Looking for Affordable Housing?
Do your family need an affordable housing solution - tout suite?
“Micro Garden Homes offer the option of a comfortable affordable home within your garden.”
Mother-in-Law friendly!
Are you interested in affordable independent living space for dependant parents or returning adult children.
The Problem:
.
housing for younger people is unacceptably unaffordable.
The dream of owning a house has been stolen from many younger people.
High rents leave no room for saving.caring for dependant parents is expensive and challenging;
more so, if they don't live nearby.
On average, 25 tenants are chasing each rental property, with rent sometimes taking half of younger people's monthly earnings.
You believe your children and parents deserve safe, affordable, and suitable housing.
You want to help, but can't see a solution.
And this, in a country where houses take up less than 3% of Scotland's landmass, with trees covering more than 18% of the country.
Priorities anyone?
Our parents are living longer, and need more care.
If dependent parents don't live nearby, that care can be stressful and expensive.
You would love to find a housing solution for your family, but are faced with challenges, guilt and frustration.
Is there a solution?
A Solution:
personal space.
an affordable home.
a soft launch into buying your own property and living independently - opportunity to save for a house deposit.
accessible space available for wheelchairs.
cosy living space. The Annex is well insulated.
low running costs.
sustainable, low carbon footprint.
planning consent not required - we secure a Certificate of Lawfulness from your local Council.
we do the heaving lifting - we sort permissions, build it and connect to your home utilities.
can be dismantled and removed whenever you choose.
“Adult children are being frog-marched into over-priced renting. Saving for a house deposit is almost unachievable. This could be an affordable stepping stone.”
What Do You Get?
a 27.6m2 (GIA) Granny Annex built from 144mm SIPs panels (structural insulated panels).
compacted vertical block foundation attached with wind ties, with an insulated sloping bitumen felt roof.
double glazed windows and double French door.
full width ramp access to front door if required.
kitchen with mixer tap sink & electric hob, with space, plumbing and wiring for a fridge, washing machine and microwave oven.
walk in shower room or bath, with toilet and basin (can be wheelchair accessible).
fitted vinyl flooring.
led ceiling lights.
locally sourced larch wood external cladding.
internal walls finished in white matt emulsion.
wi-fi connection to main house existing wi-fi.
hot water storage tank for shower and sinks (electric).
macerator if required, connected to your existing drainage, up to 10m.
electricity meter.
£35,000 including VAT
27.6m2 GIA excluding outside decking.
“affordable, comfortable independent living. ”
Create living space in your garden.
MicroGardenHomes offer an affordable, peace of mind solution to the real challenge of providing housing for dependant parents or returning adult children.
If you have a decent sized garden, we can create a fully connected, cost effective Micro Home for:
£35,000 (incl VAT).
Payment schedule is:
£1,000 on signing agreement to purchase.
£15,000 once the cabin shell is built.
£15,000 once 1st fix electrics and plumbing completed.
£4,000 on completion of build.
“The challenge of unaffordable housing for younger people, and the increasing cost of caring for dependant parents, can be stressful. Let's do something about it. The problem won't fix itself, and policy makers are part of the problem.”
Can I Build A Micro Home In My Garden?
The answer is 'Yes' - for most people.
Micro Homes are a popular addition to many family homes, providing additional accommodation.
We use the The Caravan Sites Act 1968 to gain a Certificate of Lawfulness for siting a Granny Annex in your garden, even if you live within a Conservation Area.
So confident are we that our team will secure a Certificate of Lawfulness from your local Council, that we offer a money-back guarantee.
In the unlikely event that consent is not granted, we will refund every penny you have spent with us up to this point.
Andrew Brunton
Micro Garden Homes
10B WestGrove Avenue
Dundee
DD2 1PE
[email protected]
www.MicroGardenHomes.co.uk
“I'm Andrew Brunton. I run MicroGardenHomes. We remove the headache of creating an affordable place for your loved ones to stay. MicroGardenHomes is about using what you have (a garden), turning it into a housing solution. We look after the building logistics, compliance and organisation. You get a ready to live in, affordable, safe, comfortable space for granny, or your adult children.”
Don't Take Our Word For It - here's what the Daily Mail Online said in January 2024:
Demand for homes with self-contained annexes have soared as local councils continue crackdowns on second homes.
Research from Purplebricks shows there has been a six-month surge in enquiries for properties with an annexe or so-called granny flat.
The increase in interest comes as second home owners face soaring council tax bills for their properties.
Online estate agents report seeing only a trickle of enquiries for the first seven months of 2023 - before interest spiked.
From the start of August last year (2023) to early January 2024, there were around 10,000 enquiries.
Annexes allow older people to stay close to family members, while still retaining some of their independence.
However, if the family member is under 65, the owner can apply for a 50 percent reduction in council tax on the separate annexe.
According to Purplebricks, the increasing trend in enquiries also suggests buyers hoping to cash-in on the lucrative AirBnB market may be eyeing properties with on-site accommodation that has its own kitchen and bathroom.
AirBnB allows owners in Greater London to rent out a room for up to 90 days a year and other UK councils apply different limits.
However, provided the annexe is used by the family for the rest of the year it should qualify for a 50 percent reduction in council tax.
Also, under the UK government’s Rent a Room scheme, homeowners pay no income tax on the first £7,500 earned on a spare room, or in this case annexe.
Purplebricks CEO Sam Mitchell said:
‘The rise of interest in annexes is a clear sign Brits are looking much closer to home when it comes to investing in property.‘
A so-called granny flat could be the cash-smart solution for families wanting to take care of an elderly relative, while protecting their independence.
Quality pre-fab annexes are soaring in popularity... here's what you need to know about them
With second home owners facing uncertainty, it seems savvy home-hunters have spotted a clever way to have the best of both worlds.
Recently, the Labour run Welsh Government allowed local authorities to hike council tax on second homes by up to 300 per cent in April last year.
Speaking at the time, Rebecca Evans, minister for finance and local government, said:
“We want to ensure councils have the powers available to them to strike the right balance in local housing supply.”
Rates have since been increased by five Welsh councils including Flintshire, Powys, Anglesey, Conwy and Gwynedd - which charges the UK’s highest second home premium at 150 per cent.
Meanwhile, north of the border in Scotland, owners face paying double council tax from April this year on second homes.
From April 1, new legislation will treat second homes like long-term empty homes.
Currently, second homes are subject to a default 50 per cent discount on council tax.
However, local councils can vary charges and the majority already charge second home-owners the full rate of council tax, the maximum allowed.
Public finance minister Tom Arthur said in November 2023:
“We want everyone in Scotland to have a home that meets their needs. We know second homes can sometimes benefit local communities, but they can also restrict the availability of housing and increase costs for people who want to rent or buy.”
Your own space.
shower room
fine dining.
kitchen area
"Demand for homes with self-contained annexes soars as Councils continue crackdown on second homes."
Questions?
- How much does it cost?
The standard Micro Home cabin costs £35,000 (inc VAT).
Payable in stages:
£1,000 deposit on signing agreement to purchase.
£15,000 once the cabin shell is built.
£15,000 once 1st fix electrics and plumbing completed.
£4,000 on completion of build.
All you need add are furnishings, window blinds and kitchen white goods.
.
- How long does it take to build?
Once we secure a Certificate of Lawfulness, we would expect to have your Micro Home built within two months.
This is dependent on your garden and existing utilities being suitable, as well as the pace of your local Council.- What is the next step?
The next step is to contact us to arrange a site visit, and answer any questions you might have.
This allows us to assess the suitability of your garden space.
If you are happy, then you can sign an agreement to purchase and make the first payment of £1,000.
- Can I see examples of what you have done already?
Yes.
You are welcome to come visit one of our existing example cabins in Dundee, Scotland.
- Who are you?
My name is Andrew Brunton, Dad to four outstanding children.
They have worked hard, but can't afford to buy a family home in Edinburgh unless they secure a job as High Court Judges within the next few months.My background is economics, having worked with a utility company (Scottish Hydro Electric, now SSE) as Business Pricing and Forecasting Manager.
I also worked in local government (Fife Council) in Asset Management.I built a cabin in my garden after becoming homeless following one of life's curveballs. Enjoyed it, so built two more (the cabins, not the curveball!).
Offering Micro Garden Homes is my way of turning adversity into advantage from the lessons learned from that.
The process is straight forward, once you know what you are doing. My job is to save you from sleepless nights, for a fixed price.
- Do I need a Building Warrant?
Because the Micro Home is legally classed as a 'caravan', a Building Warrant is not required other than for the wastewater treatment.
We do not compromise on safety. Each cabin is equipped with smoke detectors, a heat alarm, and carbon dioxide alarm. There is no gas. The electrical installation is inspected and certified by a qualified electrician.
The cabins are well insulated, warm and pleasant to live in.
- What happens when I don't need the Micro Home any more?
The Micro Home has been future proofed.
It has been designed to be dismantled and moved to another location when required.
We can assist with removal.
- Is the Micro Home liable for Council Tax?
You should advise your local Council once the Micro Home is complete.
They may elect to charge Council Tax for the Micro Home, which in our experience has been charged at the lowest A banding, with any exemptions applied due to the status of the Micro Home occupier/s.- Are there tax benefits for Micro Homes?
Under the UK government’s Rent a Room scheme, homeowners may not be required to pay income tax on up to £7,500 earned income from a compliant spare room.
It may be worth requesting that HMRC recognise your Micro Home as a 'spare room'.
What Next?.
Arrange for us to carry out a survey of your garden. This will clarify where a Micro Garden Home might be located, and answer any questions you may have.
Here's one we prepared earlier ....
Micro Home video tour
Micro Garden Homes
