Planning a granny annexe is a big project and beforehand you will have plenty of questions. Here on the iHUS blog, we try to answer as many of those as possible. Granny annexe legal requirements will likely be one of your first thoughts; particularly planning permission.
Below we answer some of the most common questions including what to do about planning permission.
Granny Annexe Legal Requirements
In this post, we will cover the most common questions relating to granny annexes and the law.
- Planning permission
- Ownership
- Council tax
Granny Annexe Planning Permission
Granny annexe planning permission is usually one of the first legal requirements that our customers ask us about.
You may have already discovered by now that you will need planning permission for your annexe. if a structure in addition to your house is going to be a dwelling, then you will always need either planning permission or a Certificate of Lawfulness from your local authority.
Planning permission for your granny annexe can be one of the most complex aspects of the project but there is no need to worry about this when you build your annexe with iHUS as we take care of planning as part of our service.
Even on our first consultation, we will be able to advise you on the likelihood that your plans will gain approval. For example, if you really want a pitched roof on your annexe, with a quick survey of your garden and surroundings, our expert consultant will be able to tell you if you are likely to gain permission.
Granny Annexe Ownership
Something that crops up before you start your granny annexe project is the legal issue of ownership. This is something that your family must discuss before you make any plans to build an annexe.
If you have a family member who is looking to release equity and downsize there are some beneficial reasons to do that in relation to Inheritance Tax and for the property owner, the value of the main house will usually increase and become more desirable when it comes to selling.
Whilst there are no rules on who should own a granny annexe when it comes to selling a property, an annexe must always be sold alongside the main residence. It will not be classed as a separate property when it comes to selling.
It is best to discuss who ‘owns’ the annexe beforehand and make sure that all parties are in agreement.
Granny Annexe Council Tax
Granny annexes used to be considered a separate dwelling and therefore was not exempt from council tax. However, in 2014, the government revised this as many people saw it as unfair. As many people use annexes to house elderly relatives, they are saving the government money by reducing the strain on elderly housing and care services.
So long as the person living in your granny annexe is a relative, or you only have it for your own use, then you should be entitled to a 50% discount on council tax. This is good news for anybody who is planning a granny annexe that isn’t for a granny – some young families choose to live in an annexe, for example.
If the family member living in the annexe is a dependent family member then you will be exempt from paying council tax altogether. Anybody over the age of 65 is classed as a dependent relative, as are severely disabled people.
The process to apply for a discount or exemption is easy and should be done with your local authority the same way you would apply for other council tax discounts, single person discount, for example.
Want to Discuss Granny Annexe Legal Requirements?
If you still have a question about any of the legal aspects of building a granny annexe, then please contact us.
With many years’ experience in the field, we are able to answer any questions or concerns that you or other family members may have.
