Can a neighbour convert a carport to a garage without planning permission?

replica1978

Hey there, I’m hoping someone can give me some advice.

I’m currently looking at buying a link detached property and as it stands the house is linked via a carport (roof only). I have heard horror stories about link detached properties that are linked via a full garage where neighbours end up using it as living quarters.

My question is, would it be possible for the house next door to enclose the carport and convert it into a full garage without my permission?

Thanks
Dave

System

He would possibbly need PP but he would never need YOUR permission

00ec25

I don't know if such a conversion would come under permitted development rights and thereofre not need planning persion but one thing is certain, you don't give permission, the council does !

You can object to the council and they may or may not uphold your objection.

Horror stories? Bit OTT! If you don't like the risk that someone may use a room adjoining your carport then buy somewhere else !

McKneff

OBviously you would be within your rights to object once planning permission was applied for.

replica1978

Thank you for your help. I was thinking he would technically need to attach extra items (bricks etc..) to the side my house so he would need permission.

I guess I’ll give link-detached properties a miss too then.

Thanks

holly_hobby

Yes of course planning permission would be reqd from the LA - whom will advise of and seek your comments, of which as correctly stated, you may object to the build.

H

MisterMotivated

replica1978 wrote: »

I have heard horror stories about link detached properties that are linked via a full garage where neighbours end up using it as living quarters.

If you don't mind me asking, what sort of horror stories exactly? Assuming you mean converting a garage into an extra room, I don't really see what the problem is.

Wobblydeb

I can understand what you mean - we have many streets around here where the houses are now effectively terraced because they have extended into/above the garage. Not a problem if you are accustomed to it, or by necessity are buying in an area where the houses are not genuinely detached or semi-detached.

As a buyer you have a choice, so if you don't like it, then yes, avoid link-detached. If what I am seeing here holds true elsewhere, people are continually extending and expanding their homes. It may well become a garage or living space at some point in the future.

Wobblydeb

replica1978 wrote: »

Thank you for your help. I was thinking he would technically need to attach extra items (bricks etc..) to the side my house so he would need permission.

That enters into the whole realm of party-wall agreements. Again, you don't have an absolute right of rejection for work on a shared wall.

replica1978

MisterMotivated wrote: »

If you don't mind me asking, what sort of horror stories exactly? Assuming you mean converting a garage into an extra room, I don't really see what the problem is.

One on my friends had a neighbour who liked rebuilding car engines and every weekend they had noise in the attached garage all day.

I also googled link detached vs detached and came up with the following link which has a few other stories.

forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=2142679

I’m just a bit nervous as my first house we ended up living next to a professional debt collector (the dodgy kind) who used to be in and out all night slamming doors then wanting to sleep during the day. He used to complain if we made any noise as he needed sleep and he wasn’t the type of person you would want to say anything too. It was a nightmare.

I guess my thinking was people are less likely to spend all day rebuilding engines :-) in a car port as opposed to a garage, especially in the winter. Hence my question.