Renovating Mansion Into A Wedding Venue To Avoid EVICTION | Country House Rescue | Abode

[@akashmukhopadhyay9335]

I would never want to live like this However beautiful it may be. Ruth's remark of the service charge being heightened that too based on square footage was absolutely correct. The cost of 1 apple can't be the same of a kilo of apples.

[@LisaNH934]

🍎 Exactly!

[@michellezevenaar]

So true! Especially because the bigger flats sell for more money and use more energy.

[@WeSombreGhosts]

Yes that was not fair on the chap living in the butlers quarter’s and some with 5 bedroom gaffs !!

[@ellenhageman7380]

Ruth is always the smartest one in the room. The fees should be raised but equitably based on square footage. They should do weddings and the glam camping.

[@Theater00jock]

Equal fees when first starting out trying to share responsibility for saving a home, makes some sense. But at this point it's no longer fair. 100% needs to be raised equitably based on size.

[@graceandglory1948]

Well....I watched this, listened carefully, and then read all the comments. I think that what we have here with some of them is old fashioned shortsightedness, selfishness, and the unfortunate traits that often come with the elderly. I see things differently at 74 than when I was 50. Needs change with age. Perhaps it's time for the elderly who cannot handle the noise to find a home elsewhere for the sake of the survival of the building. You must be flexible, willing to try something new that is within the realm of possibility. When you stop believing that, it's all over.

[@ezwriter101]

Yes, I think everyone should think clearly about being on the hook for ongoing repairs especially if they have a limited income. Growing old there under deteriorating conditions will be costly and impractical.

[@patrice7p]

I have visited their website in 2023. Extremely well made and very appealing! The focus was on weddings and events. Bravo for those who made that decision.

[@Lisette777]

My thoughts are simply: "Do whatever works to keep that gorgeous roof over your heads!" Surely, one inconvenient overnight wedding once a week would not be so bad? I mean...if it means you get to keep your magnificent apartments, yeah? I would have taken all that into consideration before buying a flat there.

[@valeriegordon3000]

Have the weddings during the week when no one is there. Not everyone does them on weekends

[@dudeorduuude5211]

Sounds like they can only do 12 a year. So the pain of 1 a month is miniscule.

[@Luna.3.3.3]

@GrizzledWolf - I couldn't agree more! If that's the only inconvenience to live in a stunning place, I would do so in a heartbeat.

[@ivorytower99]

@@Luna.3.3.3 Right?

[@valentinerichardbarker8765]

I would have thought it was perfectly obvious that the service charge should be based on the square meterage of the apartment occupied, and this would allow the total to be augmented while the amount payed by the man in the small apartment where the Butler's pantry used to be could actually diminish and be more proportionate to the size of his dwelling. Basically the residents must make their minds up, either they have more events and sacrifice a little of their privacy, or they pay more so that they don't need to. Like so many people in Britain, they want to have their cake and eat it, and that just doesn't work.

[@davidlynch9049]

Agreed, but former hippies and creatives don't understand basic economics.

[@movingforwardfco1587]

Photographers would pay. Such amazing places.

[@twistoffate4791]

Great idea, actually.

[@marthaj67]

As would film production companies. I'm sure I've seen something filmed there, but I may be wrong. Still, it would be a perfect setting for a grand, period film. Although I don't think the residents would go for it, sadly.

[@mattneillninasmom]

Current Google search indicates a working wedding venue and meeting spaces, with an apartment up for sale starting at offers of $285,000. Wonder, if someone moved or died? Apparently, some of Ruth's suggestions were listened to and acted on!

[@bodyloverz30]

For $285K this would be a great place to live.

[@LaLadybug2011]

A Part II update would be great wouldn't it?!

[@mapleleaf0]

Thank you for mentioning this. I found the website to be pretty encouraging. It looks like they also hold a regular summer festival to raise money for specific projects. Most recent one says restoring Victorian greenhouses.

[@mapleleaf0]

I wonder if they've hired an event coordinator. There could be an awful lot going on, and I'd think that would be the only way to manage it.

[@dudeorduuude5211]

Pounds, dude, not dollars. So more like $350,000-$450,000, depending which country's "dollar" you are using.

[@ellee2937]

I thot the posh camping ground was a great $ making idea & the campers can be told they cant venture onto the residents area as its private so its rather puzzling why they rejected this proposal

[@brianscotpatterson2101]

Just looked up the current state of Whitbourne Hall. Looks like it has a thriving business consisting of weddings, corporate retreats, and special events. So I guess they settled on all of the above!

[@shastac1396]

These old dogs are definitely not interested in learning any new tricks

[@janeingram7331]

As a former president of a condo association, their fees of $22,000 total for all the residents is ridiculous. . I paid $500 a month for 1450 square feet. A new roof alone would be more than $22K. They need to raise the fee and have a slush fund for unforeseen maintenance. They are doing their own lawn mowing? Wow. This sounds like a very poorly run enterprise.

[@davidlynch9049]

Yes, but with residents wanting to tend to the garden, let them and save some money. You are probably American. Brits have a very different view on gardens and lawn care.

[@jenniferfelts3899]

Once these old homes are gone they will never be again & all the beautiful history is just in a old dusty photo album maybe so take the advise and try and save it♡Would be well worth it❤❤

[@tinkercooper1332]

The easiest route for those Individual's Is to continue exactly what they're doing, Absolutely Nothing. When the time comes and they must move, maybe then they'll see It was far more Inconvenient to of done nothing.. This Is why they're In the spot they now find themselves... Won't feel sorry for folk's who refuse to help themselves...

[@muhlaynee]

The problem with cooperative housing like this one is that it creates a parasitic environment. You have the biggest flat but are paying the same fees as the person in the butler's pantry?! Some people are working and others not. It's clear the majority of them can't afford to live there but want the status of living in a country manor. The one guy wearing cheap suit and tie wants to make business contacts so he's pushing for day conferences. The fact is most of them are elderly and can't do the work that needs to be done but can't afford to pay people to serve them. It's the entitlement, laziness and greed that doesn't make one care much for the outcome of this estate.

[@10AntsTapDancing]

It's a bit like Socialism really isn't it? If they charged a realistic service charge then they wouldn't have to have events anyway.

[@BetjeWolff-v2s]

Yep !

[@ezwriter101]

Yeah, so much for this "ethos" they're talking about when the butler's pantry is costing the same as a 5-room flat.

[@thedevilandhertrumpets4268]

No matter the video subject, the background music is glorious. Would love to waltz to it on any of these mansion ballrooms.

[@elleelle812]

From 22:23 to around 25:00 when Ruth was explaining how they could generate income, their body language squarely told me that they were resistant (unfortunately). The folded arms, smug smiles and looks around to each other said alot.

[@2Sugarbears]

And they can sit like that until the roof falls in on them.

[@SB-jn5ge]

@@2Sugarbears yep

[@stevent5862]

The roof is falling on their heads, and they are just not willing to do anything other than their own selfish concerns. If I lived there, I’d contact a good real estate agent and sell ASAP. It’s now 23 years later. Let’s hope a new group of owners have been able to pull their heads out of the weeds, and this stunning piece of architecture is saved.

[@2Sugarbears]

I know. Its amazing.

[@N0N4M30]

I wish they’d show more of the actual estate and all the sweet details in it

[@justinwhite6787]

Anyone else just jump to the end and then Google to see what's happening Now? Seems like someone got their act in gear, the place has a gorgeous site and looks to be a successful venue now.

[@outingsforoldladieswhoaren7664]

Seems like some of these residents don't care past their own time in the hall. They are leaving all the worries to the future and just trying to not be inconvenienced for their tenure there. Concern over conservation of the beautiful hall is not a priority.

[@2Sugarbears]

Its falling down. That should spark them to do something.

[@Whoiskevinjones]

Wish we could have heard more from the dissenters and seen how little they contribute to solving their financial problems. That would've made for good television.

[@RadCenter]

Every one of these houses makes me want to rent a pressure washer and get to work.

[@charliebrown5755]

Lovely as they all are, I don't think the people living there can't afford this fabulous apartment house

[@aprilblossoms4]

Nothing specific about this episode but I love this show. Ruth + Hugh Bonneville + music all add a charm that can’t be replicated.

[@tlee4395]

All I can do is roll my eyes.

[@stefaniaponitz5738]

I've never seen a big group of people like this do so little lol. I'm absolutely allergic to meetings so I could never live in a group setting like this.

[@wendykarle3114]

This entire episode has me LMFAO. It's like an extended episode of Portlandia!

[@SB-jn5ge]

💯

[@atodaso1668]

NLP never heard of it, sounds like a loony toons idea. Reminds me of my friends mom that paid someone $1500 to scan for "harmful energy waves" in their house lol

[@davidlynch9049]

NLP has been around for ages.

[@atodaso1668]

@@davidlynch9049 Doesn't mean its not a loony toons idea.

[@BetjeWolff-v2s]

It is from the end of the sixties..... the effect of language on the nervous system.......is used to bring people under hypnoses during psychotherapy.... therefore it suggest to have control @@atodaso1668

[@SB-jn5ge]

[@2Sugarbears]

3:37 He just proved her right.

[@pso4686]

The glamorous camping is actually called “glamping”.

[@LaLadybug2011]

I'm only 4 minutes in but ahh, renters shouldn't have a say in matters that owners should be deciding. Maybe I need to rewatch the four to understand what the legal situation is concerning this property. I must have missed it. 10:29 So, the apartment dwellers are owners, not renters. But it's very simple, the big house will crumble around them if it isn't repaired and kept up. If they don't like the idea of sharing the grounds and ballroom for events, they should sell their apartment to people who understand the big picture. I would LOVE to live there.

[@katharinatrub1338]

Oh Wow! very anxious to see this episode unfold!

[@kathleenmurphy6009]

Glad to see the practical residents won out and they are now running a successful events operation. Hopefully the stinkers left so that the future can be more secure.

[@Lisboooa]

These people… the level of selfishness. Come on how bad can it be 12 marriages in a freaking year? Eviction it is and will be on you entirely They want to live like aristocracy but can’t afford it 😂

[@mujkocka]

Love seeing the kitties

[@ivorytower99]

*The service fees should be based on square footage! Once a month weddings (12 in a year) should-not be such a "bother"--especially when you are already living with 37 people under one roof!*

[@jwiki1]

I find that this is an easy solution. Tell the residents this is what is going to happen and either get used to it or eviction it is!

[@ericab845]

the guy with the blue eyes could be a double for actor Alan Williams played the alcoholic tutor in The Crown

[@ellee2937]

i guess they call this solitude Cos they alone cant buy such a huge mansion place and ground for £285k so its a compromise really actually this is no different from Living in an apartment cos still have to live with lots of People in the same abode but at least apartment small but have own privacy & not have to worry about the common areas falling apart cos there’s a managing agent to handle stuff like that

[@itsjustme7487]

As someone who has lived in Condominiums for the last 30+ years, I can understand the frustration of everyone paying the same amount for the monthly fees.. I've had neighbors who had 4 children in their 2 bedroom units and one neighbor and her husband had their daughter, son in law and their two children in a 2 bedroom unit. I resented paying for their gas and water usage. People should be very careful when choosing communal living.

[@thedevilandhertrumpets4268]

Set up a cat cafe with all those lovely purr babies roaming around.

[@creolelady182]

Never live with anyone or buy a property with anyone

[@JasonScott604]

Right. This situation sounds like a nightmare to me lol I’ll stick to my small house

[@busterbiloxi3833]

Solitude? That's the solution for 37 people who live in the same place?

[@ellee2937]

@@busterbiloxi3833 yes ironic isnt it? 😝 i guess Cos they alone cant buy such a huge mansion place and ground for £285k so its a compromise actually this is no different from Living in an apartment but at least apartment small but have own privacy to worry about the common areas falling apart

[@sandym8787]

@@JasonScott604 Same !

[@karenjardine2073]

We have condominium ownership here in Canada. This is a condominium- individual ownership of a unit only, with a shared responsibility in the common areas. A monthly condo fee, based mainly on SIZE (please use an engineer to figure out the fee, size to be FAIR to all), covers ALL utilities, costs etc, as well as a reserve budget for planned repairs. The monthly fee also goes UP by the cost of living each year, usually in the 3% per year, though can be adjusted upwards when things go up ( like energy costs, recycling, repairs, etc). We are mandated to have a 25 year reserve fund study and PLAN, to outline all the necessary repairs for the next 25 years. A Managment company manages the funds, there are budgets, financials, etc, independent of the condo board (usually up to a max of 7 people, but can vary on volume of apartments, this would be more like 3-4 members max). This board makes the decisions, the mgmt company advises and carries out the decisions. This should set up that every member must be in the board for a 2 year stint, and change up the stalemate of the board members that are so stuck and cannot change. They are so far behind, have not done the proper set up since 1977-they need to have drastic changes to even keep the lights on. Here we have ‘special assessments’ to catch up on a reserve fund & cover necessary costs to run and repair this spectacular place. This is a non functioning setup- those that do not want to get onboard should move elsewhere. They are running it like a poor government. When the lights go out, will they respond of live in darkness? I think this group would rather suffer than prosper. 😢 it’s quite sad

[@felinepsychosis]

The easiest thing would have been to increase the fees. Set a base fee and then surcharge based on square footage

[@joancollins522]

My goodness....not in a million years would I live in a place like that with a whole bunch of strangers....nobody to blame but themselves....Best of luck to any of them trying to sell their one little piece of a mansion like that which has so many others living there.....hope they have all the bin collection charges etc sorted out!...lol......my god....what a nightmare.....

[@twistoffate4791]

I could live there if I had made the decision to do so MUCH earlier in life. Now I am retired & set in my ways.

[@merryfergie]

Condominium living is quite common where i live

[@nychris2258]

You mean an apartment building or a condominium?? Haha.

[@ericab845]

Perhaps the Alan Rickman look alike could do a potions classes] local herbs and old time remedies for health concerns. He could dress as Snipe in conjunction with some local festival.

[@rafaeltorres4728]

Lovely as may seem, I rather have my own house and space.

[@twistoffate4791]

Same. I have a spare bedroom & a couple friends have inquired about renting it, and I tell them that the world and I are better off with me living alone, lol.

[@melodygreen5029]

NLP, I am betting that didn’t work.

[@terrytay1774]

These peop[e have no common sense!

[@greenwizzard6072]

It was such a good idea indeed but to make more surplus is a big concert with popular great musician, golf course, tennis or basketball event if you have a big landscaping. Plenty of ideas if you don't want to handle hire somebody to do it for you folks and hire a laborer on call twice a month. How about children playground, waterparks with plenty activities, and etc. Good Luck!

[@krisbaker9427]

Are there insects in England? In the US, keeping the tents clean and bug free would be a huge challenge.

[@patrice7p]

10:46 Ruth: I’m in favor of a despot taking over here .. 😁 me: brilliant! that is the solution in democracies without a clear common vision, strategy and thinking …if every member has his own small goals instead of aligning with a common goal and vision , it will all come crumbling down. I am curious how it all went with this beautiful house

[@wendymisirly5826]

The hippie are dying off

[@patobrien6364]

A camel 🐫 is a horse 🐎 designed by a committee

[@twistoffate4791]

I have heard that expression before and it really is perfect!! That is precisely the effect, lol.

[@busterbiloxi3833]

It looks like yoga is the solution for all of these stately home makeovers.

[@davidlynch9049]

I mean, look at that hall. Perfect for a large yoga studio. They are idiots.

[@laurahoward5426]

Fees have gone up to £2750....2 apartments for sale at £275,000 each

[@Celtic_Amy]

They were only making 12K a year on weddings?! £2,400 per wedding plus inflation would be £3,579 in 2022. Mapperton Estate (American Viscountess' estate) changed £4,750 during the winter of 2019. Mapperton should charge more for weddings that this estate, but they should have been charging at least £2800 per wedding.

[@nychris2258]

This place is awesome. I would live there in a heartbeat... but its absurd that the residents are only playing 1000 pounds per year in maintenance charges. Like any coop or condo the larger units should be paying more. I live in the largest unit in a prewar condominium and I happily pay the highest charges.

[@BetjeWolff-v2s]

It puzzles me...apparently there is nothing obligated by law..... I can't imagine this in The Netherlands. There has to be a Union of Owners organised in prescribed legal way yearly controled by an attorney, and a prescribed money reserve for maintenance.... A well, every country its own.... My impression is that several people are of the Hyacinth Bucket breed and want to hide that they live beyond their means.

[@samanthaabreu782]

I don't think they need a dictator, they just need acceptance that the things have changed and they need to adapt. There's nothing worse for people that live in quiet places than change, but change always come, either you are happy with it or not.

[@califdad4]

this is why condos have a homeowners association, a small group handles the issues, not everyone. they need to explain that they either do more wedding receptions as a venue or their "association " fees will double . Having a wedding or receptions in a large room in the building is or in the garden is not going to upset their lives much and cost them much less than raising the " owners fee's " but weddings are usually done on a Saturday, seems like this needs to be run like a Country Club

[@ericab845]

the fellow with the glasses could be a double for Alan Rickman

[@Nenaotero1]

We live in the smallest house on a community gated house and we have to pay same amount for everything and we are not allow to paint different color or do anything it has to be approved, even we have to paint the boxes mail, and people adoro this place because is the highest richest. We do have meetings and people don’t go I mean people like we that whatever we suggest it’s jus a protocol they do whatever they want. I Really can’t believe they rent the apartments o sold even worse and this people don’t pay maintenance, gates, guards, etc. Also each house pay their own insurance, taxes, bills water, phone lines, electricity, gas, gardener even do we pay for gardening maintenance, cable, well, I edit this to write more cause this hit impact to me never heard about this system.

[@skontheroad]

UPDATE (OCT. 2022)--They are still doing weddings! And there are 3 bedrooms for sale (should anyone share their "ethos"). I presume (hope!) that in the meantime, they have atleast divided up the share of costs and utilities from the 3 flats for sale. Which are vastly different in size and cost (said the agents who priced them, not me!), evenly, until they can, eventually, sell them! Democracy, my....! (Even Liz Truss barely made it 6 weeks before Boris showed up again!)

[@janeingram7331]

£4,000 for a wedding would equal a "football wedding" in the US, which just serving sandwiches. I don't think most people plan that way. I feel like I'm watching a program from the 1950s.

[@davidlynch9049]

No, that is their profit, not the cost of holding it. So, the wedding can be as grand as you want, the house charges accordingly, and that is the minimum profit. I would have made it 5000 profit.

[@andrewsartduchy7721]

Interesting episode with all the different voices to consider over just one family, no easy solution either, I certainly wouldn’t want to live in a full time wedding venue

[@AndreDMalan1966]

42000 upkeep per year? That's 1000 per person...

[@WeSombreGhosts]

U Wouldn’t wanna fall out with your Neighbours in this place would get very frosty very quickly I’d suspect🥶

[@MissX905]

OMG the place is literally falling around them and they just want their quiet little lives! What a waste of a beautiful building and grounds. A lot of potential for money to be made.

[@skerriesrockart]

Looks like the whole board have resigned!

[@sonaterese799]

What a waste of Ruths time these people are

[@atodaso1668]

All that from vinegar!

[@BetjeWolff-v2s]

Thought the same, intriges me .... was he the first to invent it and had the patent ? Vinegar is the cheapest product ever.

[@atodaso1668]

I think it was more of a coca cola deal, name recognition @@BetjeWolff-v2s

[@esthermedici6931]

They need to increase each shares from $1000 to $1500.

[@davidlynch9049]

No, they need to work out who should pay what based on the square footage.

[@Luna.3.3.3]

What a shame. The whole thing was somewhat ill conceived from the beginning. It should've been run similar to how condos do, here in Ontario, Canada. There should've have always been a 'reserve fund' and an 'operating fund'. Reserve is what is tucked away for major replacements & "common areas". The schedule is determined by an engineer (& it cannot be dipped into for other things). The 'operating' is basically like a chequing account for everyday running. (I know this because I'm a condo manager) The idea that everyone pays the same, regardless of size is _Madddnesss!!!!_

[@mujkocka]

They can’t afford that sort of arrangement.

[@BradleyMcCallum-bf9lo]

I would posit that the reason this proper way of setting things up was not followed as this was not marketable, as the operating and capital expense funds would have demanded too much money in monthly maintenance for folks to buy into. So, they are not in this situation, having bought into something too good to be true.

[@monicdavis6150]

Beautiful

[@AndreDMalan1966]

And still no wedding planner...

[@ML-yn1zz]

I don’t know how Ruth remains call. These people need a dose of reality. Make money or live in a tip.

[@twistoffate4791]

Well, lol, when Ruth wished for a "despot" to show up, we knew she was losing patience with these folks, as anyone would do.

[@taniagarciaduenas48]

Napolione lll his wealth was in grandeur everything he referred to in furniture he loved French luxury he created new style 😻

[@ericab845]

sheep shearing classes? they've got sheep and it could be a training place for shearers.

[@pollutingpenguin2146]

These people are unbearable and they deserve to have the place fail and being evicted or having the place falling down around them.

[@ericab845]

gosh if they don't want nice quiet yoga what will they want????

[@wendymisirly5826]

Still open and apartments for sale

[@thomasewing2656]

We want all the perks and no setbacks. We want to look rich without paying for it. The house isn't falling apart, that's character! We won't live long enough; let it be someone else's problem. Even though there's 40 of you, there's not enough wealth among you all to justify setting foot on the estate, let alone LIVE there! Shame.

[@littlebrookreader949]

“Too many chiefs, not enough Indians”.

[@pso4686]

You can’t please everybody.

[@BA-ef4pr]

Seems like they want the mansion livelihood without responsibility.

[@myke29]

Having open ended 'tents' like that would be terrible. Mosquitoes and sandflies etc would just come in and eat you alive at night time. Not to mention wildlife...

[@mujkocka]

There is no mosquitoes in that part of uk yet. But there are other things …

[@busterbiloxi3833]

The Neuro-Linguist-Poofery is charlatinism, but if it makes money...

[@niviamaeva]

What ?

[@mangoyacho]

[@candacedandrea5677]

Just increase their monthly fee

[@mountbeckworth1]

Richard Chapman...god help us.

[@laurahoward5426]

All these shows are so similar...maybe the houses themselves weigh them down....unable to push forward

[@mangoyacho]

Good observation. The mansions seem to weight them down indeed. Perhaps the mansions could easily be managed during the era of explorers and merchants who travelled to far away lands and brought back treasures that could enable them to employ cheap labour. Unfortunately modern times call for less oupulance and strict labour laws - chamber maids to maintain the parlors are no more!.

[@littlebrookreader949]

I believe this is the single most disappointing one yet. It looks like they wasted Ruth’s time. Unreal.

[@marlaabe7254]

Okay, you contribute a lot more than 1000 pounds a year or let the building make money. Privacy is a luxury that you may not be able to afford.

[@skontheroad]

The joke is that these are the most selfish group of people who don't want to have to dig into their own pockets, or even their own peace and quiet, in order to help maintain their own investment. Yes, I used a dirty, commercial word! In 1977, the group (who fell out over bathrooms) themselves created the original corporation. Or some of them did, at least (that is how they put it in the show). And that investment is their home! They don't seem to understand the true meaning of the term "co-op" (or cond-op). At a certain point, after they selfishly sold off every space and building where they could have created a business that would have helped pay off the building fees, everyone has to give in order to get. And now it is their own fault that they have to use their own space! And complaining about it, again, just shows how selfish they are! And don't be fooled and think it is because of their age! Yes, that just makes it worse, but it started back in the 70's. There is a reason it was a fad!

[@stephendennis5969]

Hopefully they got these hippies out of this house before they destroyed it.

[@Hamartias_hound]

Sorry but yoga isn't calm enough for them? It's yoga!

[@lauraburgess4287]

She’s disgusting 🤢 saying she wants to hack steaks off of live beast.- evil

[@tyeteames7192]

Steakhouse anyone!

[@tyeteames7192]

Medium Rare, please😮

[@Ida-fz3ir]

the bigger the community, the more it needs structure and organization! Why they don't vote for a tiny group, who only has to care about the building...another for finances...another for their social being... ...? There is no plan for nothing, and one can force theother by blocking...you can watch always same procedures in each community of the world...since beginning! GREEN idio-logics, even in 'democrathy', are lost!

[@IwasBlueb4]

I do not like how Ruth dresses... However, I do find that her face looks very attractive, in this episode ...Perhaps, because she is smiling and being ladylike

[@reneshay889]

Well, mercy, be sure to tell her you don't like the way she dresses. I'm sure she would change her wardrobe. 😂