Turning a studio into a 1 bed

HappyMJ

Stud walls are very easy to remove so I'd just go for it without asking for permission.

ruelle

HappyMJ wrote: »

Stud walls are very easy to remove so I'd just go for it without asking for permission.

Ha, that was the answer I was looking for

eddddy

ruelle wrote: »

sorry missed this post. they want £500 just to look into it!

If it's just a case of the freeholder looking at your plans, and writing a letter to say "ok" - the fee should be £100 or less.

If the freeholder decides a surveyor (or some other professional) needs to look at it, you would have to pay their fees as well.

You can ask the freeholder what precisely they will be doing for £500. If the fee is unreasonable, you can challenge it - see: http://www.lease-advice.org/faq/what-can-i-do-if-i-disagree-with-an-administration-charge/

But it's up to you whether you think it's worth the hassle etc.

But... a potential problem here is that you're changing the floor layout, so the freeholder may want floor plans in the lease changed. (i.e. a lease variation). That might result in quite high solicitor's fees.

marksoton

HappyMJ wrote: »

Stud walls are very easy to remove so I'd just go for it without asking for permission.

Op has already sort permission though....

ruelle

oh, i see. i thought they would charge me extra (more than £100) as a fee to put the wall up on top of £500 as i've read of people being charged thousands for alterations. is that not the case?

eddddy

ruelle wrote: »

oh, i see. i thought they would charge me extra (more than £100) as a fee to put the wall up on top of £500 as i've read of people being charged thousands for alterations. is that not the case?

No - they can't charge you thousands for no reason.

Maybe you've been reading about loft conversions. They can cost thousands because the leaseholder usually doesn't 'own' the loft - so they have to 'buy' it from the freeholder before they can convert it.

lincroft1710

Another thing to consider is electrics. Will the "bedroom" need to be wired for electric light, will it have a power point? Is there natural light?

Also will you end up with 2 cramped rooms.

ruelle

lincroft1710 wrote: »

Another thing to consider is electrics. Will the "bedroom" need to be wired for electric light, will it have a power point? Is there natural light?

Also will you end up with 2 cramped rooms.

it has its own light and there's a window. the flat has the same layout as a 1 bed - all that's missing is the wall!

kinger101

Something like this might be simpler;

http://www.diy.com/departments/karalis-room-divider/1012710_BQ.prd

lovehackney

Those are definitely bedroom sizes not whole home sizes - a whole home for one person could not be only 6.5 square metres!!