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Home improvements help to buy

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Hi I want to convert my garage but I have used help to buy and I know they don’t allow it . What would happen if I just went and done it anyway ? 

Comments

  • jones1725 said:
    Hi I want to convert my garage but I have used help to buy and I know they don’t allow it . What would happen if I just went and done it anyway ? 
    They could recall your equity loan.
  • KLHughes
    KLHughes Posts: 68 Forumite
    10 Posts Name Dropper
    Hi, jones1725 said:
    Hi I want to convert my garage but I have used help to buy and I know they don’t allow it . What would happen if I just went and done it anyway ? 
    Hi, did you end up doing it?
  • 2bFrank
    2bFrank Posts: 363 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    You have to get permission to make the change, and it has to be reasonable. You couldn't use a help to buy loan then build another property on your land for example, but making reasonable alterations, they would usually approve. If you are converting your garage into an office, because you are now working from home a lot more, then I would say this would be reasonable and they should approve.

    If you did it anyway, then firstly they would have to find out, then they will recall the full amount of the loan.

    I would seek permission as I doubt they will refuse it, but as its a help to buy I presume that you have a new build, if that's the case, are you leasehold or freehold? if leasehold you need permission from the leaseholder as well, again they will be unlikely to refuse but expect to pay a pretty penny for the approval.
  • GDB2222
    GDB2222 Posts: 26,235 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Out of interest, if you add value to the property by doing this, does that increase the amount you owe on the HTB mortgage?
    No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?
  • Seashell517
    Seashell517 Posts: 275 Forumite
    Third Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 19 March 2021 at 11:39AM
    GDB2222 said:
    Out of interest, if you add value to the property by doing this, does that increase the amount you owe on the HTB mortgage?
    Yes. HTB is a % of the property value. But it doesn't effect things until you sell/repay the regular mortgage. Payments are a % of the original amount and don't 'pay off' the balance.
  • gkeic
    gkeic Posts: 7 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary First Post
    jones1725 said:
    Hi I want to convert my garage but I have used help to buy and I know they don’t allow it . What would happen if I just went and done it anyway ? 
    Hey was wondering if you did the garage conversion ? 
  • user1977
    user1977 Posts: 17,823 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Seventh Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    gkeic said:
    jones1725 said:
    Hi I want to convert my garage but I have used help to buy and I know they don’t allow it . What would happen if I just went and done it anyway ? 
    Hey was wondering if you did the garage conversion ? 
    You're asking someone who hasn't even been on the site since 5 years ago. If you have a question you're better to start your own thread rather than try resurrecting long-deceased posts.
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