10/03/2023
🏘️HMO’s - Permitted Development and Planning Permission🏘️
🔑One of the most fundamental aspects of our business model is understanding the intracasies of permitted development and planning permission to the nth degree. Not only just understanding them, but having a comprehensive base of knowledge when it comes to these two aspects. Essentially, without the key knowledge of these two areas, and without the help of our fantastic architects, our business model simply wouldn’t be as efficient and successful as it is.
🔌Generally speaking, both permitted development and planning are required in our projects, across the areas we operate in. A good understanding of Article 4 and how that can affect your PD rights (or not) goes along way.
We have found that Planning Permission and Article 4 in particular seems to put a lot investors off an area, perhaps either through lack of knowledge or understanding or the nuances around these key areas. So while it would appear that A4 seems to make everything more difficult, the reality is that it actually creates more value within those properties that have either C4 or Suis Generis use.
📍Let’s take Portsmouth and Southampton for example, Article 4 directions are in place in both locations. Meaning that we need planning permission to convert any C3 residential dwelling into a C4 or Suis Generis HMO. Compare that to parts of Bournemouth for example where there isn’t such a blanket covering of Article 4, thus meaning we can convert a C3 dwelling into a 6 bed HMO under Permitted Development.
⚖️Everyone will place themselves at different positions on the “richter scale” in terms of risk. Some will be happy to go down the full planning route, and others will not. That’s absolutely fine - it’s about working out what works for your or I.
🔬With planning, there is always risk and certainly nothing is ever guaranteed. No matter how much you know or how experienced your architect is. But what is important is doing as much as physically possible to mitigate any potential risks. As with anything, this comes with experience, trial and error continuous learning.