Skip to content
Change of use & HMOs

HMO conversions

We prepare planning applications for small and large HMOs, from converting a family house to extending an existing HMO.

Benjamin Plunkett, Managing Director
โœ“Free home visit โœ“No obligation โœ“Honest advice โœ“Fixed price Ben, our Managing Director and Planning & Heritage Consultant, will visit your property anywhere in our six council areas.
Floor plans for an HMO conversion

Small and large HMOs

  • Small HMOs (three to six occupants) are use class C4. Changing from a house (C3) is often permitted development, unless an Article 4 direction applies.
  • Large HMOs (seven or more occupants) are "sui generis" and need planning permission.

What councils look at

  • Bedroom sizes and shared living space
  • Parking, cycle storage and bins
  • Noise and disturbance for neighbours
  • The concentration of HMOs in the area
  • Outdoor amenity space

How we help

We survey the property, design a layout that works for tenants and meets the standards, and prepare the planning case. We have prepared HMO applications across Suffolk and Essex, including extensions to existing HMOs.

Benjamin PlunkettCharlie Plunkett

Who'll handle your project: Benjamin Plunkett, our Managing Director and Planning & Heritage Consultant, is your point of contact from the first site visit to the decision. Charlie Plunkett MCIAT produces the drawings.

About us
Questions

Frequently asked questions

Can I extend an HMO?

Yes, with the right permissions. Extensions to HMOs are assessed like other extensions, plus the effect of extra occupants. We've handled several.

Do you check licensing room sizes?

We design with the licensing standards in mind, but the licence itself is a separate application to the council's housing team.

Benjamin Plunkett, Managing Director
Free home visit

Thinking about a project?

Ben, our Managing Director and Planning & Heritage Consultant, will come to you, look at the property and tell you honestly what's likely to get approved. Free, with no obligation, anywhere in Tendring, Babergh, Colchester, Braintree, Maldon and Ipswich districts.

Planning consultants and chartered designers in one team: drawings designed to get approved, with the same people from site visit to decision.

๐Ÿ“ž CallBook a free visit