Merging Two Bedsits Over a Kebab Shop

[AtW]

Right, looking into buying a bedsit next to mine on top of a kebab shop, so thinking to double up my master bedroom to about 100 sq ft (heavily rounding up here for me street cred). Seller is throwing in free kebabs for 99 years.

Planning permission in theory is not required... or is it?

[northernladuk]

There is a good article on the planning permission issue here.
https://www.forsters.co.uk/news/blog...-dwellinghouse

People think no but the case law mentioned on there says otherwise. I guess the answer is it depends but get it anyway.

Am I right in guessing the new single property will span two different buildings? Even if planning permission is granted isn't that going to be a total mare for leases and the like? Owning a single unit which is two parts of separate buildings doesn't sound like it's gonna be smooth sailing.

[Paddy]

Right, looking into buying a bedsit next to mine on top of a kebab shop, so thinking to double up my master bedroom to about 100 sq ft (heavily rounding up here for me street cred). Seller is throwing in free kebabs for 99 years.

Planning permission in theory is not required... or is it?

And building regulations. Get a RICS architect and submit plans. PS Who owns the freehold?

[hobnob]

If both bedsits (single rooms?) are above the same kebab shop, that will make things a lot easier in terms of leasehold etc. However, you'll still need to talk to various official organisations. The main one would be the Land Registry (to say that one address no longer exists); you'll also need to look at gas/electricity/water meters, assuming that you don't want to have 2 sets of standing charges, and that will presumably involve some electrical/plumbing work.

The local council might object, if you're replacing 2 small properties with 1 big property (i.e. reducing the supply of available housing for first time buyers). However, if this was originally one flat which got split in half, you'll have an easier time of merging them back together.

[GJABS]

Seller is throwing in free kebabs for 99 years.

Would anyone live that long eating greasy kebabs from a takeaway every day?

[Paddy]

Right, looking into buying a bedsit next to mine on top of a kebab shop, so thinking to double up my master bedroom to about 100 sq ft (heavily rounding up here for me street cred). Seller is throwing in free kebabs for 99 years.

Planning permission in theory is not required... or is it?

Hang on; double to 100sqft? A 50sqfr bedroom is rather small, are you sure?

[ravenshaw]

Seller is throwing in free kebabs for 99 years.

I hope you read the small print!

[Mordac]

Right, looking into buying a bedsit next to mine on top of a kebab shop, so thinking to double up my master bedroom to about 100 sq ft (heavily rounding up here for me street cred). Seller is throwing in free kebabs for 99 years.

Planning permission in theory is not required... or is it?

100 sq ft is barely a half-decent sized en-suite. Still, no woman (or human for that matter) will ever see it, so I suggest you save that cash and put it towards driving lessons that specialise in brick wall avoidance...

[northernladuk]

Would anyone live that long eating greasy kebabs from a takeaway every day?

MF is living proof....

[courtg9000]

Planning will be needed.
Unless you are a cash buyer you will need a specialist broker to get you finance. Most high street/big name trade lenders won't touch something above hot food retail because of the risk.
In view of the risk of the purchase and the potentially difficult resale, make sure your remodeling gives you a property that other people will want to buy in case you ever need to sell.
Get a good architect to design the remodelled property and get you through planning.
Have a good firm with a good local reputation and a good rep with the council engaged to carry out the works.
Lastly do not ever try and DIY stuff with the land registry. Always use a solicitor and don't let them pass it to a conveyancer either.
You will need a solicitor to sort the leases on this as well.