We all know that there aren’t enough homes in the UK for its growing population.
One way to increase that number is by building – but that’s expensive and there’s always a battle over which land is suitable for people to live on. Another way is to divide houses up into flats, which helps more people have their own front door while increasing the earnings of landlords – a win all round.
As architects and planning consultants specialising in property conversions, we have helped dozens of landlords take advantage of the booming UK property sector to successfully convert their properties into multiple flats and significantly increase their wealth.
If you are serious about maximising your property’s potential, we can help you design your flat conversion to maximise the number of flats, the value of your property and your rental income.
As our client, we can oversee every stage of your flat conversion project, from planning permission and building regulations to contractor selection and construction inspection, and guide you every step of the way.
As a property investor, it can take imagination to maximise your property’s assets. Initially, it may seem rather daunting to convert a house into flats, studios, or maisonettes, but we have the experience and enthusiasm to guide you throughout the whole process from beginning to end.
As architects and planning consultants specialising in converting houses into flats, we’ll help you assess and realise the potential of converting your house into self-contained flats. We’ll assess whether your property is suitable for sub-division, evaluate your development’s potential and advise you on timescale and budget considerations.
Using our flat conversion expertise, we’ll formulate astute design and planning strategies to subdivide your house into flats and achieve the maximum number of units.
We know exactly what planning officers require for approving flat conversion planning applications, from minimum space standards and preferred flat conversion layout plans to qualitative principles of residential conversions and amenity spaces. We’ll guide you through every stage of the complex process of obtaining planning permission from your council for converting your house into flats.
We’ll recommend the most advantageous use of space to create the maximum number of flats that could be rented or sold individually for the best financial outcome. Our design concepts create spacious, bright flats to attract ideal future tenants or buyers.
By placing your best interests at the heart of your development’s success, we’ll design a layout that will maximise the full potential of the space you have so that you can generate significant returns on your investment.
Once we’ve secured planning permission for splitting your house into flats, we progress to the Technical Design + Building Regulations stage, followed by the Contract Administration + Construction Inspection stage, where your concept will be transformed into concrete reality.
Based on our extensive experience working with builders for property conversion projects, we’ve developed proven steps and a hands-on construction inspection approach to help you avoid possible complications that may arise on-site and monitor your flat conversion costs. By doing this, you will build your new flats with minimal stress and complete your project on time and on budget.
“ They helped me almost triple my rental income! I got my planning permission not just for converting my house into flats but for also extending my property. I quickly realised how an architect could do much more for me! ”
John R. — London
“ I buy a lot of properties, use a lot of property development strategies and have tried many architecture companies in London through my long history with property investment. I have never seen support as professional, excellent or quick as I get from this architecture office. Nor I felt the kind of care, concern and desire to help meet-our-team I see with them. They are really one in a million! Many thanks. ”
Wills — Berkshire
“ Ufuk was very helpful from the start. Very quick and professional service. Site survey booked within 2 days of instruction. Planning application submitted very quickly. Very good communication on telephone and email. ”
Fareda B. — Kent
“ I’m very pleased with the service I received by Nicole. She provided all the papers I needed for my planning permission application. Highly recommend her. Thank you. ”
Wahida — London
“ I buy a lot of properties, use a lot of property development strategies and have tried many architecture companies in London through my long history with property investment. I have never seen support as professional, excellent or quick as I get from this architecture office. Nor I felt the kind of care, concern and desire to help people I see with them. They are really one in a million! Many thanks. ”
Wills M. — Berkshire
Initially it may seem rather daunting to convert a house into two or more flats, but we have the experience and enthusiasm to guide you throughout the whole process, from beginning to end.
BA(Hons) MSc MRTPI
Director, Chartered Town Planner
Converting houses into flats is becoming increasingly popular. Since there is a high demand for flats in London and in other urban British areas, splitting a property into two or more flats will maximise both your rental income in the short-term, and profit on sale in the long-term. In other words, your flat conversion can add substantial value to your property and increase its rental yield.
For example, if you decide to sell, you will effectively have two or more properties to generate money from, not just one. Or if you decide to rent, you will generate a higher amount of rent with the more rentable properties that you have.
If you convert your house into two flats, you will generate almost two times more rent or if you convert your house into three flats, you will generate almost three times more than you would normally achieve.
But where do you start?
Although certain common building projects fall under ‘permitted development rights’ and do not require planning permission, you will require planning consent and building regulations approval for converting your house into flats. So, besides ensuring your contractors are converting your property on-time and on-budget, you will need to ensure you get the design right and comply with statutory requirements.
As architects and planning consultants specialising in converting properties, we can advise you on how to make the best use of your property and carry out the alterations to a high standard. We can also apply for flat conversion planning permission and building control on your behalf – providing you peace of mind through achieving compliance with planning and building regulations.
To get planning permission and comply with building regulations for flat conversion, your proposal should be acceptable in terms of layout and functional needs of the development; siting, massing and scale of new buildings; architectural style and materials; spatial and visual character of the surrounding area; landform and landscaping; privacy and amenity, including the avoidance of pollution; crime prevention measures; energy efficiency; and building regulations.
At Urbanist Architecture, we positively encourage conversions, provided that the buildings to be converted are suitable for that purpose and the conversion itself will not lead to harm. We believe that flat conversions, if done correctly, can contribute to urban regeneration and prevent pressure for housing on Green Belt sites.
The types of properties we work on for flat conversion include large detached houses, semi-detached houses or terraced houses that are located in sustainable locations and are no longer suitable for single-family occupation. As flat conversion architects, we have helped dozens of landlords take advantage of the booming UK property sector to successfully convert their properties into multiple flats and significantly increase their wealth. We can help you too.
We are a multidisciplinary team of architects, planning consultants, interior designers and project managers offering multiple services under one roof. When you work with our firm, you have the support of our entire studio behind you - no matter what.
Extensions with extra space, light, comfort and good vibes
Conversion of houses into multiple flats with greatest return
Custom houses with refined and beautifully proportioned spaces
Block of flats with maximum value and commercial viability
New use class system with huge opportunities and flexibility
HMO conversions with decent standards and maximum yields
We specialise in crafting creative design and planning strategies to unlock the hidden potential of developments, secure planning permission and deliver imaginative projects on tricky sites
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