Can I Live In My Parents’ Garden?

If you are thinking about living in your parent’s garden and are wondering about the rules for it, you will find detailed guidance through the following blog post. First, we will address the question of whether or not you can live in your parent’s garden. Then, we will explore the conditions that may permit you to live in their garden, the options available as well as explore some potential costs.

Can I Live In My Parents’ Garden?

Yes, you can live in your parent’s garden. With rising rental prices, it is becoming quite common for children to move back in with their parents if they can’t afford to rent a place of their own. At the same, they require an independent space and consider having a liveable yet separate place without having to worry about rental payments.

There are many options available to those who are planning to live in their parent’s garden. While some people choose to modify an existing space such as a shed or a granny annexe to meet their needs, others may need to start from scratch in installing or constructing a liveable space in their parent’s garden.

Then there are some creative solutions to having a liveable space for yourself in your parent’s garden. If you already have a motorhome or a caravan, you may be able to park it in your parent’s garden and live in it.

That said, each of these options would require permission from your local council and Planning Permission; plus you would need to consider that any construction that is being carried out meets Building Regulations.

In addition to this, you will need a planning consultant to advise, budget and in most cases construct the living space for you.

Can I Build A House In My Parent’s Garden?

Yes, you can build a house in your parent’s garden as long as the space is large enough for a separate dwelling (even if it is smaller in size than the main house) to be constructed.

If you intend to build a house in your parent’s garden, you will also need to make sure of the following:

• You should get permission from your local council and Planning Permission.
• You will need to follow the policies laid out in the Local Plan of your council authority.
• Your proposed design should not infringe on your neighbour’s rights; such as blocking sunlight.
• The design of the house should meet the character of the neighbourhood or it may be rejected.
• There will be an ecological survey of the land where you intend to build a house to check if there are protected flora and fauna.
• If you have a sustainable drainage system built into your design, it will increase the chances of your design being approved by Planning Permission.

How Much Will It Cost To Build A House In My Parent’s Garden?

The cost of building a house in your parent’s garden will mainly depend on the size of the house and the material to be used; as well as the cost of the labour. According to an article in The Mirror, a teenager managed to save a lot on labour costs and did most of the construction work himself while building a house for himself in his parent’s garden.

Here is a list of potential expenses to be incurred (as per the cost of material shared in the article) when you consider building a house in your parent’s garden. Needless to say, these can be adjusted according to your requirements and budget:

• Paint £50
• Windows and doors £50
• All timber £2,000
• Roof sheets and fixings £450
• Insulation £300
• Kitchen £200
• Decking £ 100
• Plumbing £250
• Electrics £800
• Appliances £500
• Carpet/flooring £160
• Cladding £350
• Log Burner £400
• Screws £50
• Toilet £120
• Guttering/water £55
• Shower tin/shower tray £165

According to this, you can expect to spend at least £5000 to £7000 when you construct a house to live in your parent’s garden.

Conclusion:

The above discussion not only helps to conclude that you can live in your parent’s garden but also provides options on how to go about it. However a decision can only be made based on your requirements, budget and whether you intend to live in your parent’s garden temporarily or for some time in the future as well.

References:

Can I Live In A Log Cabin In My Parents’ Garden? Building An Annexe For An Elderly Relative UK

I’m a planning expert and here is how you turn your luxury shed into an extra bedroom – WITHOUT permission | The Sun

Can I build a house in my garden – JVB Construction

Can You Live or Sleep in a Garden Room? | Crown Pavilions