Converting a existing old 2 storey OUTBUILDING to 2 flats to rent out

royjones321

Hi I have a big 2 store outbuilding which is even bigger than my house itself. I want to rent it out as separate flats. If i did this with the lawful consent rule after 4 years , would it be a 4 year rule or a 10 years rule (as change of use is 10 years). Is converting a outbuilding to separate living dwelling change of use? surely its already classed residental?

davidmcn

It's residential in the sense of forming part of your existing residential property. You'll always need planning permission to create additional residential properties. Are you really planning to do the work and then just cross your fingers that nobody queries it?

royjones321

Doing bit of research Iv found its kind of impossible to get permission on outbuildings to rent as a separate dwelling. Very unlikely they will give it. So is it a 4 year or 10 year rule ?

eddddy

royjones321 wrote: »

Doing bit of research Iv found its kind of impossible to get permission on outbuildings to rent as a separate dwelling. Very unlikely they will give it. So is it a 4 year or 10 year rule ?

It's very difficult to do this kind of thing and get away with it. Some examples,

• If your tenants try to register on the electoral roll (because they want to vote, apply for a mobile phone contract, apply for credit etc), the council will cross check with the planning department, and you'll be found out.

• If your property is mortgaged and your flats are advertised on Rightmove... mortgage lenders can subscribe to a service where they get notified by a Rightmove partner if a mortgaged property is advertised to let

• If you grant, say, a 12 month AST and then the council serve an enforcement notice - you're stuffed.

• ... and the rent you earn can be confiscated under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

royjones321

Hmm your right but what about the answer to the question regarding change of use? How do I apply for this permission. Apparently my neighbors rented his out for several years

Doozergirl

Talk to your local council's planning department and raise your sights to ensuring that everyone enjoys a minimum standard of accommodation.

Dying to know how much you expect to spend on this conversion. Do you know what the Building Regulations expect of the quality of the fabric of the building?

Norman_Castle

Would it be easier to rent it for storage?

royjones321

The quality of the building is outstanding. Personally I would live it no problems. So we’re really doing the people who rent it out a disservice. Any tips ? It’s hard to find information online on outbuildings vs anexxe vs separate dwelling

Doozergirl

royjones321 wrote: »

The quality of the building is outstanding. Personally I would live it no problems. So we’re really doing the people who rent it out a disservice. Any tips ? It’s hard to find information online on outbuildings vs anexxe vs separate dwelling

You have to speak to your planning office because different authorities have different policies. You could google for your own council's local development plan.

This isn't about the current state of the building. If someone is living in it and it is converted to living accommodation (whether that be an annex or a separate dwelling) from an outbuilding it needs to meet current Building Regulations for a dwelling/dwellings. That means meeting regulations for insulation, detection and containment of fire along with appropriate escape routes, including window opening sizes for a start. It isn't a matter of a few stud walls and some kitchen units, it's considerable building work on the fabric of the building.

royjones321

So do you need permission to convert to outbuilding to anexxe? Or is a outbuilding automatically considered an anexxe as long as the same family use it ?

lincroft1710

You almost certainly need PP to convert an outbuilding to residential, whether it is an annex or standalone. You most definitely need to obtain building Regulations Consent