can anyone tell me where i can find a full list of building rules and regs?

[joko]

i am considering restructuring the downstairs of my house into a self contained flat in order to let it out, but its an awkward shape and not very big but id like it completely separate from my bit, so i'd like a list of rules so i know whether some of my ideas will work or will be illegal etc...and also info on what bits i would need permission for etc

for instance my brother reckons you cannot have a bedroom door open directly to a living room- you must have a hallway, even a tiny one...seems daft to me...i'd rather have a full room space than have a bit of it cut off just to make space for a useless mini hallway...but...

thanks

[redman41]

If you put your Q in Home & Garden the likes of The Builder should be able to help.

[scotman]

Building regs for houses will probably depend on where you live. Your local council will have a Building Control or Planning Dept. Why not contact them first.

[joko]

i just want a general guide of standard rules, before i start making plans at this stage

[buildersmate]

The straight answer is here
http://www.communitie...lations/publications/
From that site you can get to the various approved documents that comprise the Building Regulations for England and Wales. Scotland is similar but different, as is N Ireland, and I believe Wales will eventually be different (but all of them are very similar).
However this really isn't going to help you much because these are technical documents and it would take someone days to read them all. If you are just talking about shapes and sizes of rooms, most of what you require would be found in the document that deals with safety (which, for example, defines distances for doors opening out onto stairwells), the hygiene document (which would deal with washing facilities provision).
You'd be far better off talking to someone involved in building - could be a designer (for which you'd have to pay) or a tame builder (who might be willing to discuss the principles for a sniff of the eventual work contract), both of whom would have enough working knowledge of all the regs to know what the likely issues for your dwelling.
This is nothing to do with the Planning Department at the local authority - Building Control is different, and whilst you can ask them for general advice on how to move the project forward, they will not be able to provide you design guidance or be able to assess your project without drawings and a building control application (which costs around £300).
There is nothing that I know of that says a bedroom cannot open onto a living room - though it is not good practice.
Finally, creating an entirely separate flat is most likely to incur the property in being split into two for council tax assessment - so you need to think about whether this cost is what you w

[buildersmate]

want to incur before creating 2 front doors onto the street
(pathetic website design which guillotines responses without warning)

[themas]

bm - I'm not so sure about the Planning Dept. bit. It was a long time ago, but I've known of cases where splitting a house in 2 was something they wanted to be involved in, although I'm unclear as to whether they really have a right to insist on a planning application. I suppose they might if they have rules on vehicle parking, access etc. Anyway, it would be a good idea for the OP to contact Planning (as well as Building Control) to be on the safe side.

[humpy07]

www.planningportal.gov.uk is a good website, with an interactive house to play around with also.

[buildersmate]

Themas
I understand the point you are making. I agree it is worth checking with the planning department. But because the property is not being split legally into two (as is the case when a large house is sub-divided into flats for individual sale of freehold or leasehold), I did not think that planning were interested. Could be wrong though.

[bushbaby_de]

Hi Joko, I'm a Planning Officer. You will need planning permission to create a new flat unit. You will probably find that your local Planning Department has a policy or a supplementary planning document detailing their requirements for flat conversions. It will also have to meet Building Regs as it is classed as a change of use. I can't give you very detailed guidance on that front but it definitely is required that each room has a lobby or leads of a hallway rather than coming straight off another room - the only exceptions are bathrooms and kitchens I believe., You need to engage a planning agent who will be able to give you detailed advice and assistance with making the applications.

[AlBags]

Yes .. I keep mine as an image on a pen drive : )