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I was left in shock after realising £500,000 three-storey London house I was browsing was actually a tiny shed
Scroll to see pictures inside the half-a-million pound 'shed'
A HOUSE hunter claims a £500,000 London property she was browsing was not a three-storey townhouse - but the "shed" next door.
The property in Hackney, London, demands "offers in excess of £525,000" - despite being a long, slim building of just 545sqft.
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The so-called shed has been converted into one bedroom, one bathroom, a kitchen.
But the property is attached to a large three-storey property that has left some social media users baffled over which home they would be actually buying.
TikTok user Charlotte Moran shared a clip after coming across the bizarre listing captioned, "Hackney has me deceased" - gaining tens of thousands of views.
In the clip, Charlotte points at the bigger property, saying: "I'm looking at this. I thought, wow, look at that house".
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She then points at a tiny white building next to it and shocking adds "no, it's the shed on the side for half a million pounds."
Many users have taken to the comments to express that the thought of the shed being for sale at a price is "insane" and even likened the property to a "portacabin".
But other users have argued that it's "pretty cheap for Hackney standards", with one stating: "You're paying for the potential."
Listed by Winkworth estate agents, the newly refurbished home promises to be "functional and aesthetically pleasing" and offers an "enchanting'" outdoor space, with parking included.
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A spokesperson for Winkworth said: "You wouldn't get that type of house for £525,000.
"Anyone who thinks that doesn't necessarily know about property in my opinion.
I’m 28 & live in a tiny home - we pay no rent & the view is amazing
"If it was up to me it'd be slightly less but the potential to go up an extra story and make it into a nice two-story house with a garden.
"It's attached to another building so effectively you have to take the picture of the whole thing. It's part of the freehold of that building. You have to show that as well because it is a conversion.
"Considering that's also part of the same [building] it will be all under the same freehold company you do have to show the building.
"The main benefits are that it's got a garden, it's gated, it's got its own driveway. It's very close to Clapton station and has been recently refurbished.
"It's a very sought after area. It's very central.
"The potential justifies the price. To potentially go up and add an extra story."
However some househunters on social media were less convinced about the price.
One said: "Somebody needs to tell the estate agent, 'that is a garage sir'."
Another said: "Stop it. It's a portacabin."
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One added: "You could literally buy a mansion up here in Scotland for that, it's wild."
Charlotte responded: "Honestly Hackney has gone mad."
Do I need planning permission to convert my shed?
CONVERTING an existing shed or outbuilding into a self-contained living space will usually require you apply for planning permission.
However, there is a "loophole" Brits can use to convert outbuildings into a tiny home without permission.
Planning expert from warned the conversion process is far easier than you may think.
Speaking to The Sun, the Chartered Town Planner of 14 years' experience explained: "An outbuilding can be built using 'permitted development rights', meaning it does not need planning permission.
"As long as you comply with the various restrictions and conditions."
One of these is that the outbuilding can only be used for something 'ancillary' to your main living accommodation - examples include storage, a gym or a pool room.
If the outbuilding is existing, converting it then into primary living accommodation IS allowed.
Martin explained: "This is because internal changes to an existing building are not considered to be development at all under the Town and Country Planning Act.
But like anything, there is one catch.
The new living accommodation must still have some connection with your use of the main house.
For instance, if your gran is living out there, she must still come into the house to eat.
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