How converting the loft could make you £60,000 richer

Country Life magazine has been looking at the concept of loft conversions on its website, pointing out that as many as one in five homeowners in the UK could consider converting their loft.

The government recently announced that it was to scrap the need for planning permission for loft conversions, meaning that an increased number of people are now showing an interest in taking this path to creating more space in the home.

As loft-conversions always need light, a roof light is the natural choice, allowing natural light to flood in without the need to build an extension to the roof.

Adding an extra room will always add to the value of the property, but homeowners may be surprised by the extent to which a loft conversion can increase the price of their home, according to Alliance and Leicesters Mark Boyle.

"While it may prove too costly to upsize to a new home, converting a loft into a useable room can not only increase the size of the property, but it can add value to the price, benefiting homeowners when they eventually come to sell," he said.

The magazine also quotes Philip German-Ribon of Jackson-Stops and Staff, who are selling a former millers home with a converted loft for £515,000.

He claims that, done properly, a loft conversion with roof light can boost the value of a property by as much as £60,000.