Extension/covenant

[CanIExtend]

Does this covenant from when the house was built in 1991 prevent me from building an extension of the total floor area for the ground and 1st floor combined is aprox. 66 square meters?

thank you in advance for any advice!

That is how I’ve read it OP.

Covenants can, in theory, be discharged I believe. Could you contact the owner of the restrictive covenant (I’m guessing the builder in this case) to find out the fees for this? Has anyone on your estate done any extensions?

Sorry, I’m slightly confused - how big is the extension you want to build and how large will that make your habitable space in total?

It prevents an extension which will take your floor area above that amount. I would suggest that your existing sqm is below this amount. Check your deeds or EPC for your current sqm

Think so, and would also include any potential loft or garage conversion.

Does it define 'gross habitable floorspace'?

In planning terms, habitable space would include reception-type rooms and bedrooms, but not kitchens, bathrooms, utility, hallways etc

Is your property on an estate? Have any others been extended?

I live in a housing estate from the 90s. It has a restricted covenant preventing any extension or changes outside including sky dishes. No one follows it. Half the houses have extensions or conservatories.

I was told it’s there for the original builder to stop anyone making visible changes while they are selling new builds. They have not enforced it for the last 20 years.

So the question is have anyone extended? Our architect and builder both said what it means in practice around here is we don’t have permitted development. Everything must have planning approval.

Thank you for your replies. I’ve checked this morning and the “gross habitable area” includes garages (so garage conversions are ok), but excludes conservatories as they are considered “temporary”.

the gross habitat floor area of my property including garage is 67.35 sq m. So in theory that would prevent any property for having any extension (assuming other properties on the estate have the same covenant).

there are a few properties that have extended. One has doubled the size from the original build. So hopefully I’ll be able to get around the covenant and it’s as @BringOnSummerHolidays said above to stop changes whilst the development is still underway.