Planning permission

[JamesDelayneysTattoos]

The house were considering to buy isn't quite big enough downstairs so we could only realistically buy it if we are able to extend.

Do you need planning permission to extend one story and if so do you apply for that before you buy the house? If we can't extend we can't live there so it is a deal breaker.

Yes your need for planning permission isn't dependent on the number of storeys, it's dependent on the % increase...... so you can often do things like put a porch on.

I doubt if a buyer will take their house off the market whilst you draw up plans and submit them, but you can do research such as finding out what has been allowed in the street / nearby. You can also go on their website or ring them up and find out the 'rules'. They will also give you an indication that X or Y isn't likely to be allowed, but they can't see why Z wouldn't be (although that wouldn't be binding, it would give you a 'feel' for if it might be doable.

Thank you. Needs thinking about then.

Is it a small enough extension to do within permitted development? You can submit for planning before purchasing the property but remember you don't own the permission- it comes with the property so by gaining the planning you effectively could make the house you wish to purchase more valuable/saleable attracting other buyers...

JDT we got planning permission before we bought the house BUT we were very aware that the permission didn't belong to us but we were very invested (emotionally and financially) in this house but the delays were being caused by further up the chain, with the house the sellers were buying, we were chain free in rented but the sellers wanted to sell to us but we didn't have anything on paper

BUT it was very important to build the extensions as soon as we had keys as builder etc was ready and waiting and the house wouldn't have been suitable if we couldn't extend as we wanted

It does make it very stressful cos if we lost the house we would give them a house to sell with planning permission etc

So your options are to go to council and speak to planning office with your ideas to see if they agree in principal or bite the bullet and get permission but make friends with sellers to hopefully make it harder for them to pull out

Good luck ---- great name btw

Thank you RTKanga it's new.

Vendors are moving into their new detached house that they've just built next door. The chap is a builder in his 70's but still working every day.

I'll have a look on the council or give them a ring tomorrow. The room sizes are just too small if we can't extend so we do have to know before we buy the house.

Thank you