Changing a property is an exciting prospect capable of improving its value in several ways. Something you may not know however is that there are many rules in place here. You have to ensure that you are able to make your changes legally. The team at Finefair Ltd can help by providing advice and guidance. We have worked with countless clients who have wanted to enhance their properties. We can offer you information on the sort of permitted developments Merton allows and more.
An introduction to PDRs
When someone wants to change their property, they often need planning permission even for simple things. But, there are times when this isn’t the case due to permitted development rights (PDRs). These are freedoms the government give for an array of projects. They make it much easier to do certain things with a building, reducing your costs and the workload. For example, in parts of the UK you can build an extension without permission as long as you meet the conditions.
If you want to modify your property in some way, you should begin by looking at the available PDRs. Any you can use will save you a fair amount of effort, time, and money on projects. Saying this, you must take care and examine the specific rules for your area. Local authorities can make changes to PDRs or completely withdraw them with Article 4 Directions. It is a good idea to check these too because they can be very specific.
Can developments be limited in other ways?
There is more than just the Article 4 Directions getting in the way of the permitted developments Merton allows though. You also need to take into account things like listings, tree preservation orders (TPOs), and conservation areas. Such policies exist to protect the natural environment and character of an area.
Merton has a total of 28 conservation areas in its boundaries. Each one comes with a management plan and rules to conserve them. Due to this fact, people normally need planning permission if they want to change their property in some way.
Furthermore, if your property comes with a statutory or local listing, these will also limit what you can do. You will need planning permission for most projects here too. This is particularly true if you plan any kind of demolition or cosmetic changes.
TPOs and rules to safeguard Merton’s biodiversity restrict what we are able to do with some buildings too. You are going to need permission for projects that will affect certain habitats and trees.
Contact us about permitted developments in Merton
The people at Finefair Ltd understand that property alternations can lead to more value. It can boost your rental income by providing more living space. In London especially, this is true as there is high demand for housing but supply can’t keep up. We can aid clients who want to invest in these projects. It could be an HMO conversion, extension, or change of use.
We are able to support clients as they examine the options for those permitted developments Merton has on offer. There could be some excellent opportunities for you. If you do decide to move forward, we will help you with the likes of property management and guaranteed rent too.
So, feel free to get in touch with us today if you are currently deciding what to do with your properties; we will give you the help you need.
