Buying a house linked by multiple garages

nadgobb

Hi everyone,
I wanted to ask for your opinion on several points related to buying a house linked by multiple garages.
In my case, I'm interested in buying a house which on one side is detached and the other side is linked with the next property via 4 garages (first one being the garage of this property in case). My questions are:
1. Is this house considered a link-detached house or detached?
2. In this case, are you aware if I will be able to extend over the garage, considering that the rest 3 garages might remain to the current state in terms of aspect/architectural design?
3. In terms of property value, will you consider a risk of depreciation by extending over the garage considering that the next owners are less likely to extend over their garages making the property semi-detached, as the garages are not linked directly to theirs houses (there are 4 garages in the middle linked to two houses in the extremities)?
Thank you!

greatcrested

1. link detached

2. subject to planing consent yes.

3. don't understand:

"the other side is linked with the next property via 4 garages"

"the garages are not linked directly to theirs houses"

But I don't see the risk of depreciation.

dimbo61

If you want to extend over your garage it could cause HUGE issues.
Garages do not have deep footing to support a second storey.
So you need to rip down your existing garage and dig down to the right depth to have new foundations.
Would you be building up against the garage which does not belong to you ?
How will you access the site.
Roof/gutters/soffits and fascia boards !

nadgobb

greatcrested said:

1. link detached

2. subject to planing consent yes.

3. don't understand:

"the other side is linked with the next property via 4 garages"

"the garages are not linked directly to theirs houses"

But I don't see the risk of depreciation.

Thank you!
Sorry regarding point 3, I wasn't clear enough.
I was just trying to emphasis that it is less likely that the next two garages after mine to extend over garage as well, considering that their houses are not linked or close to the garage, only the forth garage after mine is linked to a house.

nadgobb

dimbo61 said:

If you want to extend over your garage it could cause HUGE issues.
Garages do not have deep footing to support a second storey.
So you need to rip down your existing garage and dig down to the right depth to have new foundations.
Would you be building up against the garage which does not belong to you ?
How will you access the site.
Roof/gutters/soffits and fascia boards !

Thank you for your feedback!
I'll need to investigate on the garage foundation.
Regarding your first question:
This house is placed something like this: HGGGGH - where: H = house; G = garage; characters in bold = the property in case. So I was wondering if it's possible to extend over the G.
Regarding site access, good question! Not sure how, I suppose that will need to be discussed with the constructors, but I suppose that it will be enough space as the G can be accessed from the front and back.
Thanks.

Slithery

nadgobb said:

1. Is this house considered a link-detached house or detached?

Why does it matter what it's called? It makes absolutely no difference to the property. But I'd call it link-detached.

nadgobb said:

2. In this case, are you aware if I will be able to extend over the garage, considering that the rest 3 garages might remain to the current state in terms of aspect/architectural design?

That all depends on whether or not you get planning permission, but completely demolishing a garage to reconstruct deep enough foundations for a new 2 story building is probably a waste of money.

nadgobb said:

3. In terms of property value, will you consider a risk of depreciation by extending over the garage considering that the next owners are less likely to extend over their garages making the property semi-detached, as the garages are not linked directly to theirs houses (there are 4 garages in the middle linked to two houses in the extremities)?

I really can't understand what you're trying to ask. If you've already extended then what choice to the next owners have?

Mickygg

I would defo say there could be a problem with access. The other garage owner would more than likely not want gutters overhanging their border. I've had that in 2 properties now where gutters from neighbours gets blocked and all overflows and once creating a damp issue. How would you fix a gutter if the other side says you cant stand on their garage roof? 
A good way to annoy your neighbours! 

TheProfessional

Could you offer to buy the garage next to your proposed extension?

rik111

Almost certainly, you wont be able to extend on top of this garage without firstly jumping through hoops and secondly spending a fortune. Its not going yo happen, if the house is not big enpugh, just ho buy a bigger house, problem solved.

Slinky

Mickygg said:

I would defo say there could be a problem with access. The other garage owner would more than likely not want gutters overhanging their border. I've had that in 2 properties now where gutters from neighbours gets blocked and all overflows and once creating a damp issue. How would you fix a gutter if the other side says you cant stand on their garage roof? 
A good way to annoy your neighbours! 

Depends on how the roof was constructed as to where the gutters would be. It could be perfectly possible to have gutters on the front and back (which wouldn't overhang) rather than down the side.

It could be possible to do, although I agree you're likely to have to go down for foottings, which would also invove taking down the garage party wall, but it's fraught with difficulty.

AnotherJoe

I once owned a house with shared garages in a block. They werent connected to the house but it was enough hassle getting owners to agree to fix issues with the roof,  if the block was connected to the house even worse.

Also anyway as others have said this will likely  be a non starter for all types of reasons, buy a house where its just your garage you can extend or one thats big enough to start with.

dimbo61 said:

If you want to extend over your garage it could cause HUGE issues.
Garages do not have deep footing to support a second storey.
So you need to rip down your existing garage and dig down to the right depth to have new foundations.
Would you be building up against the garage which does not belong to you ?
How will you access the site.
Roof/gutters/soffits and fascia boards !

Not necessarily true, where i live most houses seem to have deep enough foundations as I often see extensions above joined garages yet no digging down to foundations, but even so with the other garages attached I agree with the rest of your points, most likely OP woudlnt even get PP and Id have thought neighbours would be able to block.

I also wouldnt want three other peoples garages next to my house you just need one "eththusiast" fixing his car or mbike outside every weekend to make your life a misery.