Considering purchasing a house with a garage that could be converted into a granny flat. What should I be aware of?

Now unless banks don't do this anymore but if not how is anyone meant to fund a big job needed on a newly purchased house or extension or anything,
With AIB or BOI (others likely similar), once you own the home you can apply for a home improvement loan, shorter term but higher rates.
 
Hello,
I'm a single buyer looking to purchase my first home. I have my eye on a house in a decent location that has an attached garage (with no side entrance, in case relevant), which I think could make a nice granny flat in a good location very walkable to all amenities, hence would make for an attractive spot for renters and/or AirBNB.

The garage is approx 20sqm currently (at a guess, no measurements yet), I think it'd need to be approx 35sqm to be workable?

Does it make sense to purchase a property like this on the basis of converting the garage to a granny flat and benefiting from the subsequent rental income? The house itself would be a good bit under my AIP (I can borrow approx €340k, and I think the house could be bought for approx €250k).

I'm estimating the conversion could be anywhere around the €70k mark which I'd have to seek finance for separately.

Would I get a loan for this after having just entered into a mortgage? Or would there be a minimum wait time before I'd be eligible?

Building costs are obviously high these days, but I think I could do a bit of the internal works myself such as painting, laying floor, possibly tiling.

Would appreciate any input, thank you.
No, just because you or the vendor's agent think it is a good opportunity to convert into a granny flat does not mean that you will be given PP to do so. Generally PP is only granted if you present some evidence that a relative who needs to live with you will use it and then it will be merged back into the original house once Granny passes away. The PP is usually conditional on the latter and if you put it up for rental or on Airbnb any busybody can come along and report an enforcement breach to the council, who will rule against you if it was a condition.

A garage a nice thing to have and offers you many options for use as an extension or workspace, but don't assume you can make modifications to it that would make it a separate unit.
 
T

That is not true, conversion for the purpose of creating a granny flat or self-contained unit does not fall under exempted development.

Most local authorities are pretty restrictive on granting permission for granny flats and in most cases will require proof of a family need and will explicitly prohibit letting in any form.
They usually will accept a letter, but will make the PP conditional on family use only, letting of any kind is a planning breach and if its reported (which it will probably be) you will be subject to enforcement proceedings.
You probably would have got away with this 30 years ago, not now.
 
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That is disappointing.
Was that during covid? There was a huge issue with planning enforcement of this kind during that time - the brother complained about something like that next door to him and the same - basically they looked it up on google maps rather than properly inspecting the unit which was illegally erected. Get someone else to make a fresh complaint.
 
Was that during covid? There was a huge issue with planning enforcement of this kind during that time - the brother complained about something like that next door to him and the same - basically they looked it up on google maps rather than properly inspecting the unit which was illegally erected. Get someone else to make a fresh complaint.
It was my post that Leo responded to with "That's disappointing"

It was late 2020 when it was first rented out and the permission is clear that the converted property cannot be rented. Out objection went in immediately. I would assume that includes under rent a room scheme.

To all intents and purposes it's totally self contained, the occupants have no access to the main house at all. It was built to be let out, not for a family member. Now in 2024, nobody from the council has followed up on it.

Its really annoying they are so poor on planning compliance and investigations. It's almost like they don't care what's built after it gets approved.

The building is not built according to the drawings submitted for planning. Permission was also based on the applicant getting the necessary consent from us, which was not asked for, and would not have been given.
There are also boundary issues which I know the council will walk away from. However, by being so lax, they are facilitating those who don't respect boundaries or planning.
 
It was my post that Leo responded to with "That's disappointing"

It was late 2020 when it was first rented out and the permission is clear that the converted property cannot be rented. Out objection went in immediately. I would assume that includes under rent a room scheme.

To all intents and purposes it's totally self contained, the occupants have no access to the main house at all. It was built to be let out, not for a family member. Now in 2024, nobody from the council has followed up on it.

Its really annoying they are so poor on planning compliance and investigations. It's almost like they don't care what's built after it gets approved.

The building is not built according to the drawings submitted for planning. Permission was also based on the applicant getting the necessary consent from us, which was not asked for, and would not have been given.
There are also boundary issues which I know the council will walk away from. However, by being so lax, they are facilitating those who don't respect boundaries or planning.
Late 2020 would suggest it was indeed covid era - there was massive problems with decisions made at that time as they were done on the basis of exterior appearances and not fully investigated. Get another neighbour to put in a fresh complaint.
But original point remains - you are not entitled to create another unit without PP, and its strictly "family use only", and would be subject to enforcement proceedings if you get cheeky and decide to ignore the conditions and place it on AirBnB or Daft.
 
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