Selling a house with planning permission could boost your home's value, according to Phil Spencer

last updated 16 June 2022

Phil Spencer has a top tip that could add £5,000 to the value of your house. The best part is that it won't cost you a penny.

It almost sounds too good to be true. However, speaking to This Is Money, the Location, Location, Location presenter revealed that selling a house with planning permission can seriously boost the value of your home.

Phil Spencer's tip for selling a house with planning permission

'Converting the loft or adding an extension provides the biggest-value boost, but will typically cost between £20,000 and £40,000,' explains Phil.

phil spencer poses during the channel 4 red carpet paralympic launch at channel 4 studios london

'Just by applying for planning permission, you can sweeten the deal for a potential buyer. It might give a growing family the confidence that they can squeeze in an extra bedroom.'

Many sellers, including House Simple, have seen an increase in sale price after obtaining planning permission. It can increase the property value by 10 per cent and encourage a quick sale.

However, there are two main types of applications for planning permission. The full planning permission application requires a detailed proposal and will cost you £206 for an extension in England. Outline planning permission, on the other hand, is a little bit more flexible and you can get it for free.

'A full planning application requires an architect's drawings. But, with a bit of research, you can often secure outline planning permission for free by applying to the local planning authority yourself,' explains Phil Spencer.

room with white wall and rounded table and chair

An outline planning permission application allows for a decision on how the general principles of the site will be developed. There are some conditions, but the application is less detailed than a full planning permission application.

However, before you start rushing to apply for planning permission, it is important to address what changes would benefit your property. You might find them many of the changes don't need any planning permission!

Follow Phil's advice and make sure you do your research.

Rebecca Knight has been the Deputy Editor on the Ideal Home Website since 2022. She graduated with a Masters degree in magazine journalism from City, University of London in 2018, before starting her journalism career as a staff writer on women's weekly magazines. She fell into the world of homes and interiors after joining the Ideal Home website team in 2019 as a Digital Writer. In 2020 she moved into position of Homes News Editor working across Homes & Gardens, LivingEtc, Real Homes, Gardeningetc and Ideal Home covering everything from the latest viral cleaning hack to the next big interior trend.