Buying a house with annex and two kitchens

Andorin

Hi,

I've made an offer on a house with an annex which has it's own kitchen. The annex is a side extension of the house, with a door connecting it inside the main house. The whole house is under one title deed with the planning permission making it clear that the extension can never be made into a seperate property.

The house is great value for what it is, and I'd love to get it on that basis alone. But it would also be great to be able to rent out the annex, however, the impression I get is that no bank is going to roll with that.

Does anyone have any advice on how this could be made to work?

Are there are banks that are more easy going on annexes? Would smashing out the second kitchen help? Would you just go ahead and get the survey done and sign a contract saying you wouldn't rent out the annex?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Dave_the_Ginger_Cat

Most residential lenders will make it a condition either before or immediately after completion that you remove the second kitchen and are relatively unwilling to allow the annexe to be let.

I think you might be best with a lender who is willing to do semi-commercial deals - there are lots of brokers on here (I'~m a lender and don't do these) who should be well placed to advise

Itismehonest

As said you probably won't get a mortgage. It could be classed as a mixed use (residential & commercial) property.
We have a property with an annexe. All utilities, access etc. coming via the main house. The annexe is classed as our 2nd home.
The only way we can sell it is to a cash buyer or rip out the annexe which would put us on the wrong side of planning apparently.
Ridiculous situation but that's how it is.

MallyGirl

I never realised this might be an issue. We had a building at the bottom of the garden that I converted into a home office - but in such a way as it would make a great granny annexe in the future. It has ensuite bedroom, kitchen and 1 main room.
We didn't need planning as the council had already classified it as an extension of our living space and we are not allowed to let if out. Not sure if we have just put a millstone round our necks if we ever want to sell - I thought granny annexes were reasonably common

Itismehonest

MallyGirl wrote: »

I never realised this might be an issue. We had a building at the bottom of the garden that I converted into a home office - but in such a way as it would make a great granny annexe in the future. It has ensuite bedroom, kitchen and 1 main room.
We didn't need planning as the council had already classified it as an extension of our living space and we are not allowed to let if out. Not sure if we have just put a millstone round our necks if we ever want to sell - I thought granny annexes were reasonably common

I think you may need to rip out the kitchen at least before selling up
I know of a similar property to yours near me which converted a detached garage for the parents of the home owners. The planning was very specific in it being allowed sleeping accommodation (an extension of accommodation) but no means of cooking (which would make it an annexe).
The cooking facility & ensuite make it a stand alone property & mean it can also be charged separate Council Tax.

MallyGirl

we didn't need planning permission so there was no opportunity for such a stipulation.
We have a letter from the council which says 'as the coach house is ancillary to the main dwelling planning consent for this proposal is not required provided that the conversion is used by a relative and is not sub-let'.
The proposal title is 'proposed conversion of coach house to a granny annexe' and it further says 'proposal to convert the coach house in the garden into living accommodation for your father'.
I would expect living accommodation to include a kitchen but it doesn't state one way or another.
Apols to OP - I seem to have hijacked your thread. I might start a new one

Andorin

Getting back on track...

If any brokers are reading this it would be great to hear your thoughts (and if you think you can help PM me and maybe I could take you on as a paid broker).