Converting 2 flats back into one house

[Bumblebee2005]

Hello

I have a situation which may or may not be “unusual”, but I cannot find any guidance anywhere so I really hope someone can help.

My parents own the freehold and first floor flat of a converted house. My husband and I recently purchased the ground floor of the same property with 125 years lease. I never really lived in the ground floor as I worked away from London but I am now looking to move back permanently.

My parents are in their late 70’s and not keeping so well. Both flats could do with updating but better still would be to make the 2 flats back into a house, construct an extension in the back so that my parents can have a bedroom and ensuite on the ground floor and we can all share the whole house. The house was converted 100 years ago and there is actually just a small partition separating both flats.

Can anyone advise whether this is possible as the 2 flats, although part of the same family, have different names on their titles. Is it possible to merge the titles?

Has anyone come across such a situation before?

Thanks in advance….Bbee

[Interlaken]

I think this is possible via the Land Registry - enquire of them. You probably could sort this yourself or it may be easier to use a solicitor. The 'new' property would need to be re-assessed for council tax by HMRC.

[ash72]

You would need to apply for planning permission, which I doubt will be granted as you will be reducing the available properties from 2 to 1 (even though you collectively own them), under the current housing shortage. You need to demonstrate that the property is catering for a need in the area when the application is put forward, I would suggest you speak with the planning dept. in the first instance.

[jpkeates]

Merging the titles requires a solicitor.
Merging the properties themselves (and an extension) sounds like the planning process from hell, so you'll probably need to start with a local property specialist.

[Bumblebee2005]

Hi, I already spoke to the local council and they said that only building control would be needed once the merger was done as the extension would come under permitted development. I am not worried about that bit.

Its more about the merger....

Thanks

[ash72]

You would not be able to merge the title's unless one party sells their title to the other party, once this is completed, you then need to get the property onto a new title via the land registry. Once this is completed, you can then liaise with VOA and council tax, and planning department on changing the address of the property.

I would strongly advice you get the information you obtained from the council in writing, as it's incorrect in my opinion that you don't require planning permission.

[Bumblebee2005]

Thanks for your responses.

Not keen on selling to each other as one party would loose ownership. Is there no other way where its merged and all parties are included in the new title?

I will definitely check again with the council and get it in writing. Thanks.

[jpkeates]

Not keen on selling to each other as one party would loose ownership. Is there no other way where its merged and all parties are included in the new title?.

You would be able to transfer the two properties into the joint ownership of all of the current owners as a single event.
You all own the properties as your primary residence, so the only issue that leaps out is the difference in value of the two titles (which a solicitor should be able to sort).

So the four of you would end up owning both properties while the merge happens and would emerge as owners of the merged property (ignoring planning issues).