Garage 1.8 Sq. Meters above exempted planning size

mo_bhicycle

Hi all,
We are in the process of buying a house, but unfortunately the garage is marginally beyond the exempted 25 Sq meters.
The vendors are digging their heels in and refusing to apply for retention.

An additional course of blocks, with a layer of insulation along one of the walls would bring it under the limit.
From a legal perspective, would this be a legitimate means of bringing us below the 25 Sq meter threshold?

Strolling Bones

I would probably buy anyway all else being good.
Chance of enforcement action is slim.
But you may face selling to a buyer less daring than I in due course.

Gumbo

You could buy then lodge for retention yourself?
Although it's not the best route as you could technically get refused.

sydthebeat

mo_bhicycle wrote: »

An additional course of blocks, with a layer of insulation along one of the walls would bring it under the limit.
From a legal perspective, would this be a legitimate means of bringing us below the 25 Sq meter threshold?

a timber stud would be a much more logical option

galwaytt

Strolling Bones wrote: »

I would probably buy anyway all else being good.
Chance of enforcement action is slim.
But you may face selling to a buyer less daring than I in due course.

I would too.

But isn't it funny how non-compliance now, for OP, isn't necessarily a stumbling block - so why would it be in X years down the road when he comes to move it on...... ??

Strolling Bones

galwaytt wrote: »

so why would it be in X years down the road when he comes to move it on...... ??

Some cannot put risk into perspective.

mo_bhicycle

Thanks all, applying for retention ourselves is a potential option too. I mainly wanted to make sure that making the wall thicker somehow would work too.

sydthebeat's suggestion about a stud wall is probably better than my original idea with the blocks.

Angry bird

The 25 square metres exemption is for the floor area, does not include exterior walls. If not applicable the stud wall suggestion is sensible.

wendywoo62

hi i have recently sold my house but have now realised that a garage i built after i purchased the house 11 years ago (planning permission was already in place for 25sq mtr) is actually 15 square meters bigger think i am going to have to apply for retention any ideas on cost and how long this will take please

Gumbo

wendywoo62 wrote: »

hi i have recently sold my house but have now realised that a garage i built after i purchased the house 11 years ago (planning permission was already in place for 25sq mtr) is actually 15 square meters bigger think i am going to have to apply for retention any ideas on cost and how long this will take please

Where are you located?
A retention application can be done for anything from €700-€1000 plus depending on what's involved.

The time frame is a standard statutory period of 8 weeks from the day you lodge. You require the full rigours of an application including site notice, newspaper ad etc

wendywoo62

Thanks kceire for your reply i am in south tipp and struggling to get an engineer

Gumbo

wendywoo62 wrote: »

Thanks kceire for your reply i am in south tipp and struggling to get an engineer

Try a local Architect or Technician.
A Retention application is a very simple process, once you know what you are doing.

Strolling Bones

wendywoo62 wrote: »

hi i have recently sold my house but have now realised that a garage i built after i purchased the house 11 years ago (planning permission was already in place for 25sq mtr) is actually 15 square meters bigger think i am going to have to apply for retention any ideas on cost and how long this will take please

If you have sold a house - why are you concerned ?

The issue belongs now with the new owner.

Gumbo

Strolling Bones wrote: »

If you have sold a house - why are you concerned ?

The issue belongs now with the new owner.

I'd say they have gone sale agreed and this is one of the questions that the buyers solicitors want rectified.