We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Noobie converting and extending a Vic House into flats????

Mark300zx
Mark300zx Posts: 194 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
in House buying, renting & selling
Hi,

Apologies if this is in the wrong section?

I inherited a house a while ago and I wish to convert it two flats, one three bed and one two bed flat and extend the property as well.

First stage would be get plans drawn up, and getting planning permission, and really after any advice regarding that area please, costs etc.?
«13

Comments

  • agrinnall
    agrinnall Posts: 23,344 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Get a builder in (preferably more than one so you can compare estimates).
  • 100saving
    100saving Posts: 314 Forumite
    once you get permission think about putting it on the market. someone might just give you a good price as it has the permission.

    also i would think about 3 to 4 1 bed flats. people that want a 3 bed would go for a house not a flat?
    Age: 24 / London/Ireland / Salary €49,000 / 1 London BTL (8% yield) / Total savings pot £12k+
    Lloyds Club CA £5,000 @4% / FD Regular Saver £3,600 @6% (12 of 12) / TSB Classic CA £2,000 @5%
    Clydesdale Direct CA £1,000 @2% / Santander ISA £700 @0.5% / Premium Bonds - £100
    Halifax Reward CA (£5 per month) / Santander 1|2|3 CC (cashback)
  • Mark300zx
    Mark300zx Posts: 194 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thanks but the property is a keeper, and council would not allow conversion to 1 bed flats as it would not meet their minimum sizing for that type of conversion :)
  • Doozergirl
    Doozergirl Posts: 34,082 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Where is this property? London? That's your only market for a three bed and it's also the place likely to provide a decent return over renovating a house, although three beds won't give you as high a yield on your expenditure.

    Costs are high. Extensions in excess of £1000+VAT per metre and flats to convert, because they have to meet building regulations for new dwellings were in excess of £50,000 each when we did it over ten years ago.

    I've been there and got the t-shirt, so happy to help where I can, but I don't have a huge amount to go on, right now :)
    Everything that is supposed to be in heaven is already here on earth.
  • leveller2911
    leveller2911 Posts: 8,061 Forumite
    Mark300zx wrote: »
    Hi,


    I inherited a house a while ago and I wish to convert it two flats, one three bed and one two bed flat and extend the property as well.

    QUOTE]

    Criminal to turn a Victorian House into flats......

    Money must be your God........
  • Mark300zx
    Mark300zx Posts: 194 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Why is that?
  • Doozergirl
    Doozergirl Posts: 34,082 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Clearly, it's nice to retain original features and people value them. When you convert, you lose them entirely. Windows have to be replaced, the cornice is lost with insulation on outer walls and fire and sound boarding on the ceilings. Proportions are lost when you carve up rooms.

    The house we did was already hacked badly into one dingy flat and a dreary B&B. We restored the house next door even though it was riddled with dry rot (dodgy showers in the B&B again). It was stunning.
    Everything that is supposed to be in heaven is already here on earth.
  • leveller2911
    leveller2911 Posts: 8,061 Forumite
    Mark300zx wrote: »
    Why is that?

    With a Victorian House you could renovate it with original features and then live in it or sell it.

    Dividing it into flats is done purely to maximise profit and no other reason.

    It was built as a house and should remain a house but if money is your God then each to his/her own.
  • Mark300zx
    Mark300zx Posts: 194 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    leveller2911 wrote: »
    With a Victorian House you could renovate it with original features and then live in it or sell it.

    Dividing it into flats is done purely to maximise profit and no other reason.

    It was built as a house and should remain a house but if money is your God then each to his/her own.

    You can convert and retain original features, I could always retro fit the outside toilet for authenticity but I think people like to move on :)

    Maybe I have done an altruistic career and want to do this to secure a pension in my senior years, with flats you get a better cash flow than a house, but hey we can all come to rash judgements!

    Is money my God no, is it something to be respected and treated with care yes, welcome to Moneysavingexpert!
  • leveller2911
    leveller2911 Posts: 8,061 Forumite
    Mark300zx wrote: »
    You can convert and retain original features, I could always retro fit the outside toilet for authenticity but I think people like to move on :)

    Maybe I have done an altruistic career and want to do this to secure a pension in my senior years, with flats you get a better cash flow than a house, but hey we can all come to rash judgements!

    Is money my God no, is it something to be respected and treated with care yes, welcome to Moneysavingexpert!


    No offence, just spent my whole working life working on older houses and Listed properties and 98% of "developers" (I use this term loosely) haven't got a clue how to renovate a property and their entire focus is on making money.

    BTW you can't divide a house into flats and keep its character and anyone who tells you that you can will be a Philistine.
This discussion has been closed.
★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 353.1K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.8K Spending & Discounts
  • 246.2K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 602.4K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.9K Life & Family
  • 260.2K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.
Update Your Picture