If you are the freeholder of your home, you are halfway there to becoming a property developer…

I have listed the key points below on how our smarter homeowners are converting their properties into a passive income by securing planning permission and becoming a property developer.

Despite Brexit being announced in 2016, the property prices have been increasing at a record high.

The average value of homes in areas such as Waltham Forest, Newham, Havering, Redbridge and Croydon have seen a rise of 18% to 23.7%.

What does this mean for my home?

If you have newly purchased a property for your family I would suggest bookmarking this page for a later date.

However, if your home is nearing its sell-by-date and the rooms that once held memories are collecting dust then it may be time to inject a new lease of life into your initial investment.

FACT: On average UK homes, have nearly doubled in value over the course of a decade.

Take a step on the developer ladder.

Subject to your area, property, and circumstances I would suggest one of the following three options:

• • Getting Started: Extend and remodel your property.

This may be the most economic option as it allows for you to create additional floor space and revitalize a tired interior by upgrading fixtures.

• • Short Term Growth: Subdivide your property into unit(s).

A flat conversion is a good strategy if you would like a quick turn-around. This option allows for you to remodel and sell your property for a return of investment.

*Subject to no Article 4 Direction prohibited this development type.

• • Long Term Growth: Change the use of your property from C3 to C4 Housing Multiple Occupancy.

Dependent on the demand within your area this approach will allow for 6 unrelated occupants to share a single-family dwelling. In the long-run, you can benefit from a consistent rental income.

*Subject to no Article 4 Direction prohibited this development type.

This sounds expensive.

As a rule of thumb, you should allow for appx. £1,200 per square meter when extending your home.

However, this figure could range from £20,000 to £45,000 including the soft and hard finishes.

Note: Investing early in good design will pay your development back in dividends.

An experienced designer who has an in-depth knowledge of the built environment will be able to propose a cost-effective layout which considers economical drainage solutions, noise interference and reduced material consumption by working around load-bearing walls, stacking rooms, and maximizing the use of construction methods.

I would suggest beginning at a pace that is both economically and financially comfortable for yourself and to allow for a 10% contingency amount.

Do I need planning permission?

All external alterations would require planning permission.

* Subject to your local authority and property type.

If you would like to extend, convert and/ or change the use of your property you would require planning permission.

Confused by the jargon and need a specialist?

Do not rush into your project.

A small scale development typically has a life-line of 8-12 months, therefore, this gives you plenty of time to propose a strong execution plan.

Once our team have conducted a feasibility report of the development potentials of your property refine the project brief together with your timeframe, budget and overall vision.

If you are ready to transition from a homeowner to a successful property developer, increase your return on investment by contacting info@zanopy.co.uk 

Semsettin Karahan is the architectural designer at Zanoply Ltd. As a graduate of the Oxford School of Architecture, Semsettin has been shortlisted and featured in a number of exhibitions; publications. He worked for the top architects within London as a designer and an associate director on a range of design builds ranging from residential to commercial projects. At the age of 22, Semsettin secured his first private planning permission for a residential flat conversion. A year later he became the youngest designer in London to proposed and construct a new-build dwelling. Semsettin’s attention for detail derives from his 7 years of experience within the design industry from being the Editor at OSA, Photographer at Cowley News and leading installation builds as a set designer, product designer for film companies and International drinks manufacturers.