Partition wall in garage

i_am_fubar · 27 Jul 2015

So. I know this comes up a lot. But I just want to clarify something.

At what point does putting things in a garage constitute a 'change of use'?

Is it when I put a sink in?

Is it when I put a washing machine in?

Is it when I put a stud wall cupboard in?

Is it when that cupboard takes up one end of the garage?

Is it when I put said washing machine and sink in that cupboard?

Basically, I don't care about heating the place. I just want a closed off area for the washing machine and a 'dirty' sink so they won't get covered in metal shavings from the work shop. And for the addition of a £100 stud wall, I don't see why I should have to pay £££'s more for building control issues :/

tony1851 · 27 Jul 2015

There is no law against putting a sink, washing machine, cupboards etc in a garage - it's not a material change of use.

^woody^ · 27 Jul 2015

Change of use is a planning concept and does not apply for using a garage for another purpose.

In terms of using the garage, it no longer becomes a garage when you start to use it for purposes more akin to what would be done in a different room. Put in your sink and washing machine and partition it, is more like a utility room for instance. And such a partitioned space presents a higher likelyhood of producing condensation issues which could affect the building - so needs to be controlled via building regulations.

tony1851 · 27 Jul 2015

Quite right - I was thinking of 'material alteration'.

But if I were the OP, I'd just do it; who would know?

^woody^ · 27 Jul 2015

I admire that rebel attitude

i_am_fubar · 28 Jul 2015

Well, if the only issue is condensation (from a practical concern stand point) then I'll leave a decent vent gap at the top of the wall to provide ventilation. Worst case, if I come to sell it, I undo some wall bolts and remove the wall

There's plenty of evidence to what happens when a *bad* conversion is done left over from the previous owners illegal room modification.

mattylad · 28 Jul 2015

It's a garage, get it done - put a vent in etc - just do it.

No one cares about council involvement for something like this as long as it's easy enough to knock it all down later.

^woody^ · 28 Jul 2015

mattylad said:
No one cares about council involvement for something like this

Insurers sometimes care

mattylad · 28 Jul 2015

Do they? Does anyone actually tell their house insurers about any and every modification to their house?

Do I have to let them know when I wallpaper the lounge? Or are we talking structural modifications? (of which a partition wall is not one).

Nakajo · 28 Jul 2015

You should inform the fashion police.

^woody^ · 28 Jul 2015

mattylad said:
Do they? Does anyone actually tell their house insurers about any and every modification to their house?

Do I have to let them know when I wallpaper the lounge? Or are we talking structural modifications? (of which a partition wall is not one).

If you alter a room to form another use or an additional room, you alter the risk. If you carry out works without authorisation when authorisation would be required, you breach your contract of insurance. It does not matter if a wall is structural or not, but little things like fire resistance might.

Obviously, none of this matters until you come to make a claim.

noseall · 29 Jul 2015

What a lot of people forget, particularly in the Summer, is that these poorly insulated/ventilated spaces become almost unusable in the winter.
Do it right - do it once.

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Partition wall in garage

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