Do I need planning permission for a house extension?

House extensions do not always require planning approval, some smaller projects such as a single-storey rear extension may not require planning approval if they meet certain requirements set out in the permitted development guidelines. Excela Architecture can advise you on whether your project will require planning approval or if your project can be done within the permitted development guidelines.

How Much does a planning application cost?

The cost of a planning application can vary depending on what type of planning application is to be submitted. A typical householder planning application is used for alterations to an existing dwelling, such as adding a house extension or a loft conversion. A householder planning application fee is £206.00. To add a new build house a full planning application is to be submitted, the fee for a full planning application is £462.00 per dwelling house.

What is permitted development?

Some projects do not require a planning application to be submitted to carry out minors works or changes. Permitted development rights enable you to make certain changes to a building without the need of applying for planning approval. Permitted development right are very complicated and not all houses in the UK have them as in certain areas Permitted development rights are revoked. Excela Architecture will carry out an assessment of the permitted development rights attached to your building.

What are building regulations?

The UK Building Regulations, are known as the approved documents and are split into sections known as parts, from A – R. This collection of documents details the required standards to which all building design and construction works must adhere to. These apply to almost all building works, therefore it is important to know when building control approval is needed and have the correct documentation to accompany a building control application.

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Barn conversion architects in Cheshire and Manchester

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Home extension architects in Cheshire and Manchester

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Barn conversion architects in Cheshire and Manchester

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HMO Architects In London

Finding a local architect to help you visualise your project can be daunting, At Excela Architecture London our aim is to make the process as smooth and easy as possible.

Contact your local Architects Today for a free quote

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Local Specialist HMO

Architects In London

London is considered a strong market for HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) investments for several compelling reasons, although it's not without risks. Here's why investors are often drawn to HMOs in London:

High Demand for Affordable Housing

Young professionals, students, and low-income workers often can't afford to rent entire flats.
HMOs offer cheaper individual rooms, making them attractive and consistently in demand.

Strong Rental Yields

In many parts of London, HMOs can outperform single-let properties in rental income.
A 4–6 bed HMO can produce 2–3x the rent of a single-family let, depending on the area.

Learn More

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HMO Article 4 In London

London is a unique, fast-paced, and densely populated city—unlike anywhere else in the UK. With soaring property prices, a highly diverse population, and constant pressure on housing supply, it’s no surprise that Article 4 Directions have been introduced across many parts of the capital to control HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) developments.

The city is made up of multiple boroughs, each governed by its own local council, with varying planning policies and restrictions. Many of these councils have implemented their own Article 4 Directions, removing permitted development rights for HMOs in certain areas.

To make navigating these rules more straightforward, it helps to group London’s boroughs into three main categories based on their current Article 4 status for HMO conversions:

Fully subject to Article 4
Partial subject to Article 4
No Article 4 in place

Fully subject to Article 4

Areas of London fully subject to Article 4 directions include:

Barking and Dagenham
Barnet
Brent
Bexley
Croydon
Enfield
Greenwich
Havering
Hounslow
Newham
Redbridge
Tower Hamlets
Waltham Forest

Best Boroughs for HMO Investment

Newham – high rental demand, relatively lower purchase prices
Lewisham
Croydon
Brent
Haringey
Harrow

Partially subject to Article 4

Areas of London partially subject to Article 4 directions include:

Bromley
Ealing
Haringey
Hillingdon
Lewisham
Merton
Southwark

Fully subject to Article 4

Areas of London fully subject to Article 4 directions include:

Barking and Dagenham
Barnet
Brent
Bexley
Croydon
Enfield
Greenwich
Havering
Hounslow
Newham
Redbridge
Tower Hamlets
Waltham Forest

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HMO Conversions Across London Boroughs

You may love your current property but feel it isn’t reaching its full potential—especially in a competitive city like London. If you’re looking to maximise rental income or adapt your property for multiple tenants, an HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) conversion could be the ideal solution—without the stress and cost of moving or purchasing new properties.

At Excela Architecture London, our specialist team of architects provides innovative design solutions tailored to HMO conversions. Whether you're looking to convert a single-family home into multiple rentable units or reconfigure your space to meet licensing and safety requirements, we’ll ensure your project is both functional and fully compliant. A well-executed HMO conversion can significantly increase your property’s rental yield and overall market value—often by 20% or more.

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Elmbridge

All our projects with Elmbridge Borough Council are carefully designed to ensure they meet local planning policies.

Ealing

Any work within Ealing requires a full assessment of local planning policies to give your project the best chance of planning approval.

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Learn more about your local HMO architect services

Our Design Process

About Us

Local HMO Architects Near Me In London

You may already own a property you love, but want to unlock its full potential—whether that's to increase rental income or create additional living space. Instead of dealing with the hassle and cost of buying elsewhere, converting your home into an HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) or adding an extension could be the ideal solution.

At Excela Architecture London, our London-based team specialises in HMO conversions, home extensions, and loft reconfigurations. We deliver creative architectural design solutions that make the most of your existing space while ensuring full compliance with planning and licensing requirements. Whether it’s adding extra bedrooms through a loft conversion, creating shared facilities with a rear extension, or reworking the layout for multiple tenants, we’ll help tailor the design to meet your investment goals.

A well-planned HMO conversion or extension in London doesn’t just improve functionality—it can also increase your property’s value by 10–20% and significantly boost your rental yield.

Why Choose a Local HMO Architect?

Every London borough comes with its own unique planning guidelines and constraints—including Local Planning Policies and special designations like conservation areas, heritage sites, areas of archaeological interest, and Flood Risk Zones. These factors can make securing planning permission for HMO conversions or extensions particularly complex.

That’s why it’s essential to work with an architectural team experienced in London’s planning landscape. A local architect who understands borough-specific Article 4 Directions, HMO licensing requirements, and design standards can help you avoid costly delays and compliance issues.

At Excela Architecture London, we bring deep local knowledge and hands-on experience across boroughs like Camden, Hackney, Wandsworth, and beyond. Whether you're planning a full HMO conversion, a loft extension to create extra bedrooms, or a layout reconfiguration to meet licensing criteria, we’re here to turn your ideas into a compliant, high-yield reality.

How Can Excela Architecture London Help Me?

Choosing the right architect for your HMO conversion or extension project in London can feel overwhelming—especially with so many practices offering different services and specialisms.

The key is to first understand your priorities: Are you focused on maximising rental yield, keeping to a strict budget, or achieving a specific design style, whether modern, contemporary, or traditional? Every HMO project is different, and your architect should be able to adapt their approach to suit your goals—whether it’s compliance-driven planning or creative spatial optimisation.

At Excela Architecture London, we specialise in bespoke HMO conversions and residential extensions, and tailor our services to meet your specific needs—be it for investment purposes, rental income, or long-term value. We provide clear, personalised fee proposals so you know exactly what to expect from the outset.