Homeowners can build property extensions without planning permission

Planning permission can be a real issue for homeowners, with time consuming red tape sometimes meaning it can actually be easier, or quicker, to move to a new property.

Planning permission laws changed in 2014, with temporary rules allowing homeowners to add an extension without having to apply for planning. The measures proved popular, and have now been made permanent.

How much can you extend a house without planning permission?

Homeowners can now build a single-storey rear extension on their property of up to six metres for terraced or semi-detached homes, or eight metres for detached homes, without applying for planning permission.

What does this mean for landlords?

Since relaxing the rules for planning permission in 2014, over 110,000 extensions have been built. This is a great benefit for landlords as they have greater flexibility in tailoring their rental property to attract tenants, plus could help keep those tenants in the property longer term.

Is it only residential properties affected?

Under the permitted development rights, property owners will be allowed to convert shops into offices without having to go through the planning process. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government have also softened planning rules to allow high street shops, offices and betting shops to temporarily change to certain community uses such as libraries or public halls.

Housing Minister, Kit Malthouse, said: “These measures will help families extend their properties without battling through time-consuming red tape.

“By making this permitted development right permanent, it will mean families can grow without being forced to move.

“This is part of a package of reforms to build more, better, faster and make the housing market work – and sits alongside our drive to deliver 300,000 homes a year by the mid 2020s.”