A standard semi-detached house converted into a fully compliant, five-bedroom HMO — building work, compliance, and ongoing management all handled by Novari.
The client owned a semi-detached house in London that was being underused as a single-let property. They wanted to maximise the rental yield by converting it into an HMO, but did not know where to start with planning, licensing, or the building work required.
They came to Novari with two requirements: handle everything from start to finish, and take over ongoing management once the property was tenanted.
We started with a full compliance assessment. The property required an HMO licence from the local authority, which we applied for and managed on the client's behalf. We also advised on fire safety requirements before any building work began, so every element of the conversion was designed to meet the final inspection standard from the outset.
The fire safety specification included upgraded fire doors on all habitable rooms, a full interlinked fire alarm system, emergency lighting in the communal areas, and fire action notices throughout.
Our in-house team carried out all structural and internal works. The existing layout was reconfigured to create five well-proportioned bedrooms, with improvements to the shared kitchen and bathroom facilities to meet the minimum standards required for the number of occupants.
The kitchen was fully refitted with new units, dark worktops, a gas hob, and integrated appliances. Bathrooms were retiled and replumbed. All electrical circuits were rewired and certified under a new EICR. The entire property was replastered, painted throughout in a clean, neutral scheme, and finished with new flooring in all rooms and communal areas.
The conversion was completed on time and within budget. The HMO licence was granted before the final works were finished, meaning there was no delay between completion and letting. All five rooms were tenanted within three weeks of the property being made available.
The client now has zero involvement in the day-to-day running of the property. Novari manages all maintenance, handles tenant queries, oversees compliance certificate renewals, and provides a monthly income statement. The rental income from the property is significantly higher than it was as a single let.
If you own a property in London or South Wales and want to explore whether an HMO conversion is right for you, we offer a free, no-obligation assessment.
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