CIL on adding a semi (and loft rooms)

[Rachieble]

Anyone an CIL expert please? I'm buying a house with a vacant side plot. The plot currently has planning to build a large side extension. We are going to reapply for permission to build pretty much the same scheme but as a semi detached house instead of an extension. I believe CIL isn't payable on sub-division which this is (sort of) as the land will still have one title at the time I build the second house and won't be variated until everything is finished and we're ready to sell on. Is the house still be liable for CIL (I'm sure it is, but thought I'd just check first)? 

 

We also want to build some loft rooms. Its a bit sneaky, but is there any way to 'disguise' these as non-usable space from the purpose of CIL, as this will take it over 100m2 and it would be under otherwise. There won't be any dormers, just velux windows, though there will be a staircase. Could we finish the house, then add in stairs later for instance as this is internal works not requiring planning permission? 

[Alan Ambrose]

No harm is asking your LPA’s CIL department the question re liability. I have asked mine a few times ‘can I confirm if I do x and y then that won’t jeopardise my self-build exemption’. As they are experts in their own subject I think that gives you a cast iron guarantee … as long as you do what they say exactly.

 

Like taxes, you are free to arrange your life to minimise CIL.  If that means completing the build without loft rooms and adding them later, so be it.

 

But if you are not in fact liable for CIL then you won’t care. Presumably if it’s a self-build you won’t be liable.

[Rachieble]

I'm building this in order to pay for the first house which is bigger. So it doesn't qualify for the self build exemption.