Buying other side of semi detached house

Strapped

We looked into this recently, intending to create a downstairs annexe for my mother in the short term, and eventually recombine the whole lot. I say recombine because it was originally one cottage, and would be reasonably easy to do (we get on well with the neighbour and have had a good poke about from both sides of the divide lol) but the finances are stacked against it - it would be so much cheaper to just move, but I do know what you mean about wanting to stay in an area especially if it's somewhere where big houses don't come up too often.

never_enough

A friend was looking into doing this, rather than leaving the house she's just spent getting just right for her family. It didn't make sense financially, as she could buy a hugely better house (than the two knocked through could become) for much less money.

d10

Thanks for all your thoughts and input..certainly quite a few things to think about! Take care all!

Trillionaire

Someone in my family has done this, and, though I wouldn't tell them, imo it just doesn't work. It would have been simpler to add an extension

They can't afford to change the internal layout and move walls, and really it just wouldn't be worth it. Yes they have more space, but it is inconvenient space. Definately would have been cheaper to move or just add a two storey extension and do a loft conversion.

Doozergirl

Would you really want 4 reception rooms and six bedrooms or would you prefer bigger living areas?

You will immediately devalue the house by converting two into one and your mortgage lenders may take issue with it as your LTV will be affected the minute you knock through. Plus you will have to spend money on it unless you think living with two front doors is fine.

it's entirely possible that you wouldn't be given planning permission to turn it back to two houses - in my area you can't get planning permission for a new dwelling - even turning a house back into two. The house would be virtually impossible to sell on without converting back.

poet123

We considered this option too,as yet it has not become possible(95 yr old neighbour still going strong!!) but we had thought about making the 6 beds into 4,and knocking the 2 front rooms together to make a double fronted property. Likewise, with the dining rooms and converting the 2nd kitchen to utility room.We did not see the 2 staircases as an issue,and would have connected up the 2 houses on the landing upstairs.

If we could get it at the right price.(more probable inthis market)I think we would giveit a go. However,our need for a larger house diminishes as theyears go on,and so by the time the chance presents itself,we may not need the space.

In this area a good 4bed 2/3 bath 3/4 reception room property with a double size plot is very desirable.

Doozergirl

poet123 wrote: »

In this area a good 4bed 2/3 bath 3/4 reception room property with a double size plot is very desirable.

Not if it looks like two three-bed semis

poet123

Apparently, when our houses were designed they were intended to be one house,and a change in family circs meant that they ended up being split into 2. So we have no worries on that score. The two houses joined together would actually make an imposing single dwelling.

planning_officer

poppysarah wrote: »

Lots of complications and need permission from planning too I think to reduce two houses to one. In the same way as you'd need permission to turn it back into two.

Nope - as one of the posts above says, planning permission is not required to convert two houses into one, although it is required to convert one house into two.

planning_officer

vwornoutmum wrote: »

Think the rules on council tax are if there is access to both sides of the house through internal door it's one property so one council tax.

Council tax all depends on whether there is a kitchen and bathroom in each house - even if there is a connecting door internally, if both houses are capable are being lived in independently, then two lots of council tax will need to be paid (although the 'second home' may get a discount!).