Can I Turn My Garden Room Into A Holiday Let?

Following what seems like a decade of lockdowns and continued hesitancy for many to travel abroad – the online searches for “staycation” have increased significantly. According to Snaptrip, there was an increase from 2019 to 2021 by 460 per cent in bookings for the summer holidays. The trend does not show any signs of slowing and can certainly be a lucrative income for property owners in the UK.

If you are in a desirable holiday location, there could be potential for a second income by letting out your garden room or outbuilding for short stays!

Here we look at whether using your garden room as a holiday let could be an option for you.

Planning Permission

As a general rule, the majority of garden buildings do not require planning permission. This is because they fall within permitted development rules under Class E. This means that planning permission is pre-approved based on certain conditions.

Those conditions include:

• The garden room should be no higher than 2.5m from the bottom of the building to the top of the roof.
• The garden room (and any other outdoor facilities) shouldn’t take up more than 50 perfect of your outdoor space.
• The garden room will not be used for living or sleeping.

Building Regulations

In the case of a garden room being used as a holiday let similar rules apply for building regulations as they do planning permission.

Usually, when erecting a shed or summer house in your garden, Building Regulations would not apply. This is generally true if the building’s internal area is between 15 square and 30 square metres; it’s at least one metre from any boundary and doesn’t provide sleeping accommodation. Of course, the nature of a holiday or short term let means this would not be the case. Therefore, you will need to seek building regulations advice and get a certificate.

Tradesmen

Once you’ve got your Planning Permission and Building Regulations organised, you can ensure you have certified tradespeople who will ensure that all of the necessary regulations are adhered to regarding plumbing and electrics. Unlike a garden room used for personal reasons, inviting paying guests will mean there are additional items you may want to consider providing. You will need a bathroom/shower room and toilet. You will also need to consider the number of power points available, light and lamps in place and whether you will provide a kitchenette. You may also include heating or possibly air-con and Wi-FI. You will also want to create an adequately lit entrance and that the outdoor area is equally well-lit.

Insurance

You will want to ensure not only that your home insurance covers your garden room but that it covers explicitly an outdoor building being used as a holiday let. Many providers offer holiday lettings insurance at varying levels.

Photos

It might be tempting to whip out your phone and snap some shots of your beloved converted garden room – but we wouldn’t recommend that unless you are a pro. A good picture speaks a thousand words, and so does a lousy shot, so get a professional in to take some showstopping images to present your holiday let in its best light –(ing).

The benefits of letting out your garden room are numerous. The ability to provide an utterly self-sufficient space for holiday-makers means you can still go about your day to day while generating a second income. A holiday let can earn up to £7500 a year tax-free, and you can outsource your booking through sites such as Airbnb or HolidayLettings.co.uk. You can choose to shut the bookings for any period you will be away or don’t want guests.

Contact us to help create your holiday let dreams!