is property considered commercial or residential?

Framed10

Hi, I've a query regarding a semi detached property that is coming up for sale shortly, it was originally a two storey house and then at some point was split into a doctors surgery on the ground floor (commercial) and a self contained apartment (residential) on the first floor.

I have been approved for a mortgage but my broker thinks I won't be accepted for this property as its designated commercial.

My questions are the following:

How can I find out if the property is now designated residential or commercial.

If there was planning permission given at the time to convert it to commercial use on the ground floor.

If it is now commercial, how can I get it changed back to residential? (is it complicated?)

I will ask this of the auctioneer when it does come up for sale but I'd like to be able to do as much research in the meantime.
Thanks

Gumbo

Framed10 wrote: »

Hi, I've a query regarding a semi detached property that is coming up for sale shortly, it was originally a two storey house and then at some point was split into a doctors surgery on the ground floor (commercial) and a self contained apartment (residential) on the first floor.

I have been approved for a mortgage but my broker thinks I won't be accepted for this property as its designated commercial.

My questions are the following:

How can I find out if the property is now designated residential or commercial.

If there was planning permission given at the time to convert it to commercial use on the ground floor.

If it is now commercial, how can I get it changed back to residential? (is it complicated?)

I will ask this of the auctioneer when it does come up for sale but I'd like to be able to do as much research in the meantime.
Thanks

1. Commercial. Rates and water charges history may demonstrate this.
2. Check county council website and planning counter.
3. Apply for planning for change of use back to residential. Or seek professional help locally, as you may be able to revert back to full residential without the need for planning. They can check the specifics.

Victor

It would currently be mixed-use / dual-use. Legality of that might be another matter.

Framed10 wrote: »

If there was planning permission given at the time to convert it to commercial use on the ground floor.

Check with council planning department if there was ever a planning permission.

Framed10 wrote: »

How can I find out if the property is now designated residential or commercial.

Check for PP and how the area is designated in the city / county development plan.

Framed10 wrote: »

If it is now commercial, how can I get it changed back to residential? (is it complicated?)

Yes, would likely need planning permission.

Are the two units still internally connected?

Framed10

kceire wrote: »

1. Commercial. Rates and water charges history may demonstrate this.
2. Check county council website and planning counter.
3. Apply for planning for change of use back to residential. Or seek professional help locally, as you may be able to revert back to full residential without the need for planning. They can check the specifics.

Thanks for the information.
I've had a look on the council site, a search under planning counter brings up no results for the address.

BryanF

Framed10 wrote: »

Thanks for the information.
I've had a look on the council site, a search under planning counter brings up no results for the address.

The problem is with the bank. They will look for two mortgages one for domestic and one commercial

Framed10

Victor wrote: »

It would currently be mixed-use / dual-use. Legality of that might be another matter.
Check with council planning department if there was ever a planning permission.

Check for PP and how the area is designated in the city / county development plan.

Yes, would likely need planning permission.

Are the two units still internally connected?

No the stairs internally was removed and an outside stairs at back of property is now in place to access first floor apartment.
Property is situated in city suburbs (a very old established suburb), many housing estates in the area and all residential along the street of the property in question.

Victor

What do you want to do with the property?

Framed10 wrote: »

No the stairs internally was removed and an outside stairs at back of property is now in place to access first floor apartment.

If you want it as a single residence, you will need to look at the costs. Any alterations likely won't be funded by the mortgage, but the bank may be willing to offer a short-term loan. You would of course have to be able to afford both.

Property is situated in city suburbs (a very old established suburb), many housing estates in the area and all residential along the street of the property in question.

Then, in principle, the council is unlikely to have problems with conversion back to a single residence.

BryanF wrote: »

The problem is with the bank. They will look for two mortgages one for domestic and one commercial

Not necessarily. If converted to a single residence, then a single residential mortgage would probably be allowed.

Of course, all this is speculation, and it will be down to the opinion the bank takes.

Framed10

Victor wrote: »

What do you want to do with the property?If you want it as a single residence, you will need to look at the costs. Any alterations likely won't be funded by the mortgage, but the bank may be willing to offer a short-term loan. You would of course have to be able to afford both.

Yes I would like to convert it to a single residence. The only difference between it now and before its commercial use is the removal of the internal stairs. The ground floor rooms/layout etc haven't been changed. It still looks like an empty house internally.

The mortgage would be just to purchase the property, I would fund the renovations separately.

The problem I'm told from my broker would be not getting any mortgage due to the commercial aspect, thats the crux of it.

Framed10

Victor wrote: »

It would currently be mixed-use / dual-use. Legality of that might be another matter.
Check with council planning department if there was ever a planning permission.

Check for PP and how the area is designated in the city / county development plan.

Yes, would likely need planning permission.

Are the two units still internally connected?

what if planning was never sought in first place to change from residential to commercial?
Ive had a look on the map on the Planning Application Point Finder for the city council and there's no info/pin on the map for this property.

Poor Uncle Tom

It may not require planning permission under Class 14 (e) but you would need professional guidance on the ground to answer that definitively, or make your case under a Section 5 application.