Sell a Building for Conversion in Edinburgh
Selling a building for conversion in Edinburgh means selling an existing structure, such as an office, shop, pub, chapel, barn or light industrial unit, to a buyer who will turn it into homes. Its value depends on the planning route, how well the building converts, and costs such as fire safety, insulation, daylight and parking.
Edinburgh · EH1Free site appraisal
Tell us about your land and we will call you back. No cost, no obligation.
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- Free site appraisalNo cost, no obligation
- Legal fees coveredReasonable fees, on options and promotion
- Nothing to pay upfrontOn promotion: we fund planning
- Direct purchaseSuitable sites, with or without planning
- UK-wideEngland, Wales, Scotland and NI
Land and sites near Edinburgh
Edinburgh (EH1) anchors our coverage of Edinburgh & the Lothians, which takes in 3 other places. Nearby, we also cover Musselburgh, Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline, all within 13 miles.
In and around Edinburgh, the land we appraise ranges from land behind street frontages to redundant commercial buildings, including large and long rear gardens. As Edinburgh is in Scotland, applications are judged against National Planning Framework 4, and the buyer of land pays Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT).
Tell us where your land is around Edinburgh and we will explain the routes open to you.
How we work in Edinburgh
Planning route identified
We check whether permitted development with prior approval could apply, or whether a full application, and possibly listed building consent, is needed. The route shapes cost, risk and value.
Direct purchase of buildings
Where a building suits us, we can buy it ourselves, with or without consent, with no onward chain, subject to survey, title and contract. Any offer is set out in writing.
Pubs and chapels
Pubs, chapels and community halls do not usually benefit from these rights and need full planning permission. Councils often ask for evidence that the existing use is no longer viable or needed.
Building regulations apply
Changing a building to homes brings in building regulations or, in Scotland, a building warrant, covering fire safety, sound insulation, energy efficiency and escape routes. These often drive conversion costs.
Rules that apply in Edinburgh
In Scotland, planning applications for land around Edinburgh are decided by the council as planning authority, using National Planning Framework 4 and the Local Development Plan, which together form the statutory development plan. Instead of outline permission, Scotland uses planning permission in principle, followed by approval of matters specified in conditions. Land to Homes can buy suitable sites directly or promote land through planning, and every conversation starts with a free site appraisal.
Class MA and Class Q do not apply in Scotland. Scotland has its own, narrower permitted development right for converting some agricultural and forestry buildings to homes, with prior approval and limits. Most other conversions need full planning permission, plus listed building consent where relevant and a building warrant. Land and Buildings Transaction Tax applies.
| Local planning document | Local Development Plan (LDP) |
|---|---|
| In-principle consent | Planning permission in principle (PPP), followed by approval of matters specified in conditions |
| Land registration | Registers of Scotland (Land Register of Scotland) |
| How a sale becomes binding | Land sales are concluded through missives, formal letters exchanged between solicitors that become a binding contract once concluded, followed by settlement on the date of entry and registration in the Land Register of Scotland. |
Questions about Sell a Building for Conversion in Edinburgh
What makes a building suitable for conversion to homes?
Good natural light, a sensible floor depth, adequate ceiling heights, a sound structure, room for bin and bike stores, and a location where people want to live. Buildings that need major structural work, or whose windows cannot light every habitable room, are harder and more expensive to convert.
Will VAT be charged when I sell my commercial building?
It may be, if you have opted to tax it. However, a buyer who intends to convert the building into homes can, in many cases, give you a certificate that disapplies the option to tax. The rules are technical, so ask your accountant before agreeing terms.
Can a chapel or church be converted into homes?
Often, yes, with full planning permission, and listed building consent if it is listed. A buyer will check the title for covenants imposed by the original religious body, any burial ground, and access. Many chapels convert well because of their volume and tall windows, but parking and neighbours need care.
Do pubs need planning permission to convert to homes?
Yes, in most cases. In England, pubs no longer have permitted development rights to change to housing, so a full planning application is needed, and councils usually look for evidence that the pub is no longer viable. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland also normally require full planning permission.
Do you buy land in Edinburgh?
Yes. Land to Homes looks at land in Edinburgh and elsewhere in Edinburgh & the Lothians, including Musselburgh, Livingston and Bathgate. Every enquiry starts with a free site appraisal, and on option and promotion agreements we pay your reasonable legal fees.
Read more: Sell a Building for Conversion · Guide: Green Belt and grey belt land explained