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Moving into annexe as main home

Grumpy67_2
Grumpy67_2 Posts: 6 Forumite
Part of the Furniture First Post Combo Breaker
in House buying, renting & selling
Hi all. My parents have a 3 bed cottage with self contained one bed annexe flat over a double garage completely separate from their cottage at the end of the garden. The annexe was lived in until recently by my mum's elderly aunt who has now passed away. My parents are elderly and to help support them, I'm considering moving into the annexe myself. However I would like to convert the garage space under the flat into a lounge to create a second bedroom upstairs. I would sell my home and give my parents a large chunk of the proceeds from this as they are property rich, but cash poor. The annexe has its own utilities supplied, but is in with the main house for council tax. 
Are there any issues with me doing this?
Would I need planning permission to convert the flat into a house?
Thanks in advance for any advice. 


Comments

  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    The annexe has its own utilities supplied, but is in with the main house for council tax.
    As a self-contained unit it should already be individually banded.
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
  • Swipe
    Swipe Posts: 6,155 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Probably not a great idea to be gifting elderly parents money either for inheritance tax purposes.
  • dimbo61
    dimbo61 Posts: 13,727 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Pay them rent if you want.
  • newsgroupmonkey_
    newsgroupmonkey_ Posts: 1,270 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Swipe said:
    Probably not a great idea to be gifting elderly parents money either for inheritance tax purposes.
    Unless of course you "buy" some of the property from them. Get a charge on the house.
    It's no different from equity release. Arguably, it could help in the future with IHT.
  • lincroft1710
    lincroft1710 Posts: 19,451 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    You may need Planning Permission, you will definitely need Building Regulations Approval. 


    As @CIS has said, the flat should have had its own CT band
    If you are querying your Council Tax band would you please state whether you are in England, Scotland or Wales
  • rexmedorum
    rexmedorum Posts: 782 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    newsgroupmonkey_ said:
    Swipe said:
    Probably not a great idea to be gifting elderly parents money either for inheritance tax purposes.
    Unless of course you "buy" some of the property from them. Get a charge on the house.
    It's no different from equity release. Arguably, it could help in the future with IHT.
    It's definately worth looking into.
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