Remortgaging a property after adding an extension

Remortgaging a property after adding an extension

10:06 AM, 26th September 2014, About 10 years ago 11

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I am looking to remortgage a BTL property for the first time, which has been renovated. The outbuilding was converted to a sunroom/lounge and have added a shower/WC which is under the permitted development specs. Remortgaging a property after adding an extension

The house has 5 beds but only 2 floors, apparently some lenders specify that if there are 5 occupants it will be classed as an HMO and would need the Council’s confirmation to the contrary before they can lend.

I am seeking recommendations about the pros and cons of remortgaging a property of this kind as I have no experience so far.

Any suggestions of lenders who will be prepared to lend as a standard BTL would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Lali


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6:25 AM, 1st October 2014, About 10 years ago

Oh dear.

For the sake of future readers, let's be clear.

Councils do not have the power to amend what is and is not an HMO.

An HMO is formed when a house is let to 3 or more individuals forming more than one household and sharing facilities. Number of floors is not relevant. This 'small' HMO can be brought under licensing IF the council goes through due process to bring in Additional Licencing. Even if they don't, its usage as an HMO brings it and the landlord under the Management Regulations that come with the potential for large fines and enforcement if not followed.

Mandatory Licencing comes in when the house is rented to 5 or more people and has 3 or more floors and facilities are shared.

Councils DO have the right to fiddle with the standards they require for each licence type and for small HMOs within their area. They often set minimum room sizes, room to amenity ratios, the need for a washbasin in each bedroom etc.

The above is just Licencing.....

For the unwary, building regulations, planning (including their ability to introduce Article 4 directives to require permission for a small HMO), council tax (VOA) are all also very interested in HMOs and ALL have different definitions of how and when one is created and what the impact on the owner is when that definition is hit. Clearly, all work performed on the way to an HMO is subject to building regulations even where the change of use to HMO is permitted development (eg a new stud wall has building regulations to meet).

Then we have lenders who decide that they will define 'HMO' in yet more ways, this time to market segment their products to set borrower qualification criteria and rates.

The best way to view a 'council' is like the EU.....made up of lots of 'states' who theoretically work together but in reality don't talk to each other and operate to their own rules. You have to understand and meet each department's rules or face that department's fines or enforcement.

Put together, this field of mines is there to trap (and fine or enforce) the unwary even before they start to decide which 6 strangers will be happy living together and sharing a toilet....

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