Is anyone moving now?

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Discussion

edc

9,257 posts

253 months

Friday 3rd November 2023
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Keep looking at the old listing pictures or reframe your view without the furniture. The styling and decoration are all relatively easily changed and if you need or want to put a door at the conservatory that won't cost that much in the grand scheme of things either.

pb8g09

2,419 posts

71 months

Friday 3rd November 2023
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kingston12 said:
Indeed. A conservatory as an external add-on is much easier to get permission for than one that is integrated into the house.

Typically, the difference is that you have to to retain external grade doors and windows to cover any openings between the main house and the conservatory and that only certain types of heating can be used.

That 2004 photograph suggests that they built it as an add on. They might have kept the original extneral door and window inside the conservatory just to save the cost of replacing them, but usually it would be be comply with the conditions.

If that's the case and they've just knocked the wall out without getting further permission to have the conservatory integrated as part of the house, then it will be an issue.
Exactly my concern in my first post. I have a similar conservatory, built without planning that has central heating from the main house, but still retains the original french doors from the main house. To absorb it into one would require planning permission (I've been told anyway),so I think long term I'd rather convert my internal garage into a study and kit the conservatory out as a gym as the cold temperatures in winter may become quite welcomed!

rustyuk

4,598 posts

213 months

Saturday 4th November 2023
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pb8g09 said:
kingston12 said:
Indeed. A conservatory as an external add-on is much easier to get permission for than one that is integrated into the house.

Typically, the difference is that you have to to retain external grade doors and windows to cover any openings between the main house and the conservatory and that only certain types of heating can be used.

That 2004 photograph suggests that they built it as an add on. They might have kept the original extneral door and window inside the conservatory just to save the cost of replacing them, but usually it would be be comply with the conditions.

If that's the case and they've just knocked the wall out without getting further permission to have the conservatory integrated as part of the house, then it will be an issue.
Exactly my concern in my first post. I have a similar conservatory, built without planning that has central heating from the main house, but still retains the original french doors from the main house. To absorb it into one would require planning permission (I've been told anyway),so I think long term I'd rather convert my internal garage into a study and kit the conservatory out as a gym as the cold temperatures in winter may become quite welcomed!
Pretty sure it's Build Regs approval that is needed rather than planning.

Hitch

6,108 posts

196 months

Saturday 4th November 2023
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It is against building regs, not planning.

You're not going to get raided though. We looked at a similar house a few years ago and decided that £1500 on a nice set of timber and glass double doors (or even some on-trend crittall style now) and we'd be sorted. We could then have them open flat most of the year and closed in winter.

The rest of the refurb is a matter of price. Most houses are mostly done up diy style, so just make sure you're not paying "full refurbishment by current owners" prices if that's not the case.

Buyers market. Bid in the balls and see what happens.

Jobbo

12,981 posts

266 months

Saturday 4th November 2023
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Lack of building regs consent may not be enforced in reality but it’s an actual problem to live with. It will be too cold in winter and too hot in summer. It’ll be an issue if/when you sell too.

illmonkey

18,272 posts

200 months

Saturday 4th November 2023
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Jobbo said:
Lack of building regs consent may not be enforced in reality but it’s an actual problem to live with. It will be too cold in winter and too hot in summer. It’ll be an issue if/when you sell too.
I have one on my doer-upper and seriously considering removing it. It was fine for about 3 weeks, when the temp was around 20. Summer it was boiling, now it’s colder than outside. My garden is also fairly small, so it’s be good to get the space back! Put up a nice veranda or similar

Add to the fact that the waste goes through it, and there is clearly a problem, as it stinks of last night dinner everyday. yuck

Saying that, it’s good storage for now, as I’m only half done in the house, so can dump stuff in there for a bit, as I go from room to room.

MuscleSedan

1,557 posts

177 months

Saturday 4th November 2023
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pb8g09 said:
I'm sat on the exact same chair as that one at the desk - it cost me new £50 on ebay....
Looks identical to the chairs at the barbers I go to. And that's a shelf, not a desk! Surrounded by some poorly finished walls by the looks of it.

I have a conservatory layout similar to the one shown, albeit on a smaller scale but with doors at the opening. Madness to have it minus doors. The doors are permanently open on ours for probably 2/3 of the year and it's great. But even with a decent sized radiator in ours you never come anywhere close to heating it properly in cold weather. It will make that area of the house feel cold while costing a fortune in energy to attempt to heat it.


MuscleSedan

1,557 posts

177 months

Saturday 4th November 2023
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Just been back through this thread to see that I first posted on it just about a year ago, when our place had been on the market for several weeks with zero interest.

Had a rough time with the first diabolical agent, who were also dealing with the place we wanted to buy. The agents, along with the vendors at the place we wanted turned out to be a total waste of time as far as we were concerned and they ended up taking their place off the market. Anyway, long story short, went with another agent, kept looking, and just exchanged on somewhere that fits the bill with a completion date in a couple of weeks. Still won't believe it until we are in, but to anyone else going through it - hang in there !

After the disastrous first estate agent experience I went with a small one branch local agent owned by a friend of a friend who have been nothing short of amazing. Total can do attitude. Nothing is ever 'later' or 'leave it with us'. It's 'take a seat and I'll get you that answer now'. And they do. Every time. Impressive small business run by sharp people with a mountain of connections to get things done.

Solicitor, again a recommendation from a friend, absolutely brilliant, faultless communication, e-mailing at times has essentially been live chat to get things pushed through.

These people have earnt every single bean of what they charge.







GreatGranny

9,180 posts

228 months

Monday 6th November 2023
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Discendo Discimus said:
On the last page I was ranting about the house we wanted to buy, and that the Estate agents were being a bit useless.

We found the money and offered full asking price £350K, we then waited for another week. Only to be told that the vendors don't want to sell now and will try again in the New Year. I had to phone again for an update by the way, they didn't think it was important to give me a call.

The issue we have, is that there is nothing else in the catchment area for the school we want our little one to go (The Chantry School, Worcestershire) that fits the bill. We need 4 beds, a garage and a garden for circa £350K. There's absolutely naff all.

I now need to tell the person who put in an offer on our house that we're in a tricky situation and it may have to be delayed.
I'm presuming you've seen this?

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/136585196#/...

Needs some updating but walking distance to the school.

jmn

895 posts

282 months

Tuesday 7th November 2023
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https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/uk-house-prices-...

Here's the latest house prices survey by the Halifax.

Greshamst

2,090 posts

122 months

Friday 10th November 2023
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Greshamst said:
Looking at a place this weekend that the other half seems really keen on.

However the current owners only bought it back in Feb 2022, and they’ve put it up at 12% increase without having done any work, it’s identical to 20 months ago.

It doesn’t feel like the past 20 months match a 12% increase in house prices. But hey, as we all know it’s worth what someone is willing to pay.
Well after a week of back and forth we’ve just had confirmation that an offer we made on the place mentioned above has been accepted. We didn’t meet the 12% increase they wanted, ended up at 7.5%.

Good houses in St Albans seem to be untouched by the market drops being seen.

Anyway happy that stage is done. The upward chain still needs to be fully secured but apparently on 2nd viewings on a property ready to make an offer.

Far from home, but fingers crossed


SonicHedgeHog

2,539 posts

184 months

Friday 10th November 2023
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Greshamst said:
Well after a week of back and forth we’ve just had confirmation that an offer we made on the place mentioned above has been accepted. We didn’t meet the 12% increase they wanted, ended up at 7.5%.

Good houses in St Albans seem to be untouched by the market drops being seen.

Anyway happy that stage is done. The upward chain still needs to be fully secured but apparently on 2nd viewings on a property ready to make an offer.

Far from home, but fingers crossed
It’ll look like a bargain shortly. Despite what central bankers say, the markets seem to be pricing in interest rate cuts in the first half of next year. It’s just a question of which bank blinks first. Once rates start falling the market will go bonkers due to ever increasing supply problems and pent up demand.

Greshamst

2,090 posts

122 months

Saturday 11th November 2023
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SonicHedgeHog said:
It’ll look like a bargain shortly. Despite what central bankers say, the markets seem to be pricing in interest rate cuts in the first half of next year. It’s just a question of which bank blinks first. Once rates start falling the market will go bonkers due to ever increasing supply problems and pent up demand.
Hmm in not so sure on that one. We still have very high levels of employment that is helping people stay afloat during all the cost of living inflation.
I believe at some point that employment rate is going to drop because businesses will fold or reduce. This will then have knock on effects of closing more businesses as less people can afford to shop/ live.
The interest rate reduction will only help those that have secure jobs.

But I need a place to live, and I’m not waiting to buy an unknown reduction so here we are. One of us will be right, let’s check in 2026!

Greshamst

2,090 posts

122 months

Tuesday 14th November 2023
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Looking for a bit of reassurance, so thought this thread as good as any…

Discovered that the house has had its permitted development rights removed. The house next door sold part of its garden off, which is where the house is built. So the council removed permitted development rights presumably to avoid issues of overlooking neighbours, or generally causing a nuisance with any additions.

I can see an old owner had to provide full planning permission to put up a shed.

Now I have no desire to add extensions etc, the house looks nice and doesn’t need any additions so it’s not really an issue to me…

Is there anything else I might not be considering?

varsas

4,015 posts

204 months

Tuesday 14th November 2023
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Greshamst said:
Looking for a bit of reassurance, so thought this thread as good as any…

Discovered that the house has had its permitted development rights removed. The house next door sold part of its garden off, which is where the house is built. So the council removed permitted development rights presumably to avoid issues of overlooking neighbours, or generally causing a nuisance with any additions.

I can see an old owner had to provide full planning permission to put up a shed.

Now I have no desire to add extensions etc, the house looks nice and doesn’t need any additions so it’s not really an issue to me…

Is there anything else I might not be considering?
The houses down the road we are in all had permitted development removed, apparently when built (so never had it applied?). It doesn't seem to have been an issue, everyone has built porches/drive ways/garages etc, next door has a two story extension, we have just got planning for a one story extension to the back, the house used to have a conservatory etc. Apart from everything having to go via full planning it doesn't seem to have had any effect. I have looked at all the past plans for every house in the road, I didn't see any which had been denied.

kingston12

5,512 posts

159 months

Tuesday 14th November 2023
quotequote all
Greshamst said:
Looking for a bit of reassurance, so thought this thread as good as any…

Discovered that the house has had its permitted development rights removed. The house next door sold part of its garden off, which is where the house is built. So the council removed permitted development rights presumably to avoid issues of overlooking neighbours, or generally causing a nuisance with any additions.

I can see an old owner had to provide full planning permission to put up a shed.

Now I have no desire to add extensions etc, the house looks nice and doesn’t need any additions so it’s not really an issue to me…

Is there anything else I might not be considering?
Only when you come to sell. Some potential buyers will see it as a downside and will offer less or not at all. In reality it's not a big issue but some people might se it as one.

leef44

4,531 posts

155 months

Tuesday 14th November 2023
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kingston12 said:
Greshamst said:
Looking for a bit of reassurance, so thought this thread as good as any…

Discovered that the house has had its permitted development rights removed. The house next door sold part of its garden off, which is where the house is built. So the council removed permitted development rights presumably to avoid issues of overlooking neighbours, or generally causing a nuisance with any additions.

I can see an old owner had to provide full planning permission to put up a shed.

Now I have no desire to add extensions etc, the house looks nice and doesn’t need any additions so it’s not really an issue to me…

Is there anything else I might not be considering?
Only when you come to sell. Some potential buyers will see it as a downside and will offer less or not at all. In reality it's not a big issue but some people might se it as one.
And for this reason, you could consider getting a planning consultant to consider applying for retrospective planning. If they consider that it would not get it under current guidelines then just leave it.

When you come to sell, isn't the done thing nowadays is to just get indemnity insurance?

talksthetorque

10,815 posts

137 months

Tuesday 14th November 2023
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jmn said:
https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/uk-house-prices-...

Here's the latest house prices survey by the Halifax.
They say it’s up based on house prices for agreed sales

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/news/articles/property...

Asking prices down.

Greshamst

2,090 posts

122 months

Tuesday 14th November 2023
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Thanks all.

Didn’t think it should be too much of an issue, but wanted to make sure.

MuscleSedan

1,557 posts

177 months

Wednesday 15th November 2023
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Currently packing boxes ready for Friday.

Just as well I did not fully appreciate what a monumental task it would be before I started !