Separating annex into separate property

megadishu

I am looking at buying a property and separating it's extension on the side.

The main house would be the same size as the other properties in the road and I know these properties well, including the property value ad rental income.

The single storey annex would be of a good size with a sitting room, bedroom, small galley kitchen (converted utility room) and shower room plus garden and parking.

The services are not separate and I am not sure the cost of making these independent. I would not have thought it would be horrendous but any ideas of complication s and costs would be appreciated. The gas separation and additonal boiler is an obvious cost, assuming it does not have a separate electricity consumer board plus water and drains.

The new separate property would have its own front door - existing back door.

I am consulting a solicitor on how complicated and costly legally it is
making a Separate property. Land registry plus of course having its own council tax.

All thoughts and ideas welcome!

Thank you

Sally

Annisele

Have you checked whether you'd need planning permission to separate them? I suspect you would, and that could be very hard to obtain.

Johnandabby

Planning permission must surely be required.

Also the separation into 2 dwellings also triggers insulation upgrade requirements under Part L2B of the Building Regulations, which could land you with window replacement costs and insulation works if you haven't investigated the issues.

Separating the electrical circuits and organising new gas, water, drainage & elec connections is going to be a pain in the a&$*... very much doubt that the extension would be separated for any of these services as wouldn't have been any need to.

And don't forget that you would also have to look at sound insulation between the two properties for compliance under Building Regs, and prevention of fire spread between the two.

I think you seriously need to talk to your local planning officer and bldg control department before even talking to your solicitor.

G_M

Recent discussion:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4537657

lincroft1710

You will probably find that the planning permission for the annex contains a clause preventing the sale of the annex separately from the main house.

McKneff

And 2 lots of council tax.

megadishu

It was built as an extension, not an annex. Has anybody done anything similar???

Itismehonest

Unless you are willing to remain responsible for most, if not all, of the utilities & services to the annexe then, even if allowed PP-wise, it would be a fairly expensive move, IMO.
Off the top of my head you need to consider what to do with the electricity, gas, water, sewage, plus pedestrian & vehicular access to front & rear.

We enquired about having a separate electricity meter put into a range of buildings on our property & were quoted over £1000 last year.

greenface

Done it split the deeds and sold both parts over 5 years apart. Was 4 bed 3 story . Seperated the back part (side entrance door) Insulation /fire. gas and electric done within a few weeks . One bedroom living room kitchen and bogroom. front still 3 beds. Was a while back now but nothings changed. Do it proper do it once get PP & Building regs sorted .