Would you buy a house with an 'annex' in the garden?

[Dailyhandtowelwash]

We have a four bedroom house but one bedroom is really small. We've been looking at options and decided to move, but looking at the market we'll be paying moving costs and stamp duty etc for just a slightly larger fourth bedroom, and probably have to do work to the rest of the house to get it the way we'd like.

We've got a big enough garden to have a garden room at a little distance from the house, and had been thinking of one but we are OK for living space. I've found a company that for less than it would cost us to move does fully liveable garden rooms, including sorting out the planning for you. It would be ideal for us with a child about to go to university so very happy to have a space to chill with their own bathroom.

But would you buy a house with this as a 'fifth bedroom'? Or would it put you off?

Oh yes. Very much so. Perfect space for many things, bedroom for older child, craft space, guest room, playroom / study for younger kids. The list goes on and on

I think separate space is so sellable to a growing family. I would try and squeeze a small open plan kitchenette area in if you can. I would struggle to find it fully useable as a space without both 😄

I would love one

Working from home with a very shouty toddler I would love something like this, I could just go up the garden and stay there all day and come back for dinner. Sadly I think I'll struggle to even get a decent sized shed in ours.

Many houses here have them, we call them a Granny flat. They definitely add value. I have one, my ds lives in it.

I call him my gnome as he lives in the garden

@TooExtraImmatureCheddar

If one child is about to go to university I’m not sure you need either a bigger 4th bedroom or a garden room! Unless you really want one, I mean.

Why not? They're like bloody boomerangs!

What would the cost be if they can't secure planning permission?

How much garden would you have afterwards?

I always feel like they'd be ratty!

Op we are considering the same. Would you mind sharing the company you are considering using? I could pm you?

I would definitely buy a house with an annex if I could afford it! So many options of how to use it! Go for it OP!

We have one of those OP! It's a brick outbuilding only a few metres away from the back doors of the house. It had basic insulation and a basic toilet when we bought the house and the . previous owner used it for hairdressing. We greatly improved it, fully insulated it, added a couple of velix windows and made the toilet into a shower room. It doesn't have a kitchen but it's still brilliant for my teenage son who's been living there since he was 15/16 and was the envy of all his friends.
I don't know if it adds value if we wanted to sell the house...but it can definitely work as a proper bedroom for a teenager.

To do it properly, with full planning permission / building regs so it can be slept in, you won't increase the value by the cost. It might even decrease the value if you lose too much of the garden, or if it has to be wood and doesn't look new / maintained when you come to sell. It may have general appeal now, but out of Covid with people back to school / work (hopefully), maybe less so.

I would love one! We are actively seeking a house with one (or potential to build one) when we move as we need it for an aging relative.

Losing the garden not a big issue as it's under big trees at the end, so not much light. It's not a bit of the garden we spend time in - currently houses a falling-down shed!

We have one. We converted it to a gym
(and now office during lockdown in the gym!). We actually brought this house because of the annenex. I would say it wouldn't put people off as there are different ways to use the space.

I should also say if you find a good builder, you actually won't need to go through planning as there are ways to get round it with 6ft rule (you'll need a builder to explain it!). If you plan on having water running to the annexe then it may impact your council tax band. Gas definitely will.

Another viewpoint for you - I would consider buying a property like this as we have a child with special needs. An annex in the garden would give him semi-independence, whilst not being too far away from the house. A kitchenette (very basic), shower room/bathroom and a sofa bed in the main part would be ideal. It wouldn't need to be enormous, as it wouldn't need space for storage etc.

It could also be used as a business eg counselling, therapies etc.

Amazing home office or gym too.

I'd seriously consider installing a heating/air conditioning system given the increase in temperatures we're seeing in this country in the summer months.

Can't you buy a mobile home and stick it in your garden? No planning issues and a studio flat for your eldest when they visit.

It wouldn’t put me off in the slightest. In fact I’m looking at something like that right now. I has a variety of uses though. For now it will be a bedroom lounge for my two eldest sons. In future a granny flat?

@Chocolatedeficitdisorder

Can't you buy a mobile home and stick it in your garden? No planning issues and a studio flat for your eldest when they visit.

It wouldn't fit! And would be on a slope so not entirely ideal. There's enough flat ground at the end of the garden for a structure but a caravan is a lot bigger.

I've spoken to the company who offer a pre-planning report which sets out similar applications that have been made in my area and the outcomes. I was quite impressed with that. So I'll see what that comes up with. I have also seen info on how you just need to meet building regs rather than get PP in certain circumstances - I assume that's what your builder would look at @CaffineismyBFF.

Sounds like a great idea. They are quite common in some countries.

A yoga studio I know has this (but it's a garden office/has kitchenette/bedroom in it).

Old neighbours are also getting this done - probably garden office.

If there's enough space in the garden then yes I would buy it, if I needed it.