Change of use from commercial to residential

[serotoninsid]

Heres the scenario I'm interested in. 'Hotel' with self contained 'serviced' apartments.

Would it be possible to apply for a change of use to regular residential apartments? How difficult would this be to achieve?

 

[lowCO2design]

it is possible and there's precedent in many planning authorities

consider the following
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,19428,en.pdf

best to seek advice from a architect familiar with the area and requirements including

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2011/en/si/0679.html

you'll be complying with building regulations in general http://www.environ.ie/en/TGD/

of particular interest:

http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad,1655,en.pdf

http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad,1640,en.pdf

http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad,27316,en.pdf

and I see the below as minimum standards


http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Planning/FileDownLoad,15335,en.pdf

Appendix​

Recommended Minimum Floor Areas and Standards​

Minimum overall apartment floor areas​

One bedroom
45 sq m (38 sq m)*
Two bedroom / 3 persons
63 sq m (55 sq m)*
Two bedroom / 4 persons
73 sq m (not given)*
Three bedrooms / 5 persons
86 sq m (70 sq m)*
* Figures in brackets refer to 1995 guidelines

Minimum aggregate floor areas for living/dining/kitchen rooms, ​

and minimum widths for the main living/dining rooms​

Apartment type​

Width of living/dining room​

Aggregate floor area of living / dining / kitchen area*​

One bedroom

3.3 m​

23 sq m​

Two bed / 3 persons

3.6 m​

28 sq m​

Two bed / 4 persons

3.6 m​

30 sq m​

Three bedrooms

3.8 m​

34 sq m​

* Note: An enclosed (separate) kitchen should have a minimum floor area of 6.5 sq. metres. In most cases, the kitchen should have an external window.

Minimum bedroom floor areas/widths​

Type ​

Minimum width​

Minimum floor area​

Single bedroom

2.1 m​

7.1 sq m​

Double bedroom

2.8 m​

11.4 sq m​

Twin bedroom

2.8 m​

13 sq m​

* Note: Minimum floor areas exclude built-in storage presses.

Minimum aggregate bedroom floor areas​

One bedroom
11.4 sq m
Two bedroom / 3 persons
11.4 + 7.1 sq m = 18.5 sq m
Two bedroom / 4 persons
11.4 + 13 sq m = 24.4 sq m
Three bedrooms / 5 persons
11.4 + 13 + 7.1 sq m = 31.5 sq m

Minimum storage space requirements​

One bedroom

3 sq m​

Two bedrooms / 3 persons

5 sq m​

Two bedrooms / 4 persons

7 sq m​

Three or more bedrooms

9 sq m​

Minimum floor areas for main apartment balconies​

One bedroom

5 sq m​

Two bedroom

7 sq m​

Three bedroom

9 sq m​

​

if the hotel is listed there may be further considerations. this is a site specific job, get good professional help

 

[mandelbrot]

Potentially substantial VAT issues as well, professional advice on that aspect will be essential.

 

[threebedsemi]

It is generally possible to change the use of these apartments from hotel to private use. Assuming that they have permission as one type of apartment already, they should meet the overall planning requirements for apartments (as per lowCO2designs post).
If they are currently part of a hotel, the main issues to reslove may well be in terms of how they are serviced (shared parking with the hotel, shared services/meters, etc).

There are all kinds of tax and financial issues which will arise, as mandelbrot has mentioned, and you should get advice from your financial advisor/solicitor with regard to this aspect.

www.studioplustwo.com

 

[serotoninsid]

Thanks to you all for posting and particularly to lowCO2design for such a detailed post - much appreciated. I understand that professional advise is necessary - but just wanted to get a more general idea of what's involved beforehand.