Most of the cost and risk in an HMO is decided at the design stage. In Allestree we start by measuring every room and checking Derby City Council's position on licensing and planning, then build the specification around it.
Because we also manage and maintain HMOs, we design with day-to-day running in mind: hard-wearing finishes, sensible storage and layouts that keep shared spaces usable.
HMO rules in Derby City Council
| Rule | Derby City Council |
|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO licence (5+ people) | In force everywhere in England |
| Additional HMO licensing | None found |
| Selective licensing | None found |
| Article 4 direction for small HMOs | In part of the area Arboretum ward and parts of seven wards inside the ring road, since 3 May 2025 |
Checked October 2026 against Derby City Council's HMO licensing page. Schemes change, so we confirm the position for your address before any work starts.
Derby City Council's Article 4 direction covers Arboretum ward and parts of the wards inside the ring road, not Allestree, so changing a family house here into a small HMO is usually permitted development. Seven or more occupants always needs planning permission. We found no additional licensing scheme in force in Derby City Council, so the mandatory licence for five or more people is the main one to plan for.
Our large HMO conversion service in Allestree
For larger houses and buildings in Allestree, we assess whether an HMO for seven or more people is realistic before any design money is spent. That means checking local planning policy, the structure, the escape routes and how many kitchens and bathrooms the occupancy would need.
If the scheme works, we prepare the planning drawings, agree the fire strategy with building control and build floor by floor. It suits bigger properties in Allestree and across Derbyshire where a six-bedroom layout would leave usable space empty.
- Handover file prepared for the mandatory licence
- Floor-by-floor build programme with building control inspections
- Planning drawings and room schedule for the application
- Feasibility check of the building, layout and planning policy
- Fire strategy agreed with building control at the start
Large HMO conversions near Allestree
- Derby 1.7 miles
- Littleover 2.7 miles
- Chaddesden 2.8 miles
- Mickleover 3.4 miles
- Alvaston 4.8 miles
- Belper 5.5 miles