Loft Conversion in ex Local Authority house

kennywatson249

Good morning everyone,

First post in the forum after being a member for a while. Ive searched for threads on loft conversions but the threads didnt throw up any answers.

I have the 'upper cottage' of an ex local authority 4 in a block house. My house and 1 other are owned the other 2 are council owned still. Id like to convert the loft into a 3rd bedroom, not looking to put in dormer windows as I dont thi k that will require planning . . Normally. With it being a local authority building would I still need planning permission for only internally modified loft conversion?

Another one, this sounds ridiculous but im sure somebody said to me that any additional value added to the property with such a conversion would need to be shared? Sounds mental, im sure it was a bloody taxi driver that hit me with that lol

Any advice would be much appreciated

Kenny Watson

mr-angry

Based on what you describe suggests that the roof space is a common area with title shared between owners therefore its may not be yours to convert.

macman

Whether it's LA owned or not has no bearing on whether PP is needed. A loft conversion needs Building Regs approval and possibly planning permission. A dormer may be required to make it habitable living space.
You will certainly need the permission of the freeholder to do such a conversion, as the loft space is not exclusively yours, and if so they may well charge you for this or refuse it.
I would imagine that if the loft runs over the other upstairs flat, there is no chance of gaining such permission.

kennywatson249

The loft is separate from the other upper flat. Hmm never thought of it being shared with the person below, had the house 5 years n only ever had my stuff in it, access is only though my house to it. Seems a little odd, will need approach the LA and see if I can get some pointers.

macman

The fact that the only access to it is through your flat doesn't give you any exclusive rights to use it. I didn't suggest that it was shared with the person below-I said that it will probably be the property of the freeholder, along with the roof above it and the exterior walls of the whole building. Your lease should explain what is what.
I'm assuming that you don't own a share of the freehold, in which case you'll need the permission of the other freeholders?

kennywatson249

Im not sure about owning a share of the freehold, I must admit I dont know the ins and outs of it but it is mortgaged if that makes a difference (doubtful).

macman

No, a mortgage has absolutely nothing to do with the freehold ownership.
You own a leasehold flat, so do you pay ground rent to the freeholder, or do you own a share of the freehold along with the other leaseholders?
You must know the basis on which you purchased the property?

the_matrix

You can't convert and claim ownership.

But you can convert, pay for everything and let everyone use it.

macman

the_matrix wrote: »

You can't convert and claim ownership.

But you can convert, pay for everything and let everyone use it.

No you can't, because the loft does not belong to the OP.

ds1980

He can do whatever he wants. Whether he's allowed, who it affects and what implications it will have is anyone's guess. I say let him crack on!

macman

Brilliant idea-the property will then be unsellable in due course, and the OP will have to bear the cost of restitution.
I don't think you'd offer that advice if you were his neighbour...