With proposed tax breaks on “granny flats” there’s never been a better time to convert your garage.
It was recently announced that Ministers are expected to abolish council tax for “annexes” used by family members to encourage pensioners to move in with relations.
The Communities Secretary, Eric Pickles, said “We are keen to remove tax and other regulatory obstacles to families having a live-in annex for immediate relations,” he then added “We should support home owners who want to improve their properties and standard of living.”
Now this is excellent news for everyone concerned.
Apart from bringing your family closer together, this is also handing you a golden opportunity. The chance to really make the most of your home.
Rather than simply empting your garage and converting it, you can really integrate this development into the rest of your property.
Let me explain.
While a good architect will naturally ensure that your new “granny flat” harmonises with the rest of your home, what is often forgotten is the changes this can cause to your garden and how it can damage that all important ‘curbside appeal’. Not that you’re probably going to want to sell once you’ve just carried out the work, but it is good to plan for the future.
But don’t worry, with judicious placing of small hedges, the laying of fresh lawns and the creation of simple paved paths, what was once an obviously converted garage, quickly becomes an extension that achieves it’s full potential should you at some point wish to sell. Place some small olive trees either side of the new flat’s doorway and you can make a feature of the flats entrance – which is sure to make your relatives feel happier about the move. After all, moving in with family can be stressful for both parties, so anything that can be done to reassure them that they are wanted and will still be able to live a life that independent of you is to be encouraged.
It pays for itself
The government are also planning to scrap the need for households to pay for planning agreements on how the flats are to be used, a saving that’s somewhere in the region of £1000 and that can cover your landscaping costs.
So if you are thinking about creating a “granny flat” don’t be restricted in your thinking, instead see this as an opportunity to bring your family closer together while adding real value to your home.
After all, it’s not every day that you’ll get this sort of help and encouragement from the Government.