Granny Annexe in garden - things to consider?

79 replies

stormsurfer · 24/03/2026 15:21

Looking for advice please about the things I need to consider when putting a granny annexe into my garden for my parents to live in. I’m concerned I may miss some essentials in the building, the services to it and also in establishing boundaries between us.

Has anyone got any tips or suggestions? Any problems that you encountered that I should avoid?

OP posts:

Life0nH0ldPart2 · 01/04/2026 16:31

Things to consider

Suggest

Get power of attorney set up for everyone (ready to use in the future)

Get wills set up for everyone

Your properties may both be liable for their own council tax & utilities. Agree who pays for what.

What happens if the person in the annex needs to go into a care home in the future

What happens if people in the main household want to go away on holidays

What if the person in the annex does not want outside carers

All the other issues discussed in other previous posts

Mogbiscuit · 04/04/2026 08:21

I would only do this if I could afford to build the annex with my own money. Wt could be a good investment when you come to sell. If DM has paid for the annex and needs her money back for care fees or anything else, you will both be in trouble.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 04/04/2026 09:20

Scarlettpixie · 24/03/2026 17:39

There are some awful comments on here. Good on you for doing this OP.

My mum and I both sold properties and bought a large 4 bed with a double garage which we converted into an annex. The utility became a kitchenette. I am an only child so no sibling issues. I left the money she put in to the house back to her in my will and took out extra life insurance so if I died my husband could buy out her share. We also did a deed of trust so that in divorce the money mum put in was excluded from any calculations if we split. The house was in my name.

Looking after her here was much easier than the travelling to and from most days. I could make her meals and check on her. Her difficulties were mobility related after a stroke. We did this for 2 years and had hoped to be able to care for her until she died. However she got vascular dementia and it became no longer possible and she had to go into care. I always thought we’d manage her mobility and forgetting and never expected things to turn out the way they did. I am glad we were able to help for a time though.

I definitely recommend separate living space to anyone considering this. We had considered a garden annex too. We used to eat dinner together all of us. Once it got to 7pm, mum would disappear to watch her soaps and I would pop in around 9 to say good night. I took her a cuppa in the morning and made sure she had something to make herself for lunch (and dinner if we were late/out). As she got more forgetful I used to leave her post its. We spent a lot of time together when I wasn’t working and she would entertain DS while I did bits around the house. They had a lovely relationship.

Your positive experience does not invalidate other people’s less positive experiences. All family dynamics are different, all older people have different care needs.

Branwellgirl · 04/04/2026 16:58

Ilovelurchers · 01/04/2026 11:07

Lots of negativity here towards the idea, but I can see huge benefits.

I lost my father at the beginning of this year. He had suffered from increasingly bad dementia for 10 years. My mom was his primary carer but I was heavily involved too. In the last few months I more or less moved into their him in order to help (was happy to do so).

It would have been SO much easier if they had been that much closer.

I have asked my mom if she would consider us getting a property together if her needs significantly increase, as it would make it much easier for me to provide the care I will actively choose to provide. She is reluctant currently (but still quite well, able to drive etc).

I can't help you with the practicalities of the building or legalities, but I can definitely reassure you that for some family situations it is sensible and a good option.

Everyone's relationship with their mom and dad is different. For those of us happy to provide a substantial amount of care and support, having them close at hand makes perfect sense!

Do you not have to work?

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