Thinking of Opening a Farmstay Accommodation Business? Options for Where Your Guests Can Stay

Have you ever been tempted by the idea of hosting guests at your farm through establishing your own farmstay accommodation business? It's certainly a large commitment and can be a costly exercise to set up, and yet it can be a fulfilling achievement—one that also has the potential to be financially rewarding. If you don't have the space (or the desire) to host guests in your existing home, suitable accommodation needs to be constructed on your property. You can repurpose and refurbish an existing structure to do this, or you can build appropriate accommodation from scratch. So what are some things you need to consider when it comes to planning guest accommodation for your farm?

Converting an Existing Structure

Disused rural sheds are an excellent starting point for accommodation. The shed doesn't even need to be entirely disused, just so long as you have sufficient alternative storage space for whatever the shed is currently being used for. The shed would have a sturdy structure which is ideal for being converted into accommodation. Of course, the least expensive option is for converting the space into dormitory style accommodation so you don't need to divide the shed into single rooms, aside from the necessity of a bathroom and kitchen facilities. Please remember that planning permission will be required from your local council. A building surveyor will also need to thoroughly assess the site in order to determine whether the shed's rating can be changed from commercial to residential use. This will encompass an assessment of the existing frame and sheeting, as well as determining whether the base slab is strong enough to carry the extra weight that will come with the division of the internal space. You will also need to engage a draftsperson to draw up detailed plans for your planned conversion, as the surveyor will need to see your intentions for the project before permission can be granted. There are also a number of additional requirements for this type of conversion.

Self-Contained Accommodation

Once plans have been drawn up and the site formally inspected, you might encounter some hurdles. It might not be feasible to convert the existing structure into guest accommodation, or it might be financially prohibitive. You have another option, and that is to disassemble the shed and use the base slab to host several self-contained units.

• Small prefabricated homes can be placed on the slab, which will be assembled off-site and then delivered and anchored into place.
• Converted shipping containers can also be used as accommodation, which will be prepared off-site before being delivered and secured.

Please remember that regardless of whether an existing structure is converted or if individual units are placed on the site, access to your sewerage drainage (or a dedicated septic tank) will be required.

So while it can be challenging to prepare the necessary guest accommodation, you do have a few options. And won't it be nice when your rural property is ready to host guests?