From home cinemas, bars, gyms and offices, a garden room has many uses, but one of the questions we get asked most is can you sleep in a garden room? Our garden room specialists delve into everything you need to know about building a garden room for overnight accommodation.
We will cover the following topics:
- Can you live in a garden room?
- Can you sleep in a garden room?
- Can guests stay in your room?
- Do you need planning permission to live or sleep in a garden room?
- What building regulations do you need to consider?
- Will you have to pay more council tax?
- A Crown Pavilions garden room
Can you live in a garden room?
Yes, you can live in a garden room so long as you have the appropriate planning permission and your build adheres to building regulations to ensure it is fit for purpose. Our rooms are built to residential standards with proper insulation and the option for additional heating, plumbing and electrical work. A garden room provides a very comfortable living space with all necessary amenities and some added luxuries as a bonus.
Do you Need Planning Permission to Live or Sleep in a Garden Room?
If you’re planning to use your garden room to live or sleep, it will no longer be classed as an ancillary building but a dwelling or self-contained unit of accommodation. According to the HomeOwners Alliance: ‘if you want to sleep in it regularly or want to create a self-contained accommodation, or granny annexe, you must apply for planning permission and meet building regulations.’ As such, you will need the appropriate planning permission. To build a garden room without planning permission, the following regulations apply:
- The garden room must not be higher than 2.5m from floor to roof when built within 2m of a boundary.
- Your garden room must not take up more than 50% of your garden area in combination with any other garden buildings you may have.
- Without planning permission, your garden room must not be used for overnight accommodation.
For more information, please refer to our planning permission guidelines or get in touch with our team who will be happy to help. Please note that if your property is located in an AONB or national park, there are a few more things to consider. See our guide to building a garden room on listed properties for more information.
How to Apply for Planning Permission for Your Garden Room?
- First, you will need to contact your local planning authority. See the official gov.uk website for more information.
- Next, you will need to fill out all necessary application forms, providing details such as building size, structure and materials.
- You will then need to provide accurate building drawings and an ordnance map. Ensure that this is carried out by a licensed professional.
Applying for planning permission can be time-consuming and you may incur some fees, however the end result will be worth it, especially if you want to use your garden room for additional income, such as a holiday rental, or for an extra bedroom. If you ever plan to sell the property, having the correct planning documents to show prospective buyers is also very important.
Would a Garden Room Affect your Council Tax?
In some cases, using a garden room for overnight accommodation can affect your council tax. For example, if your garden room is intended as an additional revenue stream, for a rental property for instance, then additional tax costs may apply. On the other hand, if your garden building is being used to host an elderly relative or family member, you may even be eligible for a council tax discount. See the official gov.uk website for more information.
A Crown Garden Room
At Crown Pavilions, we design and build the finest luxury garden rooms in the UK. Our garden buildings are handcrafted in our Oxfordshire workshop by our TRADA (Timber Research and Development Association)-certified team using residential-grade materials. Designed to provide the same level of comfort as your home, we can help you build a luxury garden room to sleep and live in, helping you slide through the planning process, too.
