I've been in UK for just over 2 years so still learning the laws and rules. If I am buying a plot of land to use for multiple tiny homes (whether permanently occupied or rentals), what permission should I have for it?
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With regards to planning permission required to place either a mobile or static home on land there are loop-holes and grey areas. The notion that a home is able to be moved certainly has its benefits for those wishing to site houses on land without gaining relevant permissions. Ultimately, it is up to the person siting the house or structure to be able to defend the placement of the building with local authorities. The ease with which this might be done in the UK varies between councils. No two scenarios are the same. We utilise planning advisers for the sites NaviHo is working on, and are able to connect people to this service if they need advice. The UK is desperately short of an economical housing solution, and reformation is most certainly required. NaviHo aims to help people navigate these issues by providing a comprehensive path. This is something we aim to offer soon.
It is a rather frustrating process, I agree! People should be allowed to live in a way that suits then, not be forced to live in a property they don't want or to pay costs they don't need to. Some of us really do not wan to be part of the rat race and we shouldn't be punish because we have found a better way to get the balance right. In my mind, we are actually making more of a difference to the world by reducing our impact on the environment and by actually getting the work/life balance right.
I agree. Planning seems to be the biggest obstacle to everyone in the UK getting started on realising their dream to live in a Tiny House fulltime.Apart from gaining familiarity with the overall planning process and rules I think there is the added issue of the novelty of Tiny Houses and how these may be misunderstood by individual people on planning committees. UK planning permission decision making seems to be incredibly subjective, with not only local differences in willingness to consider projects but also personal and political agendas and NIMBYism.I don't personally know anyone who has succeeded in getting planning - but then I don't personally know anyone who is living in a Tiny House. I did however know someone a few years ago who is a gamekeeper-turned-poacher when it comes to planning permission. Having spent many years on a planning committee, he went rogue and started a business providing planning consultancy. I may be able to look him up and see if he has any thoughts and tips to help us.
I've read thru the comments on here so far and it seems like the main/first item on our shopping list is to clarify the permissions regarding buying and how/if that differs from permissions on land that you do not own ? To that end, I propose that we all make a focussed effort to seek out one or persons who has already been thru this and knows their stuff and is willing to help us with the fundamental questions. What do you reckon ?
Yes, you can stay in one place for 10 months then move for 2 then return to same place. It's just silly! Especially with the challenges around residential accommodation in big cities like London. It's easy to commute from outside the city so why not make it easier for us to live how we want to. We are helping the environment, the work/life balance and many are working from home which reduces impact and strain on resources. I can see how that could be a concern for you, estate agents love taking advantage of an ignorant client. Gone are the days of transparency and honesty!
I think sites for holiday caravans are 10 months per year, but there are also residential complexes for park / mobile homes that are open 12 months of the year. I was looking at buying a chalet initially as it was the only mortgage -free option I could afford but then 10 month thing is a problem. I did find a site that was 12 months - but their rules (which I suspect were a stipulation of the planning permission) were that no one guest could stay more than 60 days.It is one of the biggest frustrations in the UK. Having watched so many videos of tiny houses elsewhere in the world, where there's never much talk of permission (though lots of talk about composting toilets!!) , it was a disappointment to find that while the home itself solved so many problems, having a place to park seems to be the biggest challenge of all. Even if you have family etc who have room for you, there are rules about that too!I'm now looking at land overseas, where it is also cheaper, but my concern is that an over eager estate agent will gloss over the permissions angle and I may end up owning land I still can't live on!!
Good shout that. I had heard that caravan's and park home's could only be occupied for 10 months of a year though. Wonder how I would get around that as a permanent occupant? Hhmm great feedback though. Thanks for that! Are either of you in tiny homes?
It might be worth looking into what sort of planning a caravan site or park home site has to get - or find a friendly owner who started one who can tell you what process they went through. I would imagine that a plot of land with multiple tiny homes is most likely to be considered to be in the same category by planning authorities.
Exactly what I have been told. I would love to own land and have multiple permanent and/or temporary tiny homes on it. I think the rules are rather limiting in that area currently but hopefully they will ease up soon in the future!
From what I understand you need planning permission to build dwellings on the land.From discussion with a tiny house builder I was told that once you have planning permission to build a dwelling, you can place a tiny house on the land as a "temporary dwelling", and basically just keep on renewing the planning permission and not necessarily have to build the house you have permission for while continuing to live in the tiny house.
I imagine if you were looking to use the land for multiple tiny homes, you would likely need permission to build the same number of static homes, or at least the same number of structures. I was told that if you add a garage to the permission, that could allow for a second tiny on the land.
It seems like a super grey area, so definitely do some more checks and get advice from others, but that's the information I've managed to get so far while I've been looking.
Ready to upgrade your kitchen? Tustin’s top kitchen remodeling experts are here to bring your dream space to life! From sleek modern finishes to warm, rustic touches, our customized designs will create a kitchen that's both functional and beautiful. Let us transform your kitchen into a space that reflects your style and enhances your home’s value.
With regards to planning permission required to place either a mobile or static home on land there are loop-holes and grey areas. The notion that a home is able to be moved certainly has its benefits for those wishing to site houses on land without gaining relevant permissions. Ultimately, it is up to the person siting the house or structure to be able to defend the placement of the building with local authorities. The ease with which this might be done in the UK varies between councils. No two scenarios are the same. We utilise planning advisers for the sites NaviHo is working on, and are able to connect people to this service if they need advice. The UK is desperately short of an economical housing solution, and reformation is most certainly required. NaviHo aims to help people navigate these issues by providing a comprehensive path. This is something we aim to offer soon.
It is a rather frustrating process, I agree! People should be allowed to live in a way that suits then, not be forced to live in a property they don't want or to pay costs they don't need to. Some of us really do not wan to be part of the rat race and we shouldn't be punish because we have found a better way to get the balance right. In my mind, we are actually making more of a difference to the world by reducing our impact on the environment and by actually getting the work/life balance right.
I agree. Planning seems to be the biggest obstacle to everyone in the UK getting started on realising their dream to live in a Tiny House fulltime. Apart from gaining familiarity with the overall planning process and rules I think there is the added issue of the novelty of Tiny Houses and how these may be misunderstood by individual people on planning committees. UK planning permission decision making seems to be incredibly subjective, with not only local differences in willingness to consider projects but also personal and political agendas and NIMBYism. I don't personally know anyone who has succeeded in getting planning - but then I don't personally know anyone who is living in a Tiny House. I did however know someone a few years ago who is a gamekeeper-turned-poacher when it comes to planning permission. Having spent many years on a planning committee, he went rogue and started a business providing planning consultancy. I may be able to look him up and see if he has any thoughts and tips to help us.
I've read thru the comments on here so far and it seems like the main/first item on our shopping list is to clarify the permissions regarding buying and how/if that differs from permissions on land that you do not own ? To that end, I propose that we all make a focussed effort to seek out one or persons who has already been thru this and knows their stuff and is willing to help us with the fundamental questions. What do you reckon ?
Yes, you can stay in one place for 10 months then move for 2 then return to same place. It's just silly! Especially with the challenges around residential accommodation in big cities like London. It's easy to commute from outside the city so why not make it easier for us to live how we want to. We are helping the environment, the work/life balance and many are working from home which reduces impact and strain on resources. I can see how that could be a concern for you, estate agents love taking advantage of an ignorant client. Gone are the days of transparency and honesty!
I think sites for holiday caravans are 10 months per year, but there are also residential complexes for park / mobile homes that are open 12 months of the year. I was looking at buying a chalet initially as it was the only mortgage -free option I could afford but then 10 month thing is a problem. I did find a site that was 12 months - but their rules (which I suspect were a stipulation of the planning permission) were that no one guest could stay more than 60 days. It is one of the biggest frustrations in the UK. Having watched so many videos of tiny houses elsewhere in the world, where there's never much talk of permission (though lots of talk about composting toilets!!) , it was a disappointment to find that while the home itself solved so many problems, having a place to park seems to be the biggest challenge of all. Even if you have family etc who have room for you, there are rules about that too! I'm now looking at land overseas, where it is also cheaper, but my concern is that an over eager estate agent will gloss over the permissions angle and I may end up owning land I still can't live on!!
Good shout that. I had heard that caravan's and park home's could only be occupied for 10 months of a year though. Wonder how I would get around that as a permanent occupant? Hhmm great feedback though. Thanks for that! Are either of you in tiny homes?
It might be worth looking into what sort of planning a caravan site or park home site has to get - or find a friendly owner who started one who can tell you what process they went through. I would imagine that a plot of land with multiple tiny homes is most likely to be considered to be in the same category by planning authorities.
Exactly what I have been told. I would love to own land and have multiple permanent and/or temporary tiny homes on it. I think the rules are rather limiting in that area currently but hopefully they will ease up soon in the future!
From what I understand you need planning permission to build dwellings on the land. From discussion with a tiny house builder I was told that once you have planning permission to build a dwelling, you can place a tiny house on the land as a "temporary dwelling", and basically just keep on renewing the planning permission and not necessarily have to build the house you have permission for while continuing to live in the tiny house.
I imagine if you were looking to use the land for multiple tiny homes, you would likely need permission to build the same number of static homes, or at least the same number of structures. I was told that if you add a garage to the permission, that could allow for a second tiny on the land.
It seems like a super grey area, so definitely do some more checks and get advice from others, but that's the information I've managed to get so far while I've been looking.