Boarding loft increase Flat valuation?

davidmcn

It won't add value. Get it done properly if you want to add value (or at least check how much you're actually saving by not getting it done properly

summerholiday

My immediate neighbour is and has been developing the loft space in a freehold house to become a habitable room/study/3rd bedroom. It is being built-out to a very high standard and has taken lots of work and much wood and sawing.

The main diffficulty is the staircase planned to be constructed into the loft space from the existing landing had to be moved and altered from the original plans, due the unforeseen regulations in respect of the head space leading up into the area to the roof space; this had not been anticipated as becoming a problem previously but the council and building regulations decreed this change.

Eventually a new staircase was erected via a the second bedroom (this takes up quite a bit of space) and the rules governing adherence to building regulations strict.

My opinion is that if your property is located in a very desirable area, and the property is of a high level of construction, or ...... one which is due to lack of many in the desirable area, interesting for buyers ........ ask yourself what made you want to live there, and that leaseholds and flats being more expensive for their owners longterm and the fact that if there may be no lift installed, (less marketable)?

The addition of an extra habitable room which is then detailed on the deeds will increase its longterm future value. So if the space is average and out of town and of no architectural value its not worth the effort - except that is to you personally.

Simple Insulation, Boarding, Electrics and lighting, quality Velux windows and a decent staircase/steps are worth it longterm as I have found. Consider though that lofts are quite draughty if not fully boarded out as you alluded to.

G_M

You want a study.

You want to increase property value.

So do it properly. Get Building Regulations sign-off.

You've said you would do it to the 'highest standards' so BRs sign-off won't involve extra work anyway will it?

(or perhaps you don't intend the 'highest standards).

Running_Horse

A bodge job will put people off and reduce the value of your flat.

fairy_lights

For people who just want a bog standard loft for storage, boarding it won't make a difference. And for people who might want to use it as an office, wouldn't the lack of windows be off-putting? To me a windowless loft is always a loft, for it to be a room it would need a window at least.

DRP

i reckon it may be attractive to people but it can't increase the value significantly as won't be considered by mortgage valuation surveyor.

i.e. it may be considered useful to some, but doesn't actually add a room.

N1AK

Riddar wrote: »

Would it still be considered a loft conversion though since all I would be doing is boarding the floor and ceiling and adding electrics? no "Major" works would need to be carried out (i think?)... I'd understand if I was asking to put a window in but what I'm hoping to do is all very basic.

Major building work would likely require planning permission. Converting a loft into a room requires building regs approval. They are different things. Planning permission is authorisation to do something the council can object to. Building regs approval is sign off that what you're doing is safe and fits the rules.

My uncle has converted his loft into a de-facto office without building regs approval. He's hedged a bit by not having fixed wiring (they run a cable into the room when in use) and having pull down stairs. It does however mean that no estate agent would agree to market the property as having an additional room, and it could cause him headaches when selling if the mortgage lender thinks it's an unapproved conversion.

Pixie5740

I've seen a few properties for sale that have had these hooky loft conversions i.e. the loft floor has been boarded and the loft is being used as a bedroom, study, etc but it's not a proper conversion done to building regulations then I wouldn't pay any more for it.

Unless by "done to a high standard" you mean done to building regulations I don't think it will add any value to your property. If it's not a proper conversion estate agents couldn't market the loft as a room and mortgage lenders won't count it as a room so why would anyone pay more for it?

ACG

Im not sure it would add value, surveyors are very keen to not add value on loft conversions where it is not an extra room.

It might increase demand however as people will possibly use it as an office/storage room etc.

Gordon_Hose

It won't add any value whatsoever.

I've kitted my loft out to be my office.

The house was sold to us as 3 bedroom, not 4, or "with converted loft". The loft was already boarded as the owners previous to the people we bought it off used it as a hobby room for his train sets. It has a Velux, light, power etc. The people we bought the house from just used it to store load of junk.

All I did was paint and lay carpet tiles. then moved my desk, Playstation and TV up there. If we come to sell we can't list it as anything other than storage.