Question regarding building at the bottom of the garden

andystephens

Hi,

I didnt know where to put this so apologies if its in the wrong place. My In laws have 100ft long garden, and have come up with an idea for me and the mrs to have our own space. They suggested that we build something at the bottom of the garden for us to live in until we save enough money to move out. How would this work? Can it be done or any loopholes which may help?

Just testing the water

Thanks

Kiran

It would depend on what you wanted to build, how big etc. Building a guest house at the bottom of the garden would probably be ok, building a seperate house which they would possibly want to sell off at a later date could be more difficult if you dont have access to the rear of the property.

More details required before anyone can give you an informed opinion.

andystephens

It would be just a small building with facilities for us, not for selling on or anything, just a place for me and the mrs to be away from the main house

Kiran

It would obviously be subject to planning so they would be your first port of call but I know people who have built signle storey structures with a bedroom, small kitchen and living room and an en suite, something along the lines of a holiday chalet. It was build for the kids who had grown up but not moved out and when they did it was turned into an office/workshop. If you work out rough dimensions then give your LA a call they will be able to point you in the right direction.

27col

Is there enough access to be able to put in a mobile home unit. It would probably work out cheaper than putting up a permanent building.

ormus

a used mobile home off a holiday park can be had for 500quid - 2k.
and you can crane it into position if access is a problem.

olias

The better quality chalet type garden buildings that B&Q etc do seem OK for about the £3-£4k mark (the ones that have seperate rooms for bedroom/bathroom etc). I expect if you go to a specialist you can probably get a far better quality one still for <£5k and it is something that the in laws would be able to use after you have gone. Also it would look nicer than a static caravan and more likely to get planning.

Don't forget though that plumbing in electric and sewerage might be pricey and would involve trenches being dug the length of the garden.

Olias

Avoriaz

Build a five bedroom two storey house and say that it is just a large Wendy House for the kids if anyone complains.

iamcornholio

A new building for habitation within the grounds of a property, would need to comply with lots of planning regulations as it would be treated as any other new building - access roads, parking, amentity space etc. There will also be separate water rates and community charge

For the proposal to work, this building would have to be intended to be a granny flat or the building must have an 'ancillary use' to the main house - eg a home for a gardener or maid who works at the main house. In these instances the planning pregualtions are less restrictive, and the building is more like an extension

The planners will most likely put a condition on any approval, to prevent the building being used to rent out or sold off separately to the main house, or any other purpose other than that approved. So if neighbours start seeing more cars or different people visiting, then there could be an issue

Owain_Moneysaver

Two issues - planning and building control.

Planning - if you are building a 'games room' etc then this may not need planning permission, if it falls within permitted development - i.e. size, distance to boundary, etc. If you are building a permanent structure you would be wise to still get a Certificate of Lawful Development for when you sell the house.

Caravans (including 'park homes' / mobile homes) don't count as buildings.

If you are building a self-contained dwelling, ie one with its own kitchen and bathroom, that does not rely on using amenities in the house, then that is a new build dwelling and will require PP. As well as the building itself you may need to show satisfactory access and parking arrangements.

Building regulations - if it's a permanent structure then you need to comply with Building Regulations. Wooden Huts from the DIY sheds won't comply. Park homes/caravans don't need to comply as they aren't classed as buildings, but this also means they don't have the same standards of eg insulation as proper buildings. Even if you use a caravan, plumbing it up to drains, power etc will need to comply with building Regs as they are classed as alterations to the house.

You can get 'proper' buildings in kit timber frame form, eg http://www.potton.co.uk/Zone or some of the Log Cabins manufacturers can build to either the British Standard for Mobile Homes or the Building Regulations.

In terms of value for money, temporary structures depreciate but buildings usually appreciate. Once you move out, would the in-laws be able to reuse the building themselves, let it out as holiday lets, or let it out to a tenant for income (that would need PP for separate dwelling)?

andystephens

Hi

We would be looking at a perm structure, and running utilities from the main house. We are not after anything big, just enough for us to be a bit independant.

Cheers