Apartment conversion

crunchy62

Okay, I was using part of my house for business but this year I decided to shut down and convert the area to an apartment for a long term let. Over the years when business was good, I built on a couple of extra rooms, one at the rear and one at the side ... never got planning! I always intended applying for retention at some stage but to be honest I couldn't afford to stop working while waiting for permission to build on. Now it's come back to haunt me.
1. I need to get an extra ESB meter installed for the apartment but it seems I need planning for the apartment to get the meter
2. If I apply for planning now it will take months and then another 12 weeks or more for the meter install. I can't afford to be without an income that long!
3. If I apply for planning now I'll have to pay for plans to be drawn up, application fee, development costs!!
I know, I know! ... I should have got planning years ago but I didn't so it is what it is.

My partial solution ... agree an electricity contribution with the tenant until I sort out out planning and meter. Then work out an average monthly cost based on the tenants first couple of bills and then refund or recoup amount based on amount already paid by the tenant prior to getting the meter in.

Anyone got any advise on this? Also what form of heating should I go for in the apartment .. electricity, oil or gas?

I'm in a rural area by the way.

Thanks in advance

BryanF

Hi we obey the law in this forum