Steps to take in order to convert a summer house into a dwelling

gwynlas

Before you discount holiday lets check them out for your area.. Many people would like short term accommodation without having to commit to year long lease.

casper_gutman

gwynlas said:

Before you discount holiday lets check them out for your area.. Many people would like short term accommodation without having to commit to year long lease.

Definitely agree with this. A relative rents out a house in a very non-touristic area of the midlands on AirBNB and does very well. Not so much holidaymakers as professionals on short term contracts, people from overseas visiting relatives in the area, etc. etc. One selling point in this case seems to be that there aren't many holiday lets etc. in the area!

Section62

Bendy_House said:

Not sure what regs/insurances/legalities are involved in that, but there are LOADS of self-catering huts such as Shepherd's Huts (literally sitting on wheels) and all sorts of Glamping Pods down this neck, so clearly there isn't a 'habitable standard' required as such. Or else it's being flouted on a sizeable scale.

There are different rules depending on whether something is a "dwelling" intended for all-year occupation, or some other form of accommodation such as a "caravan".  Some of the rules applying to other forms of accommodation (e.g. caravans) are stricter than those applying to normal dwellings (e.g. fire safety).  If a structure is being used for letting/hire on a business basis then there could be additional local licencing requirements.

It is a minefield if you don't know what you are doing - and yes, the rules are often flouted, but the owners are taking huge personal risks in doing so (e.g. significant jail time if things go badly wrong).

FreeBear

Bendy_House said: But does it conform to current regs? Will they expect current standards of insulation, etc? Or will hubbie need to add more to ceilings, walls, floors?

Updated regs are due to come into force from June 15th. Thermal performance of all elements have been increased, so it is quite possible doors & windows won't pass. Ventilation requirements have been added that pretty much mandate trickle vents or some other form of background ventilators. Most of the changes are relatively minor, but combined, could be enough to scupper any chance of being signed off.

At 60m², planning permission would have been required - Under 30m² and without sleeping accommodation, it would generally fall under permitted development and only need BR sign off (under 15m², doesn't even need that).

Section62

gwynlas said:

Before you discount holiday lets check them out for your area.....

I think there could be potential for Rickmansworth, it isn't that far by train to Central London, there's the Grand Union Canal, and it isn't a million miles from Heathrow for pre-flight stopovers.

But on the other hand, running a holiday let business isn't for everyone, and it isn't as simple as taking people's bookings and payments... it does involve quite a lot of work and limitations on your own lifestyle.

Then there's the legalities....

timea

Bendy_House said:

timea said:

  Thank you for your advice , I will definitely seek to make this house safe and if this needs BC sing off I will do that too. I suppose in the end I need to try my luck with the planning. I found a few years ago something similar for sale and that raised my curiosity ...if other have obtain a bungalow approval on their rear garden ...why wouldn't I .. it is just staying there ...at least to earn some rent money. 

I just don't see it happening, Timea.

It sounds like an impressive building, right enough, and it's clearly 'habitable' - ie, folk can live in it in comfort. But does it conform to current regs? Will they expect current standards of insulation, etc? Or will hubbie need to add more to ceilings, walls, floors? How much damage will need to be made to reveal the roof construction and show that it's correct and won't suffer from cond? What manner of foundations will be expected, and how will you prove this?

What a 'mare.

Instead, you move in there, and then rent out your house (Kidding)

Or, AirBnB it.

Not sure what regs/insurances/legalities are involved in that, but there are LOADS of self-catering huts such as Shepherd's Huts (literally sitting on wheels) and all sorts of Glamping Pods down this neck, so clearly there isn't a 'habitable standard' required as such. Or else it's being flouted on a sizeable scale.

Not sure how many folk wish to spend a week or a few days in Rickmansworth, but it could be a cheap and easy stay for them, and a nice little earner for you.

If you do decide to go 'retrospective', please keep us updated on how it goes - it'll be very interesting.

  I will go retrospective and seek for planning advice as well. I will let you know how it goes. At the end my daughter will be 18 in 3 year , maybe she want's to move there  

timea

gwynlas said:

Before you discount holiday lets check them out for your area.. Many people would like short term accommodation without having to commit to year long lease.

  Thank you . I need to consider this as well. But first I also need to make sure I am all legal and have all the safety in place. I suppose I will need also a public liability insurance , just to covered . 

JGB1955

I would definitely consider Air BnB-ing it.  We used to live in Croxley Green and still (very occasionally) crave a visit back to our old haunts.  Convenient for the Metropolitan Line in one direction and the Chilterns in the other.  We have booked a week near Little Missenden later this year - holiday lets are like hen's teeth in that area....

timea

Section62 said:

gwynlas said:

Before you discount holiday lets check them out for your area.....

I think there could be potential for Rickmansworth, it isn't that far by train to Central London, there's the Grand Union Canal, and it isn't a million miles from Heathrow for pre-flight stopovers.

But on the other hand, running a holiday let business isn't for everyone, and it isn't as simple as taking people's bookings and payments... it does involve quite a lot of work and limitations on your own lifestyle.

Then there's the legalities....

  Indeed Heathrow is very close and to London is only 1h away by train. I will do some more research about renting and see if other properties are rented near by. Now that all the prices are going up , I can use some extra money to help me with the bills.