Hey all!

 

I have the opportunity to purchase a 2 bed flat. By placing the kitchen in the lounge i.e. open plan can convert to 3 beds.

Does this require planning consent? - I can purchase the freehold and no external work would occur.

 

Any advice welcome

 

Cheers

I'm not an expert but I don't think you would need PP. However you will probably need a building warrant if you are moving the kitchen to another room.

Thanks 

 

what's a building warrant ??

33 minutes ago, pocster said:

Thanks 

 

what's a building warrant ??

 

It's something diligent lawyers ask for when a house which has had major work done to it changes hands... in theory

It may also be something that diligent insurance companies ask for when DIY wiring burns your house down  

Building Warrant is the Scottish term for Building control approval.

 

I have to question the motive for squashing the kitchen into the lounge and making another bedroom. I did the wiring for a similar conversion (1 bed house into 2 bed house) and it made a very pokey bedroom where the kitchen was, and a very cramped living room. The owner did it so he could let it as a 2 bedroom house, but I suspect it would not have added any value to the property if selling it.
 

:-)

3 bed rents for more than 2 bed

this is quite a large 2 bed ; 70 sq m ....

You will need Building Control approval to take out structural and there may be something in your lease. You may also need to comply with Party Wall requirements. Probably no PP.

 

In England we also have a Building Notice, where rather than asking Building Control for approval, you just tell them what you are doing. This might be appropriate here.

 

The difference is that you do not get an external sanity check, so you take responsibility for not getting anything wrong. You proceed quickly, but bear that additional risk. Tends to be used for simple and clear cut situations and where people are experi need and confident. You could build a house under a Building Notice, but it gets expensive when you get it wrong and they tell you to add another 45cm to the bottom of the foundations you just built to ground level.

 

Do they have Building Notices in Scotland?

 

Not convinced that 70 sqm is especially large for a 3 bed, but financial return it may be very dependent on area. Run it past an estate agent?

 

Ferdinand

Edited January 22, 20179 yr by Ferdinand

Cheers. Im in UK

 

No party wall required; doesn't touch neighbours walls.No structural issues. Could buy the freehold :-)

 

Cheers