Is it possible to have a lodger in a self-contained annexe?

lincroft1710

It is not a matter of "enforcement", it may be that neither council nor Valuation Office Agency are aware of annexe.

AnthonyHk

Hi,

Can anyone help me on the rules for this? I'm considering buying a property that has an aatached granny annexe with the planning condition that it should only be used ancillary to the main house. There is a door linking the main house (which could be locked) and the annexe has an outside door that a potential tenant or lodger could use to come and go. Would I be allowed to rent out the annexe as far as the planning condition is concerned as there is this connecting door and treat them as a lodger or do I need to treat them as a tenant with the appropriate agreements? There is no separate council tax band but it was the current owners who built the annexe so I'm guessing the valuation office may change this once the property is sold. I'm happy to have a weekly cleaner and regularly check smoke alarms if this helps as this I think would avoid exclusive occupation.

Many thanks in advance.

BitterAndTwisted

Nope, hiring cleaner and checking the fire-alarms would not mean you are preventing anyone renting it from having exclusive occupation. Presumably there are no shared facilities between the two parts of the property like a kitchen or bathroom. If not, legally, any occupant would be a tenant (with security of tenure) rather than a lodger (with none).

Dinah93

I would strongly advise contacting your planning department and asking them as granny annexes are usually required to be ancilliary ie to require the use of the main house also ie for a full kitchen, washing machine etc. By renting it seperately you could be opening yourself up to enforcement action so I would certainly contact them in advance.