Splitting a big house into two properties

[Moirarosesgarden]

We are considering pooling our resources with ageing parents to buy one large property that can be split into two so we have separate entrances/garden space etc.

I think we need planning permission to do this officially?

Has anyone done this and anything we need to be mindful of?

I would advise employing an architect, they will not only have a better idea of lay out, but can help with planning, fire regulations, structural matters and anything else you would never have thought of. A set of architect plans will also give any contractors a clear picture of what you want and will prevent any possible confusion.

I agree with @Slawit an architect is going to be the best person to help. We have a property that has an annex and had been poorly extended multiple times. Our architect looked at the project in a totally different way to us charting the subs progress round the house to determine which room went where. They rebalanced the property to make best use of the space.
What we are getting far exceeds what we imagined we could achieve.

You know what? I'd look at buying two houses next door to each other (attached, with a party wall), and just put an internal door in between the two.

Obviously it would need to be removed properly before anyone sold on, but it gives both households their own home, gardens, etc. And that internal door could be one that you all decide to need to knock on (i.e. before entering), or if it's basically always open and it's free-for-all.

I've got friends who have done this and they all love it. They bought two next-door terrace houses and put a door in between the two kitchens at the back.

Yes you do need planning permission and re assessed for council tax.

Years ago I rented a flat from an elderly lady who'd divided up her home when her husband was alive to provide a totally separate apartment for their newly married daughter. Her husband later died and the daughter moved on leaving her with the problem of finding suitable tenants for what was in effect the upstairs of her home. I sometimes drive past and see that subsequent owners have ended up reconverting it back to a single dwelling.

There are problems with this. Who are the parents leaving their share to in their wills? When the second parent dies, who inherits the house share? Are there other siblings? Who looks after the roof? Who looks after the garden? Who has access to the garden and how? Who has parking rights? I assume this would need a freeholder legal ? Personally, I’d never do it.

Or do it less formally, less permanently, so avoiding council tax and double services bills.
maybe the post all comes to one door, but either the house has a back door for one generation and main door for the other generation or you could create an inner hall way.

I live next door to a house like this. It's a granny flat and a big house in one. It's empty now and has been for sale and for rent for three years at least. I think part of the problem is that the utilities aren't separate.

Thanks all. No siblings so no issues with inheritance split. It will be owned outright 50/50 but would definitely get it all done legally.

I did think of two semis but that limits the likelihood of finding two for sale at the same time.

Yes, friends of mine bought a place like this, it suited her and her mum at the time .
then discovered the separate council tax, imagined it would be easy to reconvert, but no the council was very reluctant to let go of the second property ( a studio granny annex attached to the 3 bed semi house)
and still after 15 years of paying double bills they had to sell it like that. Which was much harder than if it had be a 3 bed semi with a down stairs bathroom and office rooom

I've just looked to,see if it's still on RightMove and it is. It looks desolate in real life. It was a right old carry on initially. Much talk about how many bins they were allowed. And now they can't change it back.

I did think of two semis but that limits the likelihood of finding two for sale at the same time.
It's worth talking to estate agents. I know of two families who have done this (but this is over a number of years, so it's not that common!). Estate agents may be aware that a neighbour is thinking of selling. Of course, it depends on how much flexibility you have over area.