Garage - change of use of Taylor Wimpey home

NeilCr

Doozergirl wrote: »

I certainly cannot guarantee it. I think it would depend on how your neighbours (present and future) feel about it. I have a friend who runs a nail business and she has a neighbour who thinks it is their job to uphold the integrity of the neighbourhood by keeping riff raft such as the occasional 'ladies what lunch' away from the development. In her position I'd happily risk it and wait for a letter to drop, but she's risk averse and the business came a long time after the house.

I think you need to think very carefully indeed if you are reliant on this to make your living.

This really.

Given the fact that the covenant is ongoing you are always going to be running the risk of neighbours, current or future, raising the issue. And TW may sell the freehold on - either to another company or the residents who may have a different view.

As a director of the estate a nail business wouldn't bother me - unless it was impacting on the estate in some way - parking, maybe. But we would have a problem if the neighbour Doozergirl mentions complained formally to us that a covenant was being broken. And, as I said before, if you let one go then you open the gates to others who could cause wider issues (like the childminder I referred to earlier).

What I don't know, as we have never had to do it, is how we'd go about enforcing a covenant. I hope I never find out!

ETA.

As I'm snowed in had a read through. Looks like we can get an injunction to stop a business (assuming it hasn't been running too long). In your case OP it's pretty likely that the neighbours will have an idea of what you are doing by the work on the garage. If they do and don't want it to happen I'd guess that they could put pressure on TW to get an injunction.

Someone may well correct me on this!

ceecee1

You also need to be aware that you may need to pay the Freeholders for permission to change use of the garage (or any part of the house). Some Freeholders demand payment for change of flooring in your own property and for having a pet.
You need to google 'national leasehold scandal'

AdrianC

Hyperbole helps nobody.

ceecee1 wrote: »

Some Freeholders demand payment for change of flooring in your own property and for having a pet.

They may be issues in a flat, but not in a freehold house.

You need to google 'national leasehold scandal'

Which is about rapidly-increasing ground rents.

markyyyyyy

plenty to think about

I think i am going to get the solicitors to confirm whether or not i can actually run a business from the property. Would i have to pay for searches to make this apparent?

I have downloaded the land registry document and can't see any indication on there that i can't do it, however, as many of you have said, and also the agent on the phone, If the answer is no, then i think i would have to pull out of the purchase, as it will be the biggest gamble of all, ultimately one that could backfire.

thanks

Doozergirl

markyyyyyy wrote: »

plenty to think about

I think i am going to get the solicitors to confirm whether or not i can actually run a business from the property. Would i have to pay for searches to make this apparent?

I have downloaded the land registry document and can't see any indication on there that i can't do it, however, as many of you have said, and also the agent on the phone, If the answer is no, then i think i would have to pull out of the purchase, as it will be the biggest gamble of all, ultimately one that could backfire.

thanks

No, you don't need searches. Start with that. It really should be in the title register, there's nowhere else for it to be, but I'm not a solicitor so they will obviously help you if no one else here is forthcoming. Perhaps there just isn't one - that's normal too!

The planning issue is a separate one but if you have three parking spaces I suspect that there is no planning restriction on the garage being converted. That can be checked by you with a phone call.

Doozergirl

NeilCr wrote: »

People can be unpredictable about covenants and, by converting the garage, you are drawing attention to your business. If I'm honest you'd have a better chance doing it from the house (not that I think that would be a great idea)

I completely agree! It's the combination of conversion and visitors that will set off the green eyed monsters!

ashe

Have a look at the street on google maps and see if any business names show up - gives you a rough idea of anyone else that may be running a business from home in the area.

EachPenny

Parking is likely to be an issue. Modern developments are not over provided with parking space, and as soon as the first client parks on the road outside someone else's house there will be a neighbour with a grudge and sooner or later someone will be on to the Council.

If the planning consent for the house specified a number of parking spaces then you need to continue to provide them to comply with the planning conditions. If the garage is counted as one required space, then converting it risks a breach of planning law. That, ultimately, can result in you being fined and in extreme cases having a holiday in the local HMP.

You'll also need to look into issues like building regulations and find out the requirements for your business - such as accessibility and welfare facilities. For example you may be expected to provide a toilet which is accessible for people with disabilities.

The other thing to look into is what the local regulations are in relation to licencing and inspection. Also bear in mind that whilst the service you want to offer is sporting related, premises being used for "massage" also include some types that raise eyebrows.... so don't count on being able to quietly get on with your business without the necessary permissions and not to have neighbours/council officials/police etc enquiring about what it is you are doing.

ceecee1

AdrianC wrote: »

Hyperbole helps nobody.


They may be issues in a flat, but not in a freehold house.


Which is about rapidly-increasing ground rents.

Just one example of freeholder fees - a garage conversion comes in at £1440

https://www.homegroundonline.com/media/5881/alterations_request_form.pdf?fref=gc&dti=786983251448976

NeilCr

ceecee1 wrote: »

Just one example of freeholder fees - a garage conversion comes in at £1440

https://www.homegroundonline.com/media/5881/alterations_request_form.pdf?fref=gc&dti=786983251448976

But that's a form for leaseholders to complete.

This conversation is about a freehold house with (possibly) covenants.