I'm a property expert that still remembers the days when having broadband was a selling point! My articles cover issues that homesellers face in the UK and answer the questions we're all asking. I've bought and sold properties and helped others do the same, so my writing comes from years of experience.
Read Full Bio >Got a generous garden and thinking about creating a separate home? Done well, it can release meaningful value, but it requires clear planning, honest costing and a realistic exit plan, as our CEO, Shepherd Ncube, explains in a recent MSN Money article. Here are the key points:
1) Planning permission
New dwellings in gardens are not permitted development. You’ll need full planning permission, and the real cost of that sits in professional input (planning consultant, architect/designer and, where needed, tree/ecology specialists) which can easily exceed £5,000.
2) Space, design and access
Local authorities focus on privacy, amenity space, character of the area, and safe access to the road. Expect scrutiny of drainage/utilities, flood risk, daylight/sunlight, parking and fire safety.
3) Build costs
In today’s market, a realistic allowance is £1,750–£3,000 per m², varying with complexity and finish.
4) Funding
Lenders usually require the title to be split so they can take a charge over the plot. If you have an existing mortgage, check whether part-repayment or a second charge is more cost-effective.
5) Self-build vs. sell with permission
- Self-build: captures more of the uplift but brings time, risk and cash exposure
- Permission-then-sell: lower risk, lower reward is a faster route to certainty and attractive for ‘time-poor’ owners
- A third option is custom build (developer manages heavy lifting while buyers personalise)
6) Tax
A project viewed as trading (build-to-sell) can be taxed as income; longer-term hold/sale typically falls under CGT. Private Residence Relief applies only with genuine occupation (evidence such as council tax, utilities, electoral roll). Always seek specialist advice early and keep thorough records.
Springbok’s takeaway
Garden development can unlock value and lifestyle benefits, but success rests on thorough preparation; a design that meets policy, and a route that fits your risk, timescale and funding. For many, securing consent and then selling provides the certainty that today’s market rewards.
Find out more by reading the full article at: https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/how-to-build-and-sell-a-house-in-your-garden/ar-AA1NwtLc
