u/Chemical_Net8258

This is a long one, and I’m been down a whirlwind of options and solutions. The problems of trying to something legitimate here.

I have a family house in London, which we moved out from decades ago and instead of renting it as one, I divided the main building in to 2 dwellings (flat 1 and flat 2) separate access, self contained 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom flat with separate billing and council tax. At the same time I have also had made a guest house when I was living there in about 2007, which has separate garden access, and it was used as my office for a long time and on off till date. And with the occasional nights staying there when I or visit London. I did get building permissions when making this outbuilding. It has its own heating system, kitchen and bathroom, and 2 rooms in total. I have never rented this out before. Fast forward to 2026. My one tenant, single mother with 2 kids cannot afford the 2 bedroom flat rent since over a year and has been attempting to downsize but there’s nothing cheaper in London, given the current conditions. I thought that I can empty out my occasional use annexe, it can be labelled at as a 1 bedroom flat and given her circumstance I’m happy to give it to her on a lower rent which solves her problems.

Now I had never added a fence in the garden to divide the garden in 2 (half for annexe, half for downstairs flat). I am in the process of doing work in the house where I wanted to make the garden of the downstairs fully private from the annexe garden, with an additional layer of privacy and security as I would rent out my 2 bedroom flat again as well.

Now I’m a bit conflicted legally, I have discussed with 2 different architects and I’m getting conflicting answers. I don’t know if I legally can divide the garden and rent the annexe. The annexe doesn’t have a council tax, should I treat the downstairs flat and the annexe as a same dwelling? Legally I am aware I need to get change of use permission from the council. Can I make my annexe a flat 3? Has anyone done anything of the sorts especially in London? And what would be the best way to go about this? I am aware of the ruling of 10 years to prove the self contained flat was in use with bills on my name, company activity and even pictures dating back. So this part I think won’t be an issue but I dont exactly know what I should even be applying for and renting out an annexe. Can I have a gas stove in the annex as well?

Any suggestions, ideas of processes will be helpful.

This is a long one, and I’m been down a whirlwind of options and solutions. The problems of trying to something legitimate here.

I have a family house in London, which we moved out from decades ago and instead of renting it as one, I divided the main building in to 2 dwellings (flat 1 and flat 2) separate access, self contained 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom flat with separate billing and council tax. At the same time I have also had made a guest house when I was living there in about 2007, which has separate garden access, and it was used as my office for a long time and on off till date. And with the occasional nights staying there when I or visit London. I did get building permissions when making this outbuilding. It has its own heating system, kitchen and bathroom, and 2 rooms in total. I have never rented this out before. Fast forward to 2026. My one tenant, single mother with 2 kids cannot afford the 2 bedroom flat rent since over a year and has been attempting to downsize but there’s nothing cheaper in London, given the current conditions. I thought that I can empty out my occasional use annexe, it can be labelled at as a 1 bedroom flat and given her circumstance I’m happy to give it to her on a lower rent which solves her problems.

Now I had never added a fence in the garden to divide the garden in 2 (half for annexe, half for downstairs flat). I am in the process of doing work in the house where I wanted to make the garden of the downstairs fully private from the annexe garden, with an additional layer of privacy and security as I would rent out my 2 bedroom flat again as well.

Now I’m a bit conflicted legally, I have discussed with 2 different architects and I’m getting conflicting answers. I don’t know if I legally can divide the garden and rent the annexe. The annexe doesn’t have a council tax, should I treat the downstairs flat and the annexe as a same dwelling? Legally I am aware I need to get change of use permission from the council. Can I make my annexe a flat 3? Has anyone done anything of the sorts especially in London? And what would be the best way to go about this? I am aware of the ruling of 10 years to prove the self contained flat was in use with bills on my name, company activity and even pictures dating back. So this part I think won’t be an issue but I dont exactly know what I should even be applying for and renting out an annexe. Can I have a gas stove in the annex as well?

Any suggestions, ideas of processes will be helpful.