Architectural Designs

If you have purchased commercial property can you legally live in it?

If you own commercial property. Is it illegal to build transform design it to live able standards. If the exterior of the property is not changed.

Public Comments

1. You cannot change it to residential without a change of use certificate from your local Council. They can refuse if there are not enough commercial properties in the area. UK
2. You need planning consent from the council for change of use from commercial to residential, it may or may not b granted depending on the circumstances. It's best to check with the council before you buy the property. You may also need building regulation consent for any structural alterations you want to make.
3. If you can show that the property has been used as a single dwelling house for a period of at least four years you can ask the council for a lawful development certificate,in these circumstances they have to grant this.