What are the rules with regards to extending if it's a downstairs maisonette?

[LaurieFairyCake]

I know what they are with a house but if you bought a flat downstairs with a big garden (and a share of the freehold) do the same rules apply?

If so I could move to this flat I've seen and put a large extension/conservatory on it and it would be bigger than my current (tiny) cottage.

[lalalonglegs]

You need planning consent (and party wall agreements) to extend any sort of flat.

[LaurieFairyCake]

Interesting you need planning consent when you don't need it for houses. It's the whole of the downstairs so not attached to anyone elses wall though - it's basically a detached house, 2 flats - upstairs and downstairs.

[lalalonglegs]

Flats don't have permitted development rights so you will always need planning consent - it doesn't mean that getting it won't be very straightforward and a bit of a formality but, unlike houses, there is always a chance that even a small extension could compromise someone else's home.

I wouldn't let it put me off buying a flat that had lots of potential to extend but I would check out the neighbours first and see if the person/people living upstairs were likely to be pita about it.