Very sad ! They exude depression & obviously make each other depressed too - that's what sometimes happens when you are on top of it all & can't see it any more ! I hope it worked out, but that being the 'gentleman of the house' attitude is what is killing them ! No servants these days so you have to get on with it yourself ! A beautiful old place & just watching it fall apart ! Grrrr !
Idk how tax law works outside the states but couldn't they just buy the property from their family cheap before inheritance to avoid that inheritance tax
It such a shame these houses are part of British history. Whilst I am not in favour of inheritance/death taxes. I cannot believe how badly the current owners have let it fall into such disrepair, the guy is an architect, the place is a mess, full of rubbish inside and outside, that type of maintenance does not cost much just some work which he clearly is capable of and has the time. It just seems as though laziness is part of the problem, none of them had jobs, so therefore plenty of spare time on their hands, before Ruth came along.
Not one of them with a bit of drive or ambition. They want everything done for them ? They should sell, and let somebody or a business/hotel venture invest the capital needed. The father, as an architect (!!!!) should be ashamed of his contribution
Kind of interesting how the tables have turned on the old feudal system. Instead of demanding payments the lord of the house is now begging for volunteers.
I was surprised to see, by an internet search, that this family actually made a go of this place and now run a B&B. After seeing their attitudes in this episode, I was sure the house was fated to fall down around their ears. Glad to see they finally took their situation seriously!
Thanks for the update! 😊
@@jewelzbtully4934 that's quite a surprise!!
I was shocked to see the improvements on their current website. After watching this video, I thought this family was totally unable to do it, as they seemed so - depleted of energy. But clearly they (or some people, anyways!) have made a go! Rooms look beautifully, if simply, restored. I wish them all the luck going forward!
So glad to hear it.
I couldn't have been in Ruth's shoes even if I had her knowledge, because I wouldn't have gotten my mouth to close and then my teeth to unclench at the almost complete uselessness of the patriarch. Train as an architect, then sit around in a ruin for 30 years puttering with hobbies and tolerating the decay... So, yeah, I am very glad to hear that things finally worked out after all. Looks like it's still in the family.
@@trixesatelier Isn't it!? Shocked me!! But I'm happy for them. I would hate to see an unfortunate end to a long line of Kelly's.
Putting a coat of paint on a house that is falling down is a perfect metaphor for the way they have approached the problem. This guy is an Architect. As an
Arcihitect myself that has renovated many old homes, I can say that he should have complete measured drawings of the house with a phased plan for restoration, cost estimates for the work, a plan for business opportunities that can create a revenue stream, and a master plan of the entire property and what needs to be done that will allow a business plan to work. He is puttering around on his hobbies to avoid the elephant in the room...fixing the house.
I also wonder!
The 1. thing to do is timber work, on the roof and between the stocks...
Agreed. Dad was incompetent and lazy.
@@davidlynch9049I think it’s extremely harsh to refer to the owner as incompetent and lazy. I believe it was more a case of the poor man being totally overwhelmed. I know I certainly would be. He must have been paralyzed with fear he would be the first person in 900 years to lose the family home. You could see in his face and hear in his voice how afraid he was of losing his family estate. Have a heart.
Yep, it's seems like Brits and just lazy folks with their heads up their arsses!
@@mrsdashwood9700 Evidence is in the up keep of that place. He obviously is not mechanically inclined. Or anybody in that house! What a shame :(
Painting the walls while the roof breaks down... lol
My thoughts exactly .... make sure all the repairs are done, then do the painting!
An intact roof maintained is most important and the n the windows. The huge amount money the government charges for inheriting grand although declining properties is a huge burden that diverts funds to maintain.
I totally agree! Every house I've watched. They need to fix the roof and windows, then you can fix the inside.
I love it when Chris is whining about not getting to live in the apartment but saying Sophie spent thousands he spent nothing. And it’s not wasted if he marries her they’ll inherit the entire house someday. Not looking at the big picture and Sophie as her mother still not complaining❤
I didn't like Chris' attitude at first either. He's only the boyfriend lol
I think one of the biggest downfalls of these great houses and the burdens they pass down is the ridiculous death taxes. How can something continually be taxed until there is nothing left to give. It makes zero sense.
I would think the royal family would be more magnanimous about maintaining these historical homes throughout Great Britain. --- Besides their own, that is.
How do you think the royals can live like they do...
@Polly Pocket, Excellent point.
So true
I agree- the tax situation is ridiculous. If they want to keep these magnificent houses, they need new tax laws in these instances. I cannot imagine worrying your life away over that - horrible!
I was delighted so many people turned up. I'm sure they helped give Mr. Kelly a much needed boost.
How odd to have to be told to get jobs when income is needed.
I thought the Chris guy was the son and heir by the way he spoke about things, but he’s just a bloody boyfriend. He certainly wore some serious entitlement for a house that wasn’t even his!! I was very surprised to see that the house seems to be thriving years later with the same family. Somebody sure changed their spots apparently.
How is it that the heritage listing dictates certain aspects of preservation, but repeated death duties make that nearly impossible? Is it really preferable to let them crumble and fall down, loosing so much of the irreplaceable history? If someone in a similar situation were to sell, who would ever want to take on the enormous responsibility and expense? Perhaps I am uninformed, but I can't imagine that picnic blankets and hand made chocolates are going to save the day, while supporting the clan!
I am an American 60 year old women whose Father was from the UK and Wales. I do not understand how the government can charge such high death taxes and then expect these dwindling families to pay for upkeep of such “National Heritage Treasures”. Maybe instead of death tax, there should be an Escrow account of the death tax and government Heritage teams come in and use the money for the restoration of these “National Heritage Treasures” and not give the family the money to squander.
I really like the way you think.
they need to make tax breaks for these homes so they can be kept and restored
These ‘country homes’ were mostly build from colonialism and slavery.
LOVE the daughter's & Mom's ginger hair! Beautiful! And the daughter looks like the spitting image of a Rubins painting model when she has her hair tied back a bit. Astonishing!
Some procrastination is obvious, If Ive become a good judge of people on sight, the new blood doesnt look too promising to me, BUT- Something must have happened they now, have a website , showing a beautiful bedroom, saying "Come stay with us" What a blessing ! I hope they can keep it up. England needs to get over this greedy inheritance tax & let people apply for a break when needed & actual work should be rewarded by historical societies, as the UK does have money. Let them put it where their mouths are - talking about their "beloved" heritage!
What I don't get is why they haven't been pooling their resources by all living together and all working full-time to finance the restoration. There are four grown adults, now, and where has all the parents' money been going all these years? Certainly not into the hovel they have lived in since the 1970s! Hobbies? Partially retired??? Noooooo!!! They could have all been living with Warren's mom all this time. It's like it always feels like the people on some of these shows have other homes etc all while knowing they will be inheriting the big house; why not devote oneself to it right off the bat?
I thoughtit was so funny when Ruth at the end said " You come from a long line of people who idled their way around" by the look of the house it's easy to believe it, on the other hand it's an enourmous task to keep up such an old and grand house even when it's in better condition, I wish the Kelly family all the best.
They never bothered to try until she showed up. Lazy wasters.
900 years of family history in one house! That is incredible! And mind boggling!
Imagine! all those boogers on the mirrors!
Quite amazing actually.
The father is an architect?! Unbelievable! he never got to do the windows to his own flat! . So much laziness and incompetence is incredible! This man did not deserve this house. No wonder it got in this state..
I don't think he was incompetent. All of his hobbies were more important. He probably thought it beneath him to glaze windows.
@@aananimitystreet house is pretty messy also. The father looks like a very lazy man. The father feels it was not his house, he happens to be the heir, so he will not touch a wood. He prefers to let it rot
What a lazy man, he is lucky so many people showed up
The Kelly's are just a lazy family,they don't deserve this house, Warren is a disgrace, now they have free workers on the place, they will love that, Not impressed!!
The father says he wants to keep the house, but he doesn’t seem excited about it. Maybe he didn’t want it in the first place. I wouldn’t want to take care of such a place.
Ruth has genuine patience! The family is in a financial bind because they lack focus & ambition. Ruth had wonderful ideas to help them out of the mess they're in... they're too thick headed to take advantage of it.
If Mr Kelly is an architect, he should be employed by a firm and then be able to support this renovation. It seems he'd rather entertain himself with hobbies.
Laziness
I am surprised that they didn"t start with securing the roof trusses and repairing the roof and the foundation. Otherwise progress made on any interiors is at risk. I'm no builder but at least know that.
Same with the painting, how does that make sense. Start with the structure, then worry about aesthetics.
I was kind of amazed that they were putting render on a ceiling under a leaking roof... but I guess the student gets his practice whether the rain washes it down or not.
Lack of $$
Exactly! I kept telling them "fix the roof first" The first serious rainfall is going to destroy much of the painting, etc
They never cared. These are the people you don't want to inherit your house. Lazy wasters who don't work.
Ruth, you are a force to be reckoned with. Whether my house is needing a cleaning or not I pause your videos and get something done. It is so wonderful to see how much you get accomplished by encouraging the people you are trying to help to realize it is up to them. You are an angel! Janice from Arkansas USA
Lol he really thought it was worth a 5 star rating with walls that have water damage, missing wall paper and what wall paper was there was nasty ugly and falling off not to mention dated. And ceiling’s missing. Wow wake up
And complaining that “someone else will reap the benefits”… um, no, if you charge for it, you will reap the benefits! And then proceeds to put in the minimum effort. 🤦🏽♀️
@@purpurina5663 I'm sure, as a boyfriend, he would not profit from the rent being paid. He's got a point, he's just being a petty child about it. Notice how he said "we" spent "Sophie's savings"
The boyfriend is as dumb as they come. Very dim.
@@DNBon.an808 what more does a boyfriend expect? Can grown men no longer commit to marriage and then also benefit from the family heirloom...pathetic
Wow, they are FIXING IT !
His wife is a saint!
I was so irritated by the attitude of the family that I couldn't finish watching. However, did a search of Kelly House, Tavistock and surprised to see they are running a successful B&B with three suites. Work continues on the rest.
Do they have pictures of the suites?
I was mostly irritated by the boyfriend. And his Entitled attitude about having to work/ move out
@@natashab3412 He and his wife were wasters. Terrible lazy people.
@@natashab3412Looks to me from current press pieces the entitles boyfriend didn’t stick around.
@@sashalibby3800Good!😠
Accolades to Ruth for pulling this off. It looked like a goner to me. Everyone seemed lethargic.
And completely unrealistic....generate some money. Build on that. There should have been a organized punch list with the whole group working quickly on the renovations of all rentable sites including parents home...
Yes, the father and daughter almost seemed to be on “something” or just really not interested.
if there is not 1,-£ rest for buying material, no one can work.
I wonder if some are affected by interbreeding
Bespoke picnic blankets, ah okayyyyy.
IKR? 😂😂😂
I thought that was funny😂 Chris😂
How many times do they have to pay a death tax on the same property? Seems like tax reform is also needed.
Especially if the property involved needs repairs - the system should be spending those taxes on the repairs, not just denuding the family of money every generation !
That's the British tax system that has been allowed to escalate for generations to pay for government sponsored programs...health care, social programs, etc.
@@shirleybalinski4535 As well as subsidizing failing industries during the post-war consensus to the current day.
They were given this house a thousand years ago
@@shirleybalinski4535 More like spending on parties in Downing Street when they shouldn't be.
"You come from a long line of people who have idled their way around". Ouch.
I was really surprised when I looked on their website that some renovation has taken place. The family seems to expect someone to take care of it for them with no sense of urgency, no direction, no willingness to really work together to accomplish saving of this great house.
Well, she's right. There is a "lazy" gene that's been pasted onto the current generation. These people are deplorable. None of them actually work. If they'd just clear out all of the junk & trash and maintain the grounds, it would make a Big difference. If each person did one small project each day, they'd be a lot further than they are.
Now, 13 years later, Sofia and Woren have 2 children, and they have repaired the Kelly house. They made 4 appartments, and they rent them as B&B (bed and breakfast).
Bespoke picnic blankets.
@@christinamirkovic3857 is the worthless dad gone?
🤣
Really? To me it seemed like the kids were the ones doing all the work on it, and putting their own money into it too.
A much grander house in perfect condition near where I grew up was allowed to fall into severe disrepair. It's now on the list of buildings at risk but why allow it to get to this stage ?
Moronic inheritors.
I used to wonder about that myself. I think it starts off with, I will get to it later, then they become blind to things that need fixed over time. Then they don’t have the money to fix it because they waited too long. So they just live with it untill it’s to late.
Money, time. Energy, workers.
$$$
@@liss2503 Not very many people have the $$ to renovate a place that big. Should've been done over the last several hundred years..
I’m very happy this house seems to be shaping up! Clearly somebody had some hustle. I just keep wondering how/why someone described as an architect either hasn’t ever worked as one, or isn’t working as one at the time of the video? Seems like a more profitable income than his daughter working in a cafe, or something? And, so much of the squalor was due to years of just not cleaning up; pulling/whacking weeds, clearing out the jackdaw mess, all the rotten debris lying around. Leaving decades of organic garbage causes and accelerates rot. If nothing else, combined with inadequate electrical, it’s a fierce fire hazard.
Weeds growing on the front porch! No one lifting a finger. Shame.
It was mentioned that he was semi retired architect.
Sulking about renovating the flat that will earn the money to stop the whole building from falling down 🙄🙄🙄
I'm sorry, I'm on his side. He was renovating two flats. One to rent and the other to live in. If I were asked to work on someone else's house day in and day out of grueling work that really wears one down in body and spirit, you'd better be darned sure I would not be camping out in the disintegrating ruins where it's cold and wet and mice would run all over me.
I think its.terrible that the Heritage is so strict that it prohibits affordable repairs. It would rather see these buildings fall into the ground rather than have something out of period.
I can see both sides in this. Some things like pvc windows should be avoided. But double glazing in a wood window frame that looks the part should be an acceptable modernization. I've seen beautiful buildings that were destroyed by modernization in the 70s so I'm glad there are some restrictions.
The serenity with which Ruth took everything in, is something I am not capable of. All this passive decline and decay is so irritating. "My dad has a lot of hobbies" It's sad that making money is not one of them!
The hobbies were a distraction from the hopelessness of the place. It is a self denial mechanism.
They did say that he is an architect. Doesn't look like he does much of that, though.
Easy to judge when you are not in the situation. These people didn't let this property get this bad, it's been the generations. Places like this are expensive to repair it's not a normal house. Very overwhelming just looking at it.
@@RD9_Designs He's retired.
@@wakranich3488 he’s retired from life, apathetic. Restoring an ancient car at the cost of God knows what. Sell the damn car and get on with it!
As a big fan of this program I cannot help noticing that the music often sounds like a Harry Potter Horror-prequel.
It’s unfortunately often too loud so one cannot hear any of the people talk in a proper way
I quite like the music most of the time but often it’s leading a life of its own
I agree! I usually watch TV with the captions on and this show it is a must with the background music so loud at times.
Thank you - love anything starring Ruth Watson
They seem nice, but clueless 😕
I think RUclips has upped their ads in attempt to bully us all into paying for RUclips Premium. I finally used a stopwatch and the ads are indeed 5 minutes apart!
The channel owner gets to decide how many ads are allowed
It’s the channel that gets to decide about most of the ads. YT does have mandatory ads but not all of them. Blame the channel owner.
Okay and the dad is the ONLY ARCHITECT IVE SEEN ON THIS SHOW PERIOD. Let alone be the head of house. He grew up and it was all normalized and still procrastinated. What love can do! Lovely wife. Bless her 🥹 😇 & them ❤️
Apprentice programs are brilliant.
Painting this derelict house while it is crumbling around them is a total waste of time. Focus on structural problems such roof, walls and foundation.
This family is a piece of work!
Esp the boyfriend.
If my family had been there 900 years i would be more motivated.
900 years bred the fight out of them
What a funny attitude. Sharing that they are a five star establishment is crazy. You at least need a roof and floors. That will get you a 1 star.
The UK is demolishing its own history with these outrageous death taxes. How many times must the greedy government wring money out of the same crumbling four walls? Come on. These old rotting houses can barely be maintained as it is. These families need HELP not more taxes. I'm shocked and horrified. If the government doesn't care, why should the families? Just move out and live normal lives rather than devote their lives to maintaining a 900 year old money pit for the good of the country. The country just expects these families to spend their lives paying off death taxes! Horrid! Or work for the house. what about their own lives??
I think depression has so much to do with the attitude! I can't imagine the pressure it takes to try to keep up.
I'm so glad you mentioned this because no one else has. Depression can look like "laziness." Anyone who's suffered from major depression knows that it can make every task feel like an impossible mountain to climb. If you suffer from anxiety it can also have the same debilitating effect on the ability to accomplish tasks.
It'd be very depressing to have your 900 year old family home crumbling around you with no money to fix it. There aren't many people with a spare million dollars to fix everything that needs to be fixed in a huge mansion like this one.
Exactly!
I love that Robert Crawley narrates all these episodes!
“All the farms that would have supported the estate”, as in all the serfs once working for the family couldn’t keep up with the family spendings.
The Kelly patriarch, Warren is infuriating --- his lack of effort & enthusiasm is beyond frustrating!!! 🤔
Clearly there is a reason the property is this dilapidated; I thought I was being harsh and judgmental but the very owner admits nonchalantly that they sort of don’t see the cracks anymore, or that they would sell and never come back. It’s unnerving. The squire house they live in is a manageable property and is also not in good condition, so…
True, the house isn't as huge as some grand castles.
Well he didn't say that he doesn't see the cracks. He said that, to him, it's an old house, so things aren't going to look as splendid as when it was new. Also, just restoring an old American middle-class Victorian can cost a small fortune -- EVERYTHING has to made to order.
@@bigred9428 6:33
I was already getting emotional watching this at the very start. I hope that these inheritors will get their silver lining. Country homes are part and fabric of English history and culture.
With the exception of the mum, that family seem to be sleepwalking.
I just can’t deal with their apathy.
This house deserves a family w love and money to save her
They were able to restore the house and work with it. It seems that despite all the odds they realize they need to work.
The apprentice program seems doable- free labor. Frank Lloyd Wright did that as well
Sophie's hair= ❤️
Having a cherry picker is such a great investment if you own such a house. Helps with painting and roof repairs. Keeping water out is do important!
"This is a four-star accommodation, a five-star accommodation", says a guy who obvs never experienced five-star accommodation. The amount of families sitting on gold mines with no vigor, appreciation, and or fire to think outside the box to continue their rich history and lineage is gross. Even worse is that they're quite happy (except the mother) to live like squatters in a health and safety disaster.
Not sure why Ruth talks with Chris more, it's Sophie's family house. Chris is only the boyfriend.
How did they live, obtain basic necessities, in the first place if they had no source of income? 0_o
Originally the Kelly Estate had land and buildings that were leased out. Over time, neglect, and sold land they don't have that income anymore. The dad worked as an architect and I am sure all his money went into the house but wasn't enough apparently. Now he is retired they have no significant money for the major repairs.
The younger Kelly's seemed to have worked it out though as from their website they have repaired the place and are making money again off the Estate.
That's ridiculous that the mother inherited the house increasing the inheritance tax. She owned half from her marriage and the other half should have gone to her son not her. I guess the UK likes to make things more complicated.
Seems like the government of the UK doesn't give a dam about its own heritage. These houses are ridiculously expensive and time consuming to maintain to begin with, and then the government demands gobs of money with every death. Its understandable that people don't want to spend their lives caring for crumbling houses for little benefit..
The king needs his money or the land. Good way to bankrupt landowners.
As a Kelly descendant I am embarrassed by the condition of my family’s estate
Nobody seems concerned about the roof.
That would have been number one on my priority list. Certainly more important than painting the crumbling exterior.
Because they are very stupid.
Mum seems like the only one who cares, the other 3 just seem to look the other way, good luck to them
Correction... The BOYFRIEND is the most motivated. Hope he married her, otherwise why do all of this work?
Family loses two members fighting for their country. Country rewards them with death duties that ruins the family. Absurd. Govts!
And a very common story. I know it’s on a completely different scale but that happened to the Cavendish (Duke of Devonshire) family too.
These estates took inordinate rents and incomes from local farmers. When the industrial Revolution came and offered an opportunity away from share cropping the farmers took it. These estates can’t survive without near slave labor.
Just paying back the dues they owe after generations living off others’ backbreaking work.
The hair that mom and daughter have...❤❤❤
This feels like 900 years of being in the habit of sitting back letting other people look after everything, without noticing that eventually there's nobody but you to do the work. Of course, because you've never actually done any real work, you can't do a thing. Useless gentleman with his hobbies and denial, waiting for someone else to take care of everything.
Wow this was painful to watch.
It seems Sophie the daughter has now taken over and delivered what iy deserves ! (I think Chris moved out) ,,,,,,, As for Kelly senior he was as much use as a choclate tea pot, and expecting his wife to live in those conditions !
Chris seemed awfully entitled, as if, having married into a titled family, he *deserved* a nice flat, and not to work, etc. I mean, sure he worked on the flat a bit, but in a lackluster way, complaining the whole time... Probably not a bad thing that he's gone, though it's sad for the family to break up.
@@VisionaryGardener He was just a boyfriend. No marriage.
Chris was a waster. No brains.
I wish they would go back and relook at where these families and their houses are at now.
"We get really excited about beetles and rot" is maybe one of the best sentences ever lol
What surprises me is the man , squire, is an architect. Makes me wonder about his work ethic.
Agreed. As an architect doesn't he know about the apprenticeship programs and other resources available to him? What does he design, bird houses?
@@susannedelisle7709 well, I hope he got his act together, not fair his wife does so much.
@@roselee4445 ,
She's done more than him, but it wasn't really that much.
Talk about putting paint on a house that is falling down! Looks like the patriarch is the primary obstacle for the house. If these old houses are such a value to the nation, then why are your death taxes so egregious on the passing of the properties from one generation to the next? Why, when I watch these English rehab shows, do they never seem to tackle the roof first and foremost? Repairing ceilings that are only going to get leaked on seems stupid to me. What am I missing?
This is political, but true, and addresses your comment. (I hate it when people make everything about politics.)
In the U.S., Democrats want high inheritance taxes even though these taxes make it necessary for many heirs to sell inherited farms and properties to pay the taxes if the value of an estate is higher than, I believe, the $5,000,000 that U.S. inheritance tax law allows to be tax-free. Many Democrats seem unable to grasp the fact that real estate is (usually) not a liquid asset and the value of it doesn't necessarily make a person "rich." Democrats just think the wealthy should pay more taxes as a general principle even though the top 10% - 20% already pays most of the taxes collected by the I.R.S. Republicans have tried to eliminate inheritance taxes because the taxes have already been paid throughout the lifetime of the person who died and taxing inheritances is actually double taxation, but Democrats have always voted against eliminating these taxes. I imagine it's the same situation in Britain.
I'm not wealthy by any means, but I don't begrudge other people becoming wealthy. Wealth isn't a zero sum game where if they have money it means I will never have money. Class envy is a Marxist thing that has lead to some extremely violent behavior.
The death taxes probably started as a way to force the old guard off the land so the developers could come in.
As long as that roof isn't done, I'm not going there. At 240£. I say!!!
The daughter seems to be withdrawn and even depressed. I don't sense much energy, spark, enthusiasm. She may need treatment to get her energy levels up in order to earn enough money to get this house repaired. I wish them all good luck.
You have to have a business plan if even it's a restoration build project that people visit for information on restoration. Invest in a basic inexpensive scaffolding system that you can move around to do one section at a time.
I thought that, too. Then you can rent the scaffolding to other folks in the area when you're through.
At about 13 minutes in Ruth shows she’s the best of the best. I like her immensely.
Time for the beginning of another family to take over.
Exactly right.
Incorporate the house as a business and stop with the death taxes! From the looks of things there will a new round of taxes due soon enough, and then what?
Will that then be the end of it?
Seems a tax planner is needed as much as the finishing of the interiors is needed! If I had been in charge I would have figured out how to deal with the onerous taxes before even painting the exterior had started---- to see if doing anything was even feasible to do!
Investigate the possibilities and be practical!
Did he say 5-star accommodation? Whoa, deluded. It is sad that these heirs have been raised without social aptitude or the ability to resource themselves or market their land and homes to the public. They speak well and have impeccable manners, but that is about it. They are living in a bubble, thinking that a house and life around them is omnipotent until time shows how wrong they've been.
the Father dies not deserve this house. He never appreciated the house. just stayed there like a guest. never lift a finger. im actually angry that he his so so lazy. that he is not capable yo do anything for the house. thank God for Ruth Watson. Angel fallen from the sky to help them . Ruth is so a making patient. she is amazing person. great ideas and so talented.
I eould have given up in this family specially the father. what he learn in his school... nothing. can't build anything.... wow...
If English heritage is so important to the English people why does the English government cripple the families that owns these homes with inheritance tax?
It is not just inheritance tax. These estates were only sustainable when large amount of labor was available at slave wages. Even if they did not have to pay inheritance tax - they still have no money for basic repairs.
How an architect wait so long to this ? Good Lord. It is going to be more expensive to fix it.
I've watched many episodes of this wonderful series, and the trend seems to be lack of gainful employment or an attitude that money will fall into their laps because of what they own or their family name. Very strange, but that is also why this series is so interesting.
What a useless man the father is - and the daughter seems to have inherited his attitude too. Mum is a sweetheart & the son-in-law is trying to do his best, but they are not home-fixers at all. Very sad ! They exude depression & obviously make each other depressed too - that's what sometimes happens when you are on top of it all & can't see it any more ! I hope it worked out, but that being the 'gentleman of the house' attitude is what is killing them ! No servants these days so you have to get on with it yourself ! A beautiful old place & just watching it fall apart ! Grrrr !
Spot on, you couldn’t have presented the facts any clearer!
Do the descendants just get dumber and dumber and lazier with each generation.
Often that is true. Look at the descendants of wealthy families here in the US.
Less than 10 minutes in and I'm wondering what their problem is with ladders. Shaking my head.
The family's lack of energy, inertia and inability to do anything well explain why the house has come to this state.
Idk how tax law works outside the states but couldn't they just buy the property from their family cheap before inheritance to avoid that inheritance tax
I'm confused about the dad being semi-retired and the two younger people not working?
It such a shame these houses are part of British history. Whilst I am not in favour of inheritance/death taxes. I cannot believe how badly the current owners have let it fall into such disrepair, the guy is an architect, the place is a mess, full of rubbish inside and outside, that type of maintenance does not cost much just some work which he clearly is capable of and has the time. It just seems as though laziness is part of the problem, none of them had jobs, so therefore plenty of spare time on their hands, before Ruth came along.
It seems that it's been a hundred years or so of decay .paint won't hold it together.
Ruth come help meee! 😂 love her telling it like it is.
Not one of them with a bit of drive or ambition. They want everything done for them ? They should sell, and let somebody or a business/hotel venture invest the capital needed. The father, as an architect (!!!!) should be ashamed of his contribution
Don't you mean "lack of contribution"?
Ok, so you go over there and tell them you'll do it all yourself for a piece of the action.
Kind of interesting how the tables have turned on the old feudal system. Instead of demanding payments the lord of the house is now begging for volunteers.
I googled, amd they said they werent taking reservations! What gives?!?!? I thought they were trying to make a go of it!
Kelly Family not use to work
Hopefully they can safe the historic home 🤞❤
Camping in, not camping out. Could have kept a neater room.