How do you buy a house that’s currently 2 flats

7 replies

jimmyeatworld · 18/08/2025 08:01

We would want to convert it back to one house.
I have 200k in the bank. The flat were in atm is worth about 170k. Could I buy this and husband gets a standard residential mortgage on the other flat ?
Or because it’s 2 dwellings would we have to apply for development finance ?

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Blimeyblighty · 18/08/2025 08:02

Do you currently own one flat and want to buy the neighbouring flat?

Original poster

jimmyeatworld · 18/08/2025 08:06

Blimeyblighty · 18/08/2025 08:02

Do you currently own one flat and want to buy the neighbouring flat?

No we are renting the flat we’re in and upstairs renting theirs

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AllJoyAndNoFun · 18/08/2025 08:19

The issue is that you may not be able to convert them back into one house as some councils don’t like reducing the number of units. It would be worth checking precedent in your area before proceeding. A planning consultant could probably help here. It may also work out cheaper just to buy an equivalent house- I did look into this in London a long time ago- I owned the LG floor flat and garden and was going to buy upstairs and create a duplex but it just didn’t add up once you took into account the construction costs.

Parksinyork · 18/08/2025 08:20

Are either of them for sale?

Original poster

jimmyeatworld · 18/08/2025 08:34

Thanks. So the current owners (there is 4 owners, live in London, we’re in south staffs) initially applied to demolish the existing house and put 2 four bed houses on the plot, it was denied due to the locals not liking it as it’s not in keeping with the village. So as far as I’m aware they’re just renting while figuring out what to do.
The estate agents will basically ask if they want to sell and go from there…

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MollyButton · 18/08/2025 08:43

The way I have known people do similar is: they bought their flat, they then bought the freehold, then when the second flat came on the market they bought that.
But you would also need planning permission. You can approach the council to get outline planning permission which gives you an idea whether or not they will accept this change. And you can do this even though you do not own the property.

But also the owner may still be holding on to redevelop the site.

Original poster

jimmyeatworld · 18/08/2025 09:26

Yeah they could be ! We had someone turn up for a bat survey not long ago. We’ve got loads of bats here so as far as I’m aware that might cause issues with any demolishing

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