Using attic space - advice needed!

[PinkyPonkJuice]

We have an attic which has a hatch and ladder up to it. The previous owners put in velux windows and strengthened the floor joists as part of a conversion that they ended up not doing IYSWIM (they did have planning permission but had a change of circumstance).

We would like to put a computer up there and maybe even a desk but we're not sure where we stand with what is allowed.

I know we can't use it as 'accommodation' and will never have anyone sleep up there, but could we use it as an occasional workspace??

Any advice on what is allowed or who we should ask would be much appreciated. We don't want to do anything illegal or invalidate our insurance. Thanks.

I don't think there's any limit on you putting a desk and computer up there and using it as an "extra bit of space" - my grandparents had a similar attic and we used to play up there all the time when we visited.

I think it would only be a problem if you labelled it as a room if you were selling the house, or if you were using it regularly as a bedroom, largely because it won't meet fire safety regulations.

But I don't think there's any limit on how much time you can spend up there or what you're allowed to do!

Thanks, I thought that would be the case I'm just worried about invalidating our insurance or something, but then I think of a family friend with a similar set up and he uses his attci to build model railways. It seems a bit of a grey area. Just looking on the web, I found a site that said if access is via a ladder you can only use it for domestic storage. Can we 'store' a desk up there?!

Hi PPJ I'm a building control officer so thought I'd advise you.

Unless you have applied for building regs, you should definitely NOT have a desk and or computer up there -even it's for occasional use. This makes the room habitable, I'm afraid.

I don't know if the previous owners did this but Velux windows require an application as you have made a structural alteration, the same applies to strengthening the floor. You can board a loft out without regs, but this has to be for light storage only.

oh how timely! we were thinking of doing the exact same thing

i believe, having googled, that you don't need planning permission for a conversion as long as it's within certain parameters, but i think there are rules regarding stairs and stuff? not sure, maybe elsiepiddock could shed some light on that one too???

elsie, when you say apply for building regs, what does that involve?

p

You're right in that you often won't need planning permission, but to convert a loft into a room you always need building regs.

Briefly - you have to comply with the parts of the regs relating to structure, thermal requirements, stairs and most importantly and often the most tricky, the fire regs. To clarify, you need to provide a protected route from the 2nd floor to the outside air.

Thanks guys

YOu cannot be told what to use the space in your own home for surely, if I want to sleep in the bathroom or put a desk in the loft that is nobody's business but mine.

If you want to sell the house and describe the loft as a study I can see where building regs would come into it, but it strikes me as money for nothing for the local council.

The thing is that lofts are not structurally designed to habitable rooms, so they are potentially unsafe to use as one. In addition, the regulations are there to ensure not only the safety of the building but that in the event of a fire, it would be possible to get out of the house.