Tag: flat

Flat Conversions

Flat Conversions – A Step-By-Step Guide

5th January 20230

The prospect of transforming houses into a flat is becoming exceedingly popular. With a high demand for flats across the South East, breaking a property down into units can increase the potential for rental income in the short term. It can also improve profit on sales in the long term.

The only major obstacle many people face is – how do you know where to start? Here at Pro Arkitects – Design & Build Experts, we can tell you everything about converting houses into flats.

Step 1: Market Researching

One question many landlords fail to ask when purchasing a house is – are flats wanted in the neighbourhood? This is an important topic to consider because if an error occurs, the effects could be highly costly. It’s crucial to make sure you have a market for your new properties before you have even thought about conversions. We understand that market research takes time. However, it is the best way to ensure that the flats you’re intending to build are wanted.

Furthermore, it’s worth pointing out that some communities and neighbourhoods are in more significant demand of flats than others. An ideal method for elevating profits is researching the market because in-demand locations and higher rents go well together.

Step 2: Implications for Planning

Contacting the planning department of your local council is the next thing you’ll have to do. As you will more than likely need permission. If the project is accepted and permission is granted, you’ll have to apply for Building Regulations before any work commences.

If you haven’t yet purchased the house you intend to convert into flats, you should check with the local planning department before investing. Additionally, there may be certain requirements for you to consider. These can vary from; minimum flat size, soundproofing between the neighbouring flats, insulation for energy efficiency and comfort, fire safety, and potentially more. Parking availability may also play a role. These necessities of course depend upon the respective neighbourhood.

As well as this, you will need to consult a solicitor to make sure there are no legal restrictions preventing your planned renovations from taking place. Your lender will also be required to be involved in your plans if the house is being mortgaged. Certain banks are willing to accommodate landlords by offering loans to assist with the development and/or refurbishment. Others, however, will be more discouraging and will not allow mortgage holders to transform their houses into flats.

Step 3: The Costing Element

Varying vastly from property to property, the cost of converting your house into flats will depend upon the size, the design of the new house, and the number of flats being converted. Approximately, you’d be expected to pay £25,000 for a simple conversion. This will involve the placement of new walls and the installations of central heating units and bathrooms. Moreover, you will need to talk to utility companies to ensure that each flat has its own electricity, gas, and water meters.

Step 4: Legal Requirements for a flat

It is crucial that you inform the solicitor handling the legal transaction of your conversion plans. In addition to this, your solicitor should be able to draw up leases for separate dwellings. Which you will require if you then plan on selling the properties.

Transforming a house into flats is a strong way of making a profit, but sometimes, not all houses are good candidates. This is where your estate agent comes in. They can help you in finding the ideal property to convert, whilst determining which neighbourhoods offer the greatest potential.

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Flat Conversions

What you need to know about converting a house into flats 

10th November 20220

We all know that there aren’t enough homes in the UK for its growing population. So, converting a house into two or more flats is becoming increasingly popular. More homeowners are now realising that splitting their property into units helps them increase rental income and increase property value. 

Here is a guide on turning your house into flats –  

Firstly, do your research –  

An essential part of the process is researching the area ore looking to convert in and what the rental market looks like.  

Some of the things you need to look for is –  

  • If there are flats in demand in the area 
  • If your area is close to or within a busy commuter area 
  • And what the average rental income for similar properties in the area are.  

You should research thoroughly and compile as much information as possible before you decide to make the jump.  

Planning permission –  

If a house has to be divided into multiple plats, it will be required to acquire planning permission. The local authority will be able to decide the size of each flat, how many rooms there will be and if you will be able to go ahead with the conversion.   

If you haven’t yet purchased the house you intend to convert into flats, you should check with the local planning department before investing. Additionally, there may be certain requirements for you to consider. These can vary from; minimum flat size, soundproofing between the neighbouring flats, insulation for energy efficiency and comfort, fire safety, and potentially more. Parking availability may also play a role. 

Building regulations –  

When a property is converted, it is required to get approval under the Building Regulations. It is required under the Housing Act 2004 for sub-divided buildings to meet standards. Also. There are likely to be health and safety laws to adhere to, such as providing fire escapes, fire alarms, separate electricity supplies, and so on.   

Flats conversion costs –  

In addition the cost of converting a house into flats depends on the property. Factors that can influence the cost are: 

  • Size of the property  
  • Condition of the house 
  • Number of flats to be converted to 

Obviously, the cost varies enormously, depending on the area you choose to buy in, the style of property that you purchase, and the sort of conversion you want to carry out. So, as a ballpark figure, expect to pay around £25,000 for a basic conversion. 

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Extensions, House Extension

The Ultimate Beginners Guide To Ground Floor Flat Extensions

12th November 20210

Improving your home is becoming very popular among homeowners who are looking for more space. This is because with property prices increasing, it is becoming more expensive to move houses. If you own a ground floor flat it can be greatly improved by a bit of construction work.  

Ownership of the flat –  

Firstly, if you are a leaseholder and want to commence works on the property, you must get freeholder consent before you can carry out any internal or proposed building extensions.  

The lease plans will tell you whether the demised premises space is occupied under a lease contract. This includes the garden that comes with the flat, or whether you simply have permission to use it. Some leases don’t allow any construction to take place in the garden, so make sure you check.  

Do you need planning permission?  

Before going into the planning process, it’s a good idea to know what you are trying to gain from the proposed space.   

When adding an extension onto a ground floor flat, planning permission is a must. However, with the right architects by your side, this doesn’t have to be stressful. 

To add an extension to your flat you must apply for planning permission. If your flat is a listed building it is likely that you will need listed building consent. You should contact your local planning authority for advice before you start work. 

Adding work to a listed building that affects the historical character without consent is a criminal offense. 

However, if you are using an architect, they will be the best people to guide and advise you through the planning process.  

Planning your design for the flat extension –  

Once your planning is approved it is a good idea to plan and understand exactly what you require to do with the new space. Do you want to extend the kitchen? Open up the living room? Or create another bedroom?  

It is also important to play around with the space and work out the best layout for the extension. A popular element many homeowners like to include is natural daylight. So, to increase the property value and aesthetic of the home you should think about including skylights and bi-folding doors.  

Lewisham basement flat extension - JNJ Building Solutions

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Architecture & Building, Flat Conversions

Looking To Live In A Maisonette? Everything You Should Know

13th October 20210

What is a maisonette?  

It is a set of rooms for living in, typically on two storeys of a larger building and having a separate entrance.  

The difference between a maisonette and a flat –  

A maisonette is a two-storey flat, where the front door is your own. This means you can exit your home directly to the outside. However, with a regular flat, you have a shared corridor. And your usual flat consists of several rooms that span a single floor.  

Maisonettes are often more bespoke than flats and aren’t typically sold as part of a development block. They also vary largely in square footage, layout, and spec. Living in a maisonette also gives you more outside space as opposed to a flat.  

Is a maisonette a house? 

They are not necessarily a house although they can come with similar square footage and many of the same perks. For instance, they offer similar privacy to that of a house, and they are argued to be safer. Because with all the windows on the higher level, and the only access is the front for it is less likely you would get burgled. 

Maisonettes are ideal for families because just like a house they often house gardens and sometimes even garages. However, the garden might have to be shared with others in the flats. And you’ll have to access the garden separately outside, typically through a side gate.  

Where can I find them?  

In the UK maisonettes are not uncommon, you can find them usually above shops, in town centres and close to cities. Due to them being slightly smaller and more affordable than a house many are located in cities.  

They are also popular in areas with lots of students because landlords convert one house into two separate dwellings to take on more tenants.  

Is it good to live in one?  

There are plenty of advantages to living in a maisonette the first one is that they are warm and cosy. Being upstairs is a major positive especially in the winter because the heat from the downstairs flat rises and it heats up the house.  

Maisonettes often also have a lot of storage compared to a flat or an apartment. This is because most of them have exterior storage such as a garage.  

Maisonettes itself would be about 20-25% cheaper than the equivalent space in that block.  

Some negatives to living in one –  

Although there are many positives, there are some hurdles to living in a maisonette. With either no off-road parking or a shared driveway parking you can be difficult. And a lot of people find parking on a residential street a nightmare.  

When living above someone you have to be extra neighbourly, you need to be respectful and keep an eye on the amount of noise you make.  

8 Maisonette Designs That Are a Step Up from Your Usual HDBs | Qanvast
A modern maisonette

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