Guide To Building An Annex
For those who are lucky enough to have a spacious garden, an annexe can be an excellent way to utilise the space if the home is becoming overcrowded. Annexes provide independence to family members who may require assistance, adult children who don’t quite want to leave home or to provide extra income from a lodger. Annexes can also add to the value of the home.
Before heading straight to the tool shed, there are a few things you need to consider. Planning permission is usually required off the local council before building any form of annexe in the garden. This can take a while to be granted, so if you have a deadline for completion the planning permission application should be completed well in advance.
Before deciding to build an annexe for rental purposes research what is generally charged for a rented annexe in your area. Also, your income tax and council tax rates may be affected by the lodging of another person on your land. You may want to consider whether the financial benefits will be as great as initially thought.
When planning to build the annexe, you need to take utilities into account such as hot water and electricity. It’s no use having cold water running out of your bath taps. If you’re not knowledgeable about plumbing or electrical wiring, a suitable tradesman should be hired to ensure the granny flat is safe for people to live in. Dodgy wiring and plumbing can cause many complications and even be hazardous to the resident.
In order for your family member or lodger to live in it, it must be spacious, functional and comfortable for the new occupant. Many people combine the living room and kitchen to save some space if there’s not heaps of room. If an immobile family member is planning to move into the annexe it needs to spacious and have suitable disabled access and facilities. Making the bathroom into a wet room can be extremely helpful for wheelchair users.
Security of the annexe also needs to be outlined. Because they’re generally ground floor the windows and doors should be double locking and double glazed to enhance security for the member. If it’s easily accessible without passing through the house, any access points such as gates should have locking features. A smoke alarm is another necessary appliance that can easily be forgotten.
Annexes can be a great independent place to live for family members. They’re particularly useful for someone who works from home too, as they can have complete peace and quiet. Although annexes aren’t too costly, home improvement loans can often help to ease some of the costs. Whoever you decide to build your annexe for, you can add value to your home whilst catering for a loved one or supplementing your income.