Planning advice on annex (can you rent it)

[DGSG]

Hi, thank you for reading....

We have a self contained annex in the garden that we would like to rent out (not to a family member) but I'm unsure on the legalities.

There are no planning conditions on the annex and it is classed as 'A residential annex ancillary to the enjoyment of the main dwelling house 'xxxx'.

Does anyone know if the building can be rented out as you would a spare bedroom to a lodger or if I'm missing something?

Many thanks

 

[luisdesign]

No, you cannot legally rent this.

Read this again:

''A residential annex ancillary to the enjoyment of the main dwelling house"


If you rent out the annex then it is no longer used ancillary to the enjoyment of the main dwelling. It has become its own self contained dwelling. The use would have changed and it would be subject to planning.

 

[DGSG]

Thanks for your reply although disappointing to read it. We were hoping / expecting the arrangement of house and annex to be treated as an individual unit that you could rent out to different occupants like a HMO.

Thanks again

 

[luisdesign]

HMOs are a separate use class also, so would themselves require consent.

This does not necessarily mean that you will not be allowed to do it, but you will have to seek permission first. If the site is suitable then it will be permitted, if it is not then it won't.

Now, This is mainly because you want to rent it out on the market. If you were to have somone like a member of the (household) family, or a nanny or maid stay there then it may be different because it would be linked with the main house still. This is where it starts to get a little greyer of course...

Your best option at the moment is to go to your local planning department and visit the duty officer for their comments.

Ask them if you will need permission for a nanny to stay in your annex.
Then if you will need permission for this to be rented separately (market housing).