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Buying a property with converted garage

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  • 07-07-2014 4:29pm
    #1
    nicol
    Registered Users Posts: 385 ✭✭


    Hi all,

    just went sale agreed on a property that has a detached garage. The garage has been converted to a granny flat but there was no planning granted for the conversion. I am guessing that the bank would not be too happy about this situation so I need to know what ways the situation could be remedied. My current thoughts are:

    1. The vendor apply for planning and the sale to move forward subject to retention being granted
    2. Undo the conversion to the point that the garage would be considered a garage, not a granny flat. I wonder in law at what stage this would be deemed true, i.e. remove plumbing and internal walls.

    To be honest at the moment I have no need for a granny flat, but it could prove to be useful in a few years time as a man cave / home gym or for my kids to hang out in with their mates.

    Thanks


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    #2
    bullvine
    Registered Users Posts: 2,828 ✭✭✭bullvine


    Its possible you may not need Planning permission, check with the local county council. regards


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    #3
    Pawwed Rig
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 22,346 CMod ✭✭✭✭Pawwed Rig


    It depends if the Granny flat is increasing the cost price of the house and if so by how much. Good negotiating tool to have.


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    #4
    dendof
    Registered Users Posts: 214 ✭✭dendof


    I'm in the same situation. What my engineer did was gave me a cert of compliance but qualified it saying that there was no planning for garage conversion, but it could be easily converted back to it's intended use. Bank were happy with this and are happy to give mortgage.


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    #5
    Santa Cruz
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,126 ✭✭✭Santa Cruz


    nicol wrote: »
    Hi all,

    just went sale agreed on a property that has a detached garage. The garage has been converted to a granny flat but there was no planning granted for the conversion. I am guessing that the bank would not be too happy about this situation so I need to know what ways the situation could be remedied. My current thoughts are:

    1. The vendor apply for planning and the sale to move forward subject to retention being granted
    2. Undo the conversion to the point that the garage would be considered a garage, not a granny flat. I wonder in law at what stage this would be deemed true, i.e. remove plumbing and internal walls.

    To be honest at the moment I have no need for a granny flat, but it could prove to be useful in a few years time as a man cave / home gym or for my kids to hang out in with their mates.

    Thanks

    If it wasn't intrusive you could rent it out or alternatively, pool table, plasma tv, fridge for beers, microwave and comfortable couch.


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    #6
    nicol
    Registered Users Posts: 385 ✭✭nicol


    It's not really being pushed as a selling point for the property so it's not adding to the price to be honest.
    Pawwed Rig wrote: »
    It depends if the Granny flat is increasing the cost price of the house and if so by how much. Good negotiating tool to have.


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    #7
    Pawwed Rig
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 22,346 CMod ✭✭✭✭Pawwed Rig


    nicol wrote: »
    It's not really being pushed as a selling point for the property so it's not adding to the price to be honest.
    Well then the bank would have no issue as the value of the loan is in the house.


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    #8
    nicol
    Registered Users Posts: 385 ✭✭nicol


    Cheers for the reply. Out of curiosity what bank are you going with? I think the cert of compliance sounds like a good work around.
    dendof wrote: »
    I'm in the same situation. What my engineer did was gave me a cert of compliance but qualified it saying that there was no planning for garage conversion, but it could be easily converted back to it's intended use. Bank were happy with this and are happy to give mortgage.


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    #9
    dendof
    Registered Users Posts: 214 ✭✭dendof


    nicol wrote: »
    Cheers for the reply. Out of curiosity what bank are you going with? I think the cert of compliance sounds like a good work around.

    Bank of Ireland. Also to add, the cert of compliance stated that everything else was fully in order, house etc.


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    #10
    lindad2014
    Registered Users Posts: 2 ✭lindad2014


    Hi just wondering how your getting on regards the granny flat just went sale agreed on a property to a granny flat to rear of the house , we don't intent to use it has a granny flat as no other shed in the garden so will be using it as storage. have letter of compliance ? will the bank be happy with that?


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    #11
    nicol
    Registered Users Posts: 385 ✭✭nicol


    Still progressing with the sale. There was a bigger planning issue that needed to be resolved by us before the bank would offer mortgage. Thankfully this has been resolved.

    As regards the Granny flat ;spoke to the vendors and they will convert it back into a garage prior to sale. This suits me as I'd prefer it as a garage for now.

    To answer your question ;I'd expect that the bank would be satisfied with a letter of compliance. Best of luck with the sale!

    lindad2014 wrote: »
    Hi just wondering how your getting on regards the granny flat just went sale agreed on a property to a granny flat to rear of the house , we don't intent to use it has a granny flat as no other shed in the garden so will be using it as storage. have letter of compliance ? will the bank be happy with that?


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    #12
    lindad2014
    Registered Users Posts: 2 ✭lindad2014


    Hi thanks a million for your reply best of luck with your sale too


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