There are numerous reasons to consider splitting up your home. It could be you’re looking to downsize after the kids have moved out. Or that you’re looking to utilise excess space and turn it into a new revenue source.
Whatever your reasons, converting one space into two can be a daunting prospect, especially if you’ve never taken on a large scale home project before. You’ll not only have to think about the design of your two new homes, but also about a lot of paperwork - and nothing can feel scarier, or more frustrating, than housing admin.
Here’s what you can expect to face...
Planning permission
First things first, if you’re looking to divide your property, you will have to obtain planning permission from your local authority. You can either do this yourself, or use an architect to act as your planning agent. Because this is a complex project, we recommend the latter.
As your planning agent, an architect will be able to work with your planning officer to adjust designs, if required. This greatly increases your chances of getting approval first time round, as well as eliminates the possibility of your project getting rejected due to small submission errors.
Some things to note on planning…
If your home is a listed building, we advise getting in touch with your local authority before working on your designs. There are more considerations to make for this type of property, and you’ll likely have to produce plans that work to in keep with the property's historical features.
You’ll also be subject to tighter rules if you’re living in a conservation area. And if your project requires demolition, you may also need to apply for further planning permission for this, and should speak to your local authority for advice before you start.
Even if your home is a new build, located outside a conservation area, other factors could play into it’s approval. For example, in London, different councils will have different housing priorities. In Richmond, splitting your home might come into question, if other properties in the area are mostly whole. Likewise, another council might reject your plans to convert two flats into one, if there is a limited housing stock in the area.