The Illegal Garage

When we first bought the house, we were informed that the Garage was illegal, in that it had not been built to council's regulation or approval. We have since obtained house plans, and they were approved to build a garage/carport, but it was meant to be built off the boundary 900mm.

The way they have built it, with the door way, does not give sufficient room for a car to be driven in, so it is basically used as a storage space, a real waste. We would love to close this space in, and use it as a living room. We would make it a proper entrance, and replace the garage door with glass sliding or bi-fold doors. And instead, would build a car port out front to the right of the house (where the grass is).

You can see the original front door to the house, we have put some stainless steel railings up there stairs, but really, it is pretty scrappy looking. Whenever we have visitors over, I feel embarassed, and apologise for the state of the entrance, excusing myself that we are renovating (for the last four years). There is also a gutter hole right across the drive in front of the entrance door. We have attempted to find a gutter grill to place over the gap, but this must be an abnormal size, as we cant find any to fit. When it rains heavily, this gutter and drain blocks up and leaves a big puddle of water and leaves, right at the front door!