Wwyd - neighbour converted house into flats?

[Ladyface]

I live in a semi- detached house and I've just discovered that my adjoining neighbour has converted his first floor into a two bed flat ( have seen it for rent on Rightmove). Does this not need planning permission as I have not had anything from the council about it? If it does, and he has not got the relevant consents wwyd? (he has previous form for doing stuff without buildings regs etc)

It is advertised as including all bills and council tax which leads me to believe that it has not been properly converted with separate utilities etc. he has also not used a local estate agent but one miles out of the area.

Disclaimer: I am not trying to be a nosy neighbour but am just concerned about the fire/safety and noise aspects of this having previously had neighbours from hell.

I would ring the council tomorrow and enquire. I think it surely does need permission and definately needs proper fire doors and exits etc. If he has form for doing stuff half cock then you could be saving lives by reporting it. No exaggeration. Bet he hasn't got electrical safety certificates or the correct cjecking of heating/boliers either?

My council has a website where you can check planning applications. If he hasn't got planning in place then you are well within you rights to report him. I would check the website and then make an anonymous call to the local planning dept, providing them with the Rightmove link.

You are not being a nosey neighbour, you are helping prospective tennants from renting somewhere illegal.

Not a planner but I don't think you need planning consent for internal works, but if there are structural works it could need building regs.

He could be in breach of his mortgage arrangement (if he has one).

I'm pretty sure you need planning to change from flats to house/house to flat - worth checking on the council website.

He is a retired builder but I think his knowledge of current legislation wrt safety regulations is outdated. Last year he started knocking out his chimney breast. The first we knew of it was when the wall started vibrating and brick dust was flying out of our chimney and light fittings! Dh went round to see what was going on and he was up a ladder with cigarette in one hand and a pneumatic drill in the other!

He was adamant he didn't need buildings regs but we called the council to check as we were worried the whole chimney would come down. The council visited him and he got billed for £300. At this point we realised that he can be a very nasty and aggressive man.

I think he should have had a party wall agreement for that shouldn't he? Have you had the work checked? It could affect the value of your house.
Definately shop him!

Yes you do need planning to go houses to flats - this is considered a change if use. But increasing the number of bedrooms in a flat I am almost (almost!) certain you don't.

Re the chimney, he should have arranged a Party Wall Agreement as well.

Of use!

I had a look at the council website and it says they don't look into anonymous reports unfortunately. I am going to call them tomorrow and see if there are any planning applications for that address.

I would say that building regs are definitely needed, if he has created an additional kitchen/bathroom it would need a new extractor fan as a minimum and that is stipulated by building regs.

I would suggest you search for planning and then also speak to building control at the council. As you found out before they have 'teeth' and can act.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I will speak to the council in the morning and keep you posted.

Update: found a bit on the local council website where you can check planning applications and there is nothing at that address. Went to look at the estate agents website to print off the details and it has now been let.

I know what I have to do but am dreading any recurpussions.

I mean repurcussions!

You need to apply for Change of Use.

A house (ordinary semi) in our road was turned into flats and following some pressure the council made them put it back as they had not been granted change of use.

The thing is, they might be able to apply for it retrospectively, and councils are under pressure to increase the number of homes in their borough.

Has he put a kitchen in a converted loft space? That would be against regs without a fire escape, I think.

Call the council planning dept and ask about Change of Use for that address.

I've just reread this!

I misread it as changing a one bed flat into a two bed flat.

You would need change of use and therefore planning consent as you are materially changing the current existence and therefore that is NOT permitted development.

Conversely you do not need consent for splitting a bedroom into 2 - unless you trigger into a HMO and that is a whole different ball game!

I am so sorry for any confusion! I must have been tired last night!!!

It's all on one floor. His house has a double storey side extension so there is a lot of room upstairs. I don't think he's touched the loft (yet).

You absolutely do need planning permission to covert a house into flats. Other issues might be building regulations and council tax stuff. You should complain to council- perhaps explain the trouble you have had with him in the past and they could be sensitive with your details. You should know however if he sought planning and you objected your comments would be public. Good luck.