Top tips for checking planning rules before buying a property to renovate
When you’re looking for a new home, it’s understandable why you might be drawn to properties that require renovation – a “doer-upper” allows you to put your own stamp on your home from the start, and means you can get it exactly how you want it. The other advantage is that they often tend to have lower sale prices than homes that are fully modernised and ready to go.
However, while a renovation project can be incredibly satisfying to see through – as we know at Bournemouth Constructions having helped many homeowners turn their houses into the homes of their dreams – there are some potential pitfalls to be mindful of.
One of the biggest challenges could be planning rules in your part of Bournemouth, Poole or Christchurch.
The Daily Mail recently shared some tips for buyers looking at properties that they want to renovate to help ensure that, if you do purchase this kind of home, you’re able to make the changes you want to it.
It is possible to search the planning history of any property in the Bournemouth, Poole or Christchurch area through the authority’s website. By doing so, you can find out whether planning permission has been granted or refused for the property you’re considering buying.
As the newspaper pointed out, the likes of loft or garage conversions are often covered by permitted development rules, which means you don’t need planning permission as you aren’t altering the existing footprint of the building.
An exception can be for listed buildings or those in conservation areas, however, so another top tip is to ask your solicitor to confirm whether your prospective new home falls into either of those categories.
Our blog about conservation areas and how they can affect a home renovation project is a useful starting point to help you understand why it’s important to know this before you commit to a property purchase.
You also need to get your solicitor to check whether there are any restrictive covenants attached to the property you’re looking at which could limit what you are allowed to alter about the property, or even what materials you are allowed to use.
One final piece of advice is to take the time to think about what you really want from a home. How much space do you need and what will you use that space for? This can help you work out whether the property you’re considering truly is suitable for your needs.
Here at Bournemouth Constructions, we love helping people turn their houses into homes. So, whether you would like to add space for a home office, create a home gym, have a dedicated kids’ playroom or simply modernise and improve what’s already in place, we can help.
Get in touch with our friendly team today to find out more about the projects we have worked on and to learn how we can support your home refurbishment project. We are happy to provide a quote for any refurbishment you may have in mind to help you create a realistic budget for your project too.
