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When is a carport not a carport?

I bought a leasehold property (semi) this spring.

I read on the lease that I am not allowed to build a garage between in my property and next door (on my driveway)

Currently in that place there is a carport with a a garage door (type thing).

The roof isn't very good on the car port so I will need to consider replacing it. However, at the same time I may also consider replacing the front door....

I was also wondering about adding a back wall/door, thereby creating a secure area (the sides are open but flush against next door.

Do you think this would be allowed?
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Comments

  • DB1904
    DB1904 Posts: 1,240 Forumite
    1,000 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    Sounds like you intend to build a garage. 
  • DB1904 said:
    Sounds like you intend to build a garage. 
    Just putting a back wall on my current carport
  • Jeepers_Creepers
    Jeepers_Creepers Posts: 4,339 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 7 August 2021 pm31 8:54PM
    Which would almost certainly turn it into a garage.
    The Freeholder might not be bothered by this clause any more, so the right thing would be to ask first. Or, take a risk - after at least discussing it with your neighbour.
    There was another thread a good few months back about something very similar, and the same discussion as to 'what difference does it make?' I don't recall anyone having a definitive explanation, but the best guesses were about what could be done with each type of construction. Carport - keeping the worst of the elements away from visibly parked vehicles. Garage - anything could be going on in there, including turning it into habitable space.
    On this basis, if you explain that all you are doing differently to what is currently there, is adding a security wall to the rear - the side will remain with no 'wall'. Oh, and perhaps replacing the dodgy roof and doors...

  • When its a garage. 
     
  • Good plan. I did plan on asking the lease people about selling as well. Neighbour is already fine with it (everyone has a garage on the road already)
  • More likely, then, that the Freeholder will be happy with this.
    Good luck, and please keep us updated. Other folk have asked about this.
  • DB1904
    DB1904 Posts: 1,240 Forumite
    1,000 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    DB1904 said:
    Sounds like you intend to build a garage. 
    Just putting a back wall on my current carport
    Plus a new roof and door, sounds like triggers broom. 
  • DB1904 said:
    DB1904 said:
    Sounds like you intend to build a garage. 
    Just putting a back wall on my current carport
    Plus a new roof and door, sounds like triggers broom. 
    Surely replacing old with new is fine?
  • Jeepers_Creepers
    Jeepers_Creepers Posts: 4,339 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 7 August 2021 pm31 10:51PM
    It should be.
    If the carport roof is failing, then it needs replacing. Ditto for the door, although I wonder if a door should have been on there in the first place, being a carport?
    It does sound as tho' it's all pretty casual around there, and there aren't folk twitching their curtains with a phone in their other hand.
    I don't know what the current door is like - you describe it as '...type thing' - but if you could replace this with a better door with everyone thinking that's ok, and then the roof 'cos it's falling down, then the fitting of a rear wall is hardly of anyone's interest. But, it remains a risk without permission.
    Whether the technical difference between a carport and a garage is a matter for the house insurance is another consideration.
  • What materials would the walls and roof beade from? I have a structure I think can reasonably be considered a carport rather than a garage, even though it is fully enclosed. It consists of a lean-to timber frame covered with twin wall polycarbonate sheets.
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