Maisonette loft conversion

The term maisonette comes from the French language meaning ‘small house’. Maisonettes are made of two or more storeys, with their own internal staircase, they have their own separate entrance.

Maisonettes on the ground floor tend to have their own garden, you maybe be able to gain some extra square footage from an extension.

It is very likely that if you live in a maisonette you will have a party wall. A party wall is a wall which you share with a neighbour. It is important to have a party wall agreement drawn up with your neighbour if you want to make any changes. It is required, by law, to inform your neighbours if you wish to do any building work or changes that may affect your shared walls or boundaries.

It is very common that maisonettes are leasehold, to be able to carry out a loft conversion you will need the permission from the freeholder or purchase the freehold of the roof space or attic.

If you already own a share of the freehold, you will need to find out who owns the freehold that relates specifically to the loft space. Your lease paperwork should tell you if you already own it; if not you must purchase the freehold from the owner.