Building control required for garage conversion?

[joewa]

We are converting our garage and have had different advice regarding building control requirements.

The garage is double length and attached the the house, on the side of a semi, however there is no direct access from the habitable part of the house to the garage. Access is via an external door at the rear into the garden or via the garage door at the front. We are only converting the rear half to be an office space and utility area. The garage will be boarded out with insulation but there is no way it can be practically used as a sleeping space.

Two companies have advised we need building control as the garage is not a completely separate building from the house nut one company has said that as there is no direct access from the house and it because of this can not be a sleeping space it doesn't need building control. Effectively saying its no different than boarding out a shed.

Who is right? I would prefer not to contact LA building control as they may insist on us putting in a commencement of works immediately and we need to have time to do the work gradually.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

If the garage was separated from the house (ie detached) then you could argue it was an outbuilding but it is not. Therefore you would need to apply for and comply with Building Regulations for the habitable part. An office is considered to be habitable.

The sleeping accommodation aspect is a moot point as that only applies to outbuildings.

Once you commence the work there is no time limit on how long you have to complete the works, you just need to get BC in to have a look at the appropriate times and sign it off at the end.