What can an Annex be used for?

[Ellie2015]

Hi we were only looking for a 4 bed house and actually one has come up which was originally 4 bed but the seller has also built a self contained annex in the rear side. That had chopped off garden which we always wanted a large one. The house otherwise ticks other criteria such a location and condition. Pricey as the agent is selling it as a 6 bed as apposed to 4 bed.

We are wondering if anyone can give us any idea on what a 2 bed fully self contained annex be used for in future for a small family? I don’t want to be renting as that would perhaps evade our privacy to some extent. What else can it be used for? Any bright ideas?? Thanks in advance

I’m a childminder and would totally love that to work from!

My pil built one for us to stay in when we go visit (they live abroad though)

How old are the children?
I would either give it over to them as a their own self contained house
That would teach a fantastic but of independence and offer them privacy for when they have friends over. Or alternatively move in there yourselves and have a bedroom and dressing room suite and a grown up private living room.

You could reintegrate it into the main house? Studies, playrooms, craft rooms, the uses are endless.
Watch out for two separate council tax charges, one for the main house, one for the annexe, which sound as if they might apply.

We’re in the middle of buying a house with an attached annexe. It gives enough space for a bedroom each. We’re putting out eldest teenager (17) in there. I’ll use the kitchen for a laundry and the living space will probably be an office.

Tip- have a look at Multiple Dwellings Relief

I know you don't want to rent, but Air bnb is an option if you want or need to make money from it.

Otherwise, either integrate or use. Its perfect for private, separate space. For elderly parents, frequent over night visitors, teenagers, working from home etc.

Integration can be tricky and expensive if structural stuff is involved. Plus the tax issue if it is a separate dwelling.

Quite useful tips there. Thank you all.

Great for visitors who might want to stay a while longer than normal. I would love one for when my sister comes from Australia. 😁

If you live in area with lots of out of town commuters you could get passive income by letting it out mon-fri to someone.

Music practice
Office /Study
Guest room
Teen Den

I'd quite like to live in it myself and let the rest of them fend for themselves for a bit.

More seriously, I'd probably like to let one of our post Uni kids live in it independently if that was something they wanted to do, perhaps even with rent applying. Not sure how easy it is going to be for them to find jobs and houses once they leave given the way things are. Would be nice if they were able to have independent living space.

Stashing elderly relatives?

A yoga studio?

A teenager pad?

If such an annex magically appeared in my garden we would have an office each and then use the bedrooms for guests.
Maybe one of them could be a gym.

I have just noted the advert. They say if not used then it’s well linked with the main house! This estate agent is quite cheeky one who keeping presenting an extra study or any other space as additional bed room but here there is indeed two beds apparently in the Annex which originally was conservatory when it was sold as 4 bed and 4 reception! About 10 years ago

Some great ideas there. Thank you

I’d put my teenage son in their with all his music equipment. Maybe in a few years my mum, when she needs a bit more support.
Or I would love to have it as a workspace. A separate office would be amazing.
I’m pretty sure you’ll find a use for it!

Oh, or maybe use it as a gym if you’re sporty

Look into multiple dwelling relief. You will receive a million letters in the past along you to go through various companies but I suggest you do it yourself. The helpline was very helpful when I called with questions.

If it's capable of being lived in, independent of the main house, you might be charged council tax - worth finding out before you buy.

As above post said, you may have to pay council tax on the annexe and the main house assuming the property is in England.

We have an annexe but it's detached from the house. It had running water laid on so the council put it up one band on the council tax. We spent some money doing it up and now use it as an Airbnb. If you chose to Airbnb yours, as it's attached to your main house, it could be taxed under the Rent a room scheme. First £7.5k (I believe) tax free.

@EasyPeasyHappyCheesy Very interesting about the Multiple Dwelling issue. We pay extra council tax on our annexe so this could be one determining factor. Do you know if Multiple Dwelling reduction in SDLT can be applied for retrospectively ?

Hiding.

Also re council tax, if the current owners built it and if it doesn't incur a separate charge for CT they are probably paying CT at a lower band than you will have to. At least the last time I had cause to look at this if you renovate/extend a property a new banding is only applied when you sell. If the agents have either advertised the CT band or told you what current owners are paying it could be wrong for a subsequent buyer. I would check with the council themselves.

@EasyPeasyHappyCheesy - we have recently purchased our house with an attached annexe. It has a separate entrance door and no internal doors to the main house and we do pay separate Council Tax. The previous owners occasionally let it out on AirBnB (we live in a coastal town) but we are unlikely to do so.

However as you pointed out, we are getting lots of letters from (ambulance chasing type of solicitors from around the UK) stating that we could claim approximately £10,000 in SDLT....they don’t state their fees.

May I ask for the number of the helpline you called? I’d like to do what you did and try and do it myself. I’ve held off a bit (I know we have a year from date of purchase) as we still have our other house to sell and don’t know how to best claim the extra 3% SDLT we had to pay and how this relates to the annexe; our stamp duty was £47,000 (gulp).