Multi-Generational Living in Guernsey – An Update
Almost a year ago, we shared our blog titled ‘Home, sweet extended home: Multi-generational living in Guernsey’.
Since then, two of our clients have completed their dower unit builds, and another has recently begun work on an extension to accommodate their multi-generational household.
JGA’s Miles Pengelley, is also preparing to build a dower unit at his family home for his father-in-law; a journey he shares in this follow-up blog, alongside a snippet from our clients’ experience, both pre- and post-build.
Introducing Change
The idea of moving my wife’s father, K, out of the home he had lived in for over 15 years and into an extension at our own house was, understandably met with some initial hesitation. (Not least for the fear of having to clear out his attic space!) However, once we began discussing the benefits of the arrangement, K soon saw how it could work well for all of us. With his support, we made the necessary applications to obtain planning and building control approvals through JGA.
Building the Team
As with any construction project, assembling the right team is essential. For our dower unit, that included:
- Structural Engineer
- Asbestos Surveyor
- Health & Safety Project Coordinator
- Interior Designers
- Drainage Surveyor
- Guernsey Electricity
- Builder / Contractor
- Estate Agent / *Legal Support
*We learned from our estate agent that since K’s house is mortgage-free and there’s no onward purchase, we didn’t need legal representation to complete the sale.
People to Notify
Once the wheels are in motion, don’t forget to notify:
- Your Mortgage Provider
- TRP (Tax on Real Property)
- Home Insurance Provider
Utilities and Energy
Because a dower unit isn’t a fully independent dwelling—it relies on the main house for key functions—utilities like water and electricity are on one meter. That means we’ll need to agree with K on how to split those bills. This also opens up opportunities: We’ve spoken to Little Green about renewable energy options, like installing PV panels and battery storage. We’re currently considering the idea of charging a battery during off-peak times and using that stored energy to power K’s unit day-to-day—potentially integrating PV in the future for even greater efficiency.
At the time of writing, we’re still waiting to complete the sale of K’s house before we can begin the next chapter. But the vision is clear, and we’re excited to see it come to life.
JGA Case Studies: Client Reflections
One of our clients, who is further along in their journey, kindly shared their story of adapting a family home to support multi-generational living:
“Myself, my husband and our two young boys will soon be moving into my mum’s home—the house I grew up in. The idea gradually evolved after talking with Mum about our ongoing struggle to find a suitable long-term home of our own. At the same time, Mum was starting to find her house and garden a little trickier to manage, so living together became a practical solution.
It’s wonderful to know Mum can remain in her much-loved home, with support from us as and when she needs it. Of course, we’ll benefit too—having a live-in babysitter is a real perk!”
“We actually lived together during lockdown, so we’re confident it’ll work well. That said, our boys are growing fast, so the additional space the extension brings is going to be a game-changer. Mum will keep her lounge, bedroom, and ensuite, while we’ll have our own family lounge on the other side of the house (although the boys will undoubtedly be regular visitors to Granny!).”
“We’re extending the existing kitchen, which sits centrally in the home, and it’ll become a lovely shared hub. The new space includes a dining area with patio doors and a seating area at the other end—perfect for spending time together. We’re also adding a downstairs shower room and bedroom, which will serve as a guest room for now, and provide future flexibility. Upstairs, the boys will each have their own room and shower room, while we’re reconfiguring two existing bedrooms to create a new space for ourselves.”
“We’ve all put a lot of thought into the design, discussing our priorities and the compromises along the way. For example, we gave up a study in favour of extending the kitchen. JGA were incredibly helpful in shaping our ideas into a workable design. The best part is that Mum’s side of the house remains mostly unchanged—she’ll continue to use it just as she always has, albeit with a bit more background noise! My husband is ready to take on the gardening duties… now we just need to figure out the cooking rota!” – Clients of JGA
Looking Ahead
While each family’s journey into multi-generational living is unique, the common thread we see is a deep desire to stay connected and support one another—both practically and emotionally. Whether it’s creating a dower unit, extending an existing home, or simply reconfiguring spaces to suit changing needs, it’s clear that thoughtful design can have a transformative impact on how families live together.
At JGA, we’re proud to be helping families navigate this process—from the early stages of planning and design through to build and beyond. It’s incredibly rewarding to see these spaces come to life and to hear how they’re making a real difference to everyday life.
We’ll be sure to share updates as Miles’ own project progresses—and if you’re considering a similar path for your family, we’d love to hear from you!