What is self-build?
Self-build is a handy term, but it’s actually self-build and custom housebuilding. It’s where people build or commission their own homes. The rules are the same for both.
People can be:
- Individuals (which includes singles, couples, families and other households), or
- Associations (which are groups of Individuals)
People can:
- build their own home, or
- manage the construction of their own home, or
- get someone else to build the home for them
But they must:
- have primary input into the final design and layout of the home, and
- be the initial owner and occupier of the home
What isn’t self-build?
There’s a legal definition of self-build and custom housebuilding in the relevant Act and there’s Planning Practice Guidance on the subject, but here are some common examples of what isn’t considered to be self-build or custom housebuilding:
- Off-plan housing – homes purchased at the plan stage prior to construction and without input into the design and layout from the buyer
- Build-to-sell – homes built for sale and not for occupation by the initial owner
- Build-to-rent – homes built for renting out and not for occupation by the initial owner
- Second homes – homes built for purposes other than occupation as a sole or main residence by the initial owner