Building Vs Conversion (and how to do it) of a Brick Garage into a Granny Annex

JustJinny

I don't know if this is the right place to post - but I need some advice.

Basically I am 40yrs old, with no finances of my own, and I have many health complications, both mental and physical. I am my mother's Carer, but not claiming Carers Allowance due to my own Benefit Claim for the lowest rate of ESA. However, after my father turned violent to me in December 2015, I have to move out and be homeless. The Council are unable to assist immediately, due to my health conditions, and there being no housing stock, and the only suitable refuge unit, is well out of the area, when I really need to be in this area. So it's all a bit of a mess, and in the interim I shall be sofa surfing at friends places.

Now - down at the bottom of our Garden, we have a brick Garage, built in the 70s, with a flat roof. My mother has suggested that we convert it into a small Self contained living unit for me. She wants to add a roof, to create attic space for storage, and extend the back (which currently holds a decaying 6ft caravan, that is currently covered in a immense covering of ivy, and a small garden), to create extra living space. The walls will be fairly close to the Boundary lines of the property, so light may be an issue, but I am sure an Architect can resolve this matter.

We know nothing about building at all, and have no DIY skills...well.. I can paint really well. lol. - so I need advice, and a Architect, and such... and we really do need to spend as little as possible, while producing a fit for purpose investment, and new home for me. However, last night, a friend told me that I should consider knocking down the existing build and starting from scratch, because you don't pay VAT on it, so it might be cheaper in the long run. They also said that if my parents (both unwell and in their mid 70s) were to need a nursing home - that the Council could claim their private house, in lieu of fees, leaving my homeless again. So how can we protect, at least, that space. I keep telling them to give the main house to my Brother, as we have heard that if he is the owner for 7yrs, then the Council can't touch it?

Anyway - if anyone give me any advice about anything at all that might be useful to know, in such a project? Or any advice on maximising my savings in advance of works, or any Grants I may be eligible for. (I am currently unemployed, and receiving Employment Support Allowance. Both parents are retired pensioners), or basically anything to help me... that would be awesome.

Thanks in advance.

Lioness_Twinkletoes

So to clarify, you have no money, no experience and want to somehow build a house at the bottom of the garden (where, I am assuming, your violent father lives)?

Quite apart from planning issues there are no grants available to build a house (not even help as you've admitted no skills or money) or pay an architect for you.

If your father was violent two months ago why are you now only considering moving out?

It's all very odd.

davidmcn

Your violent father isn't happy with you living in the house, but would be fine with you living at the bottom of the garden (and presumably coming in every day to act as carer)?

[Deleted User]

Normally refuges actually recommend you live in another town etc to prevent a recurrence. Its not necessarily that no places are available.

As already mentioned, I am sorry but it seems to me you aren't thinking this through. There is nothing to stop your father being violent in the garden. Even if he couldn't get in, it would still be terrifying and stressful to have him making threats, shouting outside the property.

Have you received any advice on your ESA claim? Maybe you could appeal and be awarded more? Citizen's advice or a charity dealing with what conditions you have can be very helpful (after similiar advice my younger son's DLA claim went through and was awarded in 2 weeks whereas my older son's claim went to appeal - I had no help with this one - and took months). The same for my older son's ESA claim, he hasn't even been called in for an assessment, it was just granted although this could change at any point in time of course. Its the way you describe things, the words you use that makes the difference and how specific you are (my first application was a bit erm rambly lol).

I think you need to forget about being your mum's carer. She can get services in if she needs to. You have enough to deal with.

Consider the refuge offer.., even if its not in the same area. This could be a good thing. And they often offer help with legal advice, and you will get your own, safe, housing quicker.

The council may also be 'gatekeeping' telling you they can't help, hoping you will just go away. And well, you did. If you can fulfil the 'vulnerable adult' criteria, they have to help you. You will need to get any health professionals you see to write to them saying you need help with housing and you are vulnerable. This does help.

JustJinny

Lioness_Twinkletoes wrote: »

So to clarify, you have no money, no experience and want to somehow build a house at the bottom of the garden (where, I am assuming, your violent father lives)?

Quite apart from planning issues there are no grants available to build a house (not even help as you've admitted no skills or money) or pay an architect for you.

If your father was violent two months ago why are you now only considering moving out?

It's all very odd.

It might be odd to you, but you don't know the full story, and can never do so. I don't know why I'm explaining this to you - but I know how quickly a thread can get out of hand, after a post of such a nature... so here goes......He moved out to a hotel 4 weeks ago - just 6 minutes down the road, to allow me to pack and get out. I haven't seen or spoken to him, since. The Police are involved, as is the National Domestic Abuse Helpline.

Because of my particular health complications, it makes life very difficult. I have mobility issues, other rare health issues, and mental health issues. It was never going to be a case of pack up after 40yrs of being here, and walk out that instant. There are also a lot of psychological reasons, that I am battling with - such as being scared and alone, and penniless, when right now, my parents pay for my private medication that is not funded by the N.H.S. due to my conditions rarity, etc. If you want to know a little more why people find it hard to leave an abusive relationship - no matter the relationship - start reading testimonials on Narcissist Victims, and on Domestic Abuse Victims. I am glad (I pray to God that you haven't) that you appear to have never experienced such a life.

I am still packing, because in the interim, I have still have to assist my mother full time, and take her to medical appointments, as well as attend assessments for special housing, and my own medical appointments, etc. It takes a lot of time.

The bottom line is that to have a self contained unit in my area, of my own, is not going to happen any time soon, and the Council and my Doctors say living in a shared house is not suitable, due to chronic multiple allergies, where my environment must be strictly controlled in every way. So they are waiting for the right self contained place, single bed property, to become available, but there is no time deadline on that, and it will take longer, as they say that I can't go into a flat, with my regular hospital trips and mobility issues.

It would be my parents paying for the build, as I personally have no money, after years of giving every penny I ever had to them, but they are pensioners, so money is an issue, but my health needs would need to lead the design of the build, such as wheelchair access, and every room having panic buttons, in case of allergy attacks, or other health emergencies. It would mean I would likely be housed quicker, if we build ourselves, rather than wait for the Council.

The build would be entirely separate from the main house, and is about a minutes walk. My Father and I would not have to deal with each other, other than me getting through the house, to do what I need to do for mother, and if he went to attack me, then I could get away for a few hours to let him calm down, or in that case, I could call someone to help for the rest of that day - whereas right now - I can't get away from him in this overcrowded small house that they own completely. He refuses to point blank to care for my Mother or make sure she takes her medications, and she refuses social care, as they cannot provide enough hours for her needs.
_________________________________

I hope that addresses your concerns, and that we can return to the point of my original post, of wanting any advice at all on where, and how to start a project like this - and wanting to know if there were any cost saving steps I could talk that would help my family and I, in advance of, and during, the build.

JustJinny

davidmcn wrote: »

Your violent father isn't happy with you living in the house, but would be fine with you living at the bottom of the garden (and presumably coming in every day to act as carer)?

________________________________

Yes because he is lazy, and doesn't do a single thing in the house, and refuses to do any care for my mother. He got worse since years ago he had a heart attack, and decided that he needed to rest, just in case... unless its something he wants to do.

Think of the very old fashioned Victorian Man. They expected everything to be done for them, and children to be seen and not heard, and women are meant to be subservient and compliant, with meals ready on the table when he gets home. He often didn't get what he wanted!

Also, the average Victorian person "didn't do" Mental Health issues. And lately, because of a recent mental health trauma to me, that has left me mentally disabled, he now says that he is "bitterly ashamed of his !!!!!! daughter"...and my disabilities enrage him. He says seeing me when I have bad days and need help myself, angers him. It was during one of my needing help moments, that he started his violence. It interrupted his "leisure time" -which was him watching Neighbours, of all things! That's what we live with.

If I live close enough - I can come and go and care for my mother, without really having to interact with him at all. Because he usually is contained in one room, like a lodger, living his own life, with the door closed, doing his own thing.

Winter_Phoenix

JustJinny, I appreciate the extremely difficult situation you find yourself in, and I understand why converting the garage into separate accommodation is appealing.

But I just don't think it could possibly work, for all sorts of reasons. Planning permission alone would take months to come through - if it were granted at all, which seems highly unlikely. Architects charge vast sums. The garage almost certainly doesn't have suitable foundations, a damp-proof course, cavity walls, a water supply, a sewerage system, etc. etc. - all the things which would be needed to turn it into a home. A builder would probably recommend knocking it down and starting again.

If you are set on living in your parents' garden, then a caravan would be a better (and cheaper) option - but again, the council are unlikely to approve this, and if you do it without their permission, one of the neighbours might report it.

I'm sorry if this sounds negative, but there is just so much which you would need to learn, and do, to achieve your objective - and I really don't think that you have a cat's chance in Hades of succeeding. So it's better to accept this harsh fact right now!

Jackieboy

Wouldn't it be simpler just to rent a little flat nearby and claim HB?

JustJinny

deannatrois wrote: »

Normally refuges actually recommend you live in another town etc to prevent a recurrence. Its not necessarily that no places are available.

As already mentioned, I am sorry but it seems to me you aren't thinking this through. There is nothing to stop your father being violent in the garden. Even if he couldn't get in, it would still be terrifying and stressful to have him making threats, shouting outside the property.

Have you received any advice on your ESA claim? Maybe you could appeal and be awarded more? Citizen's advice or a charity dealing with what conditions you have can be very helpful (after similiar advice my younger son's DLA claim went through and was awarded in 2 weeks whereas my older son's claim went to appeal - I had no help with this one - and took months). The same for my older son's ESA claim, he hasn't even been called in for an assessment, it was just granted although this could change at any point in time of course. Its the way you describe things, the words you use that makes the difference and how specific you are (my first application was a bit erm rambly lol).

I think you need to forget about being your mum's carer. She can get services in if she needs to. You have enough to deal with.

Consider the refuge offer.., even if its not in the same area. This could be a good thing. And they often offer help with legal advice, and you will get your own, safe, housing quicker.

The council may also be 'gatekeeping' telling you they can't help, hoping you will just go away. And well, you did. If you can fulfil the 'vulnerable adult' criteria, they have to help you. You will need to get any health professionals you see to write to them saying you need help with housing and you are vulnerable. This does help.

___________________________________

I understand that - and they have explained this too, and understand my reasons for wanting to stay. All my specialist medical clinics are in the area, as well as my work, and this area is all I have known for 40yrs.

My mental health support clinician, has already said that I would be discharged if I cannot attend my appointment every week... as I will initially be moving about due to the lack of a fixed abode, we are currently in the "ending sessions" phase.... at a time when I could really do with the support! It took me many years of trying to get help in the first place, and this would have to all be started again, with no support in the interim. Good ole NHS Mental Health Services!

If I leave the area, I would lose touch with my local friends, my outside of home support network, my position with the Community Project I created, and potentially endanger my life, as there is one particular private hospital with a specialist unit, that I am rushed to frequently for treatment. Additionally, the cost of commuting to the specialist clinics I go to every other week for life saving treatment, would not be something I could afford, as I cannot drive.

You are right - there is nothing to stop my father being violent in the garden, but he has never in all his life, been violent outside of the house. He even attacks when he thinks no-one else is around. He only got caught because he didn't realise my Brother was home and heard me yelling at him to stop. He won't be doing any shouting outside the property. And if he does - I can just call the Police - but at least I would be able to lock the door and keep him away from me. Inside this house currently - that isn't possible.

I have made enquiry about my current ESA, and it's currently under review.... but there is an issue going-on that effects it, to do with my previous employment, that has been troublesome, that is all being handled legally at the moment, so I can't discuss it further. But hopefully that will have a resolve soon, and I will be allowed to have a regular claim of the correct amount.

"I think you need to forget about being your mum's carer. She can get services in if she needs to. You have enough to deal with." - agreed - but she isn't getting help, because they can only get here twice a day, and she needs more care than that. She cannot go into a Nursing Home as we couldn't afford it and the Council would take the house, meaning we would all be homeless anyway. lol

The refuge said they don't have a place suitable at the moment - but the units that are suitable aren't even in London, never mind in my area, and are hours away from the facilities I need immediate access too, in emergency. They said they know it's not suitable, but they could house me for up to 4 months, (providing I sign a disclaimer, in case I die!), but then if the Council still hadn't found housing, then I would basically have to find my own housing - or seriously risk my life in staying in a not suitable place. It's not really a good option. Although - if it comes to it - I won't actually have a choice but to leave my life here behind.... but it's certainly not suitable for the long term future, due to the health issues. Whereas if the parents would get a unit of my own built, I can stay with local understanding friends, with adapted houses, in the interim, until the build is complete.

"The council may also be 'gatekeeping' telling you they can't help, hoping you will just go away. And well, you did. If you can fulfil the 'vulnerable adult' criteria, they have to help you. You will need to get any health professionals you see to write to them saying you need help with housing and you are vulnerable. This does help. " :- I am classed as a vulnerable and at risk adult - but there is no housing available that would suit my specific needs currently, so I fall into a grey area - made more difficult because some of my conditions are rare, and aren't medically treated on the N.H.S. I have support from my GP, my private Doctors and hospitals, my Mental Health Officer, the Domestic Abuse Hotline, another Domestic Abuse help source, and a Social Worker, who also has my police reports..... but the Council don't have suitable housing stock.... and the places they would have offered not in London, but in Newcastle or Hull, isn't viable, by their own admission, due to the fact that it's so far away from my emergency specialist treatment units. My parents and their screwed up genetics, were prime examples of "just because you can breed, it doesn't mean you should" lol.

[Deleted User]

Its a bit of a leap.., but is there a 'stay at home' service in your council? I suspect they normally deal with small things that need to be done to keep a vulnerable person in their home (like hand rails, kitchen adjustments etc). But maybe they might know of the sort of grants.., people you could go to to get extra help? It might be a dead end, but it could be a route worth trying.

When I was in a homeless situation, I had to speak to so many people who couldn't help but eventually got there (with a lot of support from people on here).

Doozergirl

Permission for an annex to the house would be easier than a new dwelling.

Only a new dwelling is subject to zero VAT.

You could start with seeing if the local authority has a planning surgery where you can discuss plans with a planning officer.

Is there power down there? Water? How much do your parents expect to spend?