Renting - landlord has planning permission

[Deleted member 18121]

We've been in our house for nearly 2 years, 6 months fixed then rolling month to month since then.

Just come back from a short holiday to find (by chance) that our landlord has applied for planning permission for a loft extension, 2 story side extension and completed remodeling of the interior combined with a house width balcony.... To be honest his plans are absolutely stunning and would make the most of the amazing sea view.

Obviously we're now worried that we're going to be out on our ear soon. But the plans are drastically different to all the other local houses and I'm sure neighbours will have a lot to say..... How long do these things normally take to pan out? I guess there is a good chance that it will get rejected.... But in the longer term where does it leave us.

I guess this is the risk of renting. We just didn't want to move again so soon!

 

[SammmeBee]

Probably a month away from moving.....

 

[GB72]

Probably a month away from moving.....

Yep, assured shorthold tenancy on roll over means the landlord only need serve the required notice. Only step you can take is to ask for a new tenancy and see what happens. That would at least give you protection for the length of the new tenancy

 

[jim8flog]

We've been in our house for nearly 2 years, 6 months fixed then rolling month to month since then.

Just come back from a short holiday to find (by chance) that our landlord has applied for planning permission for a loft extension, 2 story side extension and completed remodeling of the interior combined with a house width balcony.... To be honest his plans are absolutely stunning and would make the most of the amazing sea view.

Obviously we're now worried that we're going to be out on our ear soon. But the plans are drastically different to all the other local houses and I'm sure neighbours will have a lot to say..... How long do these things normally take to pan out? I guess there is a good chance that it will get rejected.... But in the longer term where does it leave us.

I guess this is the risk of renting. We just didn't want to move again so soon!

"Just come back from a short holiday to find (by chance) "

one of the oddities of the planning system is that the planners are required to submit notice of the planning application to any neighbours directly affected but assume anybody living inside knows about it. The one thing that should happen is that there must be a notice at the most convenient public place to advise the public of the planning application and if there is not complain to the planners that such notice has not been posted.

Planning permission is one thing and it could take a long time if it goes backwards and forwards depending on any objections by anybody as well as the planning committee.

The work actually starting is something else and to the best of my knowledge the owner has 3 years in which to commence the work or it may be they intend to sell the property with planning permission.

 

[Blue in Munich]

"Just come back from a short holiday to find (by chance) "

one of the oddities of the planning system is that the planners are required to submit notice of the planning application to any neighbours directly affected but assume anybody living inside knows about it. The one thing that should happen is that there must be a notice at the most convenient public place to advise the public of the planning application and if there is not complain to the planners that such notice has not been posted.

Planning permission is one thing and it could take a long time if it goes backwards and forwards depending on any objections by anybody as well as the planning committee.

The work actually starting is something else and to the best of my knowledge the owner has 3 years in which to commence the work or it may be they intend to sell the property with planning permission.

They crock of currently infesting my desk had 5 years from date of grant to start the work, rather than 3. I believe 5 is standard but I wait to be corrected..

 

[SatchFan]

Had our loft conversion completed last year. At the planning stage only the neighbours on either side of us were written to and there was no notice attached to the lamp post outside. When planning was approved we had three years to commence work.

 

[User62651]

I guess he hasn't informed you because he's guessed the planning process could take a while so doesn't want to lose a tenant/rent meantime. Think he should have mentioned it to you tbh.

Does your landlord know the planners? Brown envelopes etc to grease the wheels?

Is he upgrading to live in himself or sell on? If he still intends to rent out after upgrade I guess the rent is going to increase markedly, seems unlikely. You'll have to leave for duration of the upgrade work anyway.

Maybe just ask him/her, well within your rights if you're about to lose a home.

I'd start looking at estate agents or local facebook info pages etc for rental possibilities unless you're going to buy. If it's anything like here rentals are gold dust, very hard to find.

We got notice to quit a rental in 2014 having just moved here waiting for our house to sell. Landlord did at least give us a call in advance to forewarn.

 

[Deleted member 18121]

I guess he hasn't informed you because he's guessed the planning process could take a while so doesn't want to lose a tenant/rent meantime. Think he should have mentioned it to you tbh.

Does your landlord know the planners? Brown envelopes etc to grease the wheels?

Is he upgrading to live in himself or sell on? If he still intends to rent out after upgrade I guess the rent is going to increase markedly, seems unlikely. You'll have to leave for duration of the upgrade work anyway.

Maybe just ask him/her, well within your rights if you're about to lose a home.

I'd start looking at estate agents or local facebook info pages etc for rental possibilities unless you're going to buy. If it's anything like here rentals are gold dust, very hard to find.

We got notice to quit a rental in 2014 having just moved here waiting for our house to sell. Landlord did at least give us a call in advance to forewarn.

We've done much of what you've suggested.

I phoned the letting agent today and they knew nothing about it. They spoke to him and it's something he's planning for "3 years time or so"... Sounds dubious to me.

The plans he's made are extensive and IMO would be for him to retire into, the plans really would make the house something special ..... The rent these changes would command are not feasible in this area.

We've discussed it and will keep an eye regularly for a new rental and try to preempt any upheaval by finding somewhere ideal for us.

He has to give us 2 month's notice, we only need to give him 1.

 

[Rooter]

We've done much of what you've suggested.

I phoned the letting agent today and they knew nothing about it. They spoke to him and it's something he's planning for "3 years time or so"... Sounds dubious to me.

The plans he's made are extensive and IMO would be for him to retire into, the plans really would make the house something special ..... The rent these changes would command are not feasible in this area.

We've discussed it and will keep an eye regularly for a new rental and try to preempt any upheaval by finding somewhere ideal for us.

He has to give us 2 month's notice, we only need to give him 1.

If you like it there and he is saying it wont happen for 3 years, why not suggest a 2 year contract now? giving everyone plenty of notice etc and security.

 

[Deleted member 18121]

If you like it there and he is saying it wont happen for 3 years, why not suggest a 2 year contract now? giving everyone plenty of notice etc and security.

That would be ideal, but he was insistent when we moved in that the initial contract was only 6 months.... Maybe that should have been a warning sign.