What Is A Coach House?

A coach house is a detached house located above the row of carports and garages. The coach house is a freehold property; the owner owns the entire building, but garages and carports sell separately on long-term leases to neighbors. 

The coach house has two floors; the upper floor has two bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room and a bathroom. The lower floor is used by other residents or neighbors who rent, as well as the lower space or garages.

Coach houses are outbuildings built in the 18th century in England, UK, where people kept carriages, accessories and horses. People take coach houses as a sign of wealth.

Most wealthy people built a coach house as a detached building for their horses and servants caring for them. Not everyone can afford to keep horses and coach houses; only wealthy people can do this.

Coach houses mainly had similar structures, differing based on rural or urban areas. Rural coaches are built on a large property with a carriage for horses and space for drivers and staff.

However, rural coaches have single rooms and no extra rooms for staff because of the lower property space. Coaches are detached or semi-detached, freestanding buildings away from the owner’s main house. 

The upper floor has lower space instead of ground space, and the ground space has high ceilings. They were small and dark and typically served as outbuildings, built in a style that matched the main house.

In this modern era, coach houses have also become unique and attractive. Sometimes, people use the coach house as a garage, studio, office, and home.

People can renovate the carriage or coach house according to their needs and desires. People often customize it into entertainment centers and art studios.

Coach houses offer two spaces: the upper space is for living, and the lower space becomes a source of passive income when rented out to someone. 

People get coach houses at affordable prices; people use one garage as a space for them and rent others out on long-term leases. You can customize them according to your choice, and it is easy to get a coach house.

There are benefits of coach houses that help you to understand why you owe them

• Affordability 
• Privacy 
• Parking 
• Potential

Affordability

Coach houses are affordable at lower prices. Coach houses have lower council tax rates because of their smaller area than other houses in the exact location. Coach houses have low maintenance costs compared to different houses.

Privacy 

Coach houses have more privacy and less noise from neighbors because they are detached or semi-detached. They have their independence and system.

Parking 

Coach houses have ample parking spaces; owners sometimes rent out these spaces to other residents and neighbors. It is convenient for residents to have parking spaces in coach houses when parking is expensive.

Potential

Depending on the regulations and permissions, coach houses have the potential for extension or conversion. 

Here are some of the drawbacks of coach houses

• Access
• Leasehold
• Resale 

Access 

Coach houses only have an external staircase accessed through these staircases. Sometimes, it is inconvenient and difficult to access and move the coach in rainy and stormy weather. There is less storage space and no natural light on the ground floor.

Leasehold 

Coach house is a freehold property like maisonette; the owner may still have to pay the service charges for maintenance. Some rules, such as the use of parking spaces and property appearance, restrict leasehold owners.

Resale 

Coach houses have less space and charm, so they are less attractive or appealing to some buyers. Because of the same properties, there is more competition.

Coach houses are outstanding buildings between flats and houses. Their prices are affordable and are less than those of flats and houses in the same area where you want to live.

Coach houses are detached property, which gives you an advantage. Sometimes, only the ground floor is used by neighbors.

One garage is reserved for the residents, and it is open all the time. Electric and water facilities are also available there. These facilities are not available in a typical flat.

Coach houses have substantial ownership benefits. The owner owns freehold property; you rented out the garage and ground floor. It’s a very unique way of living. Coach houses will not fit your needs if you have a large family, as the living area is usually limited and historically never needed to be significant. Coach House requires bespoke insurance. Keep in mind the pros and cons to consider before making a final decision for owning a coach house.