Neighbour putting up huge chalet in back garden Q Last weekend our next door neighbour took delivery of a huge wooden chalet in the back garden. Frankly, it's unsightly with its orangey pine and we suspect one of the family is going to move in. Surely this is not allowed.
ANow that spring is here, garden rooms, or large, posh sheds are springing up like daffodils in suburban gardens. They are subject to planning regulations which permits them without obtaining planning permission if they are less than four metres in height, (with a tiled or slated pitched roof), or three metres (with flat roof) and can have a floor area of up to 25sq m.
In other words, quite large and the companies who sell these garden rooms - or at least the ones we've come across - are quick to point out the planning implications of the size of building they're selling. It can't take up the entire garden either - you cannot reduce the private open space below 25sq m.
Size apart, to be exempt from planning, the structure must not be used for any commercial purposes and can certainly not be lived in.
So you should keep an eye on that and get on to the planning department in your local authority if someone does move in. Local authorities have served demolition notices on cabins which contravene planning regulations. As for the orangey pine - give it six months and it'll have faded, a bit at least.
If I pay boyfriend rent will I co-own the apartment?
QMy boyfriend has asked me to move in with him. He owns an apartment while I share a rented house with friends. His mortgage is €1,300 a month and has suggested I contribute €450 to that (what I'm paying in rent now).
I asked if this means I will be co-owning the apartment and have rights to a portion of the profits if we sell it - which is the plan we have discussed as it's not a place you could live in forever.
He says no, he worked hard to save the deposit, furnish the place, and so on, so it's his place no matter what.
ABet the rosy mist of romance lifted from your eyes in the middle of that little discussion! Basically you need to realise that what your boyfriend is offering is a change of landlord and a change of flatmate. It's not your opportunity to get your foot on the property ladder.
He will be getting his mortgage partly paid by you and if he's as canny as he seems (and it's a two-bed apartment) he is probably going to get a tax break on the money you give him through "the rent a room scheme".
So it is all good for him, though in fairness, co-habiting couples have poor legal rights when it comes to property and he is being honest and upfront with you.
In your current house-share arrangement you probably divide the utilities (ESB, gas and so on) equally, buy food separately and if the fridge breaks, you call the landlord.
What's going to happen when you move in with your boyfriend? Who is going to pay what in your new arrangement? Why not draw up a rental agreement - as you would with any new landlord - dealing with these sort of details.
Get things formally clear from the start, so that neither of you are under any delusion as to what's going on and keep receipts for any major purchases you make for the apartment. Meanwhile build up some savings so that if the time comes and you both want to buy something bigger you have a contribution towards the deposit.
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