Most of the cost and risk in an HMO is decided at the design stage. In Birstall we start by measuring every room and checking Charnwood Borough 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 Charnwood Borough Council
| Rule | Charnwood Borough Council |
|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO licence (5+ people) | In force everywhere in England |
| Additional HMO licensing | In force Whole borough, 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2028 |
| Selective licensing | In part of the area Hastings and Lemyngton wards in Loughborough, 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2028 |
| Article 4 direction for small HMOs | In part of the area Loughborough, since 12 February 2012 |
Checked October 2026 against Charnwood Borough Council's HMO licensing page. Schemes change, so we confirm the position for your address before any work starts.
Charnwood Borough Council's Article 4 direction covers Loughborough, not Birstall, so changing a family house here into a small HMO is usually permitted development. Seven or more occupants always needs planning permission. Charnwood Borough Council also runs additional licensing across its whole area (until 31 March 2028), so smaller HMOs with three or four people from two or more households need a licence too.
Large HMO conversions for Birstall landlords
For larger houses and buildings in Birstall, 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 Birstall and across Leicestershire where a six-bedroom layout would leave usable space empty.
- Fire strategy agreed with building control at the start
- Feasibility check of the building, layout and planning policy
- Planning drawings and room schedule for the application
- Handover file prepared for the mandatory licence
- Kitchens and bathrooms sized to council amenity standards
Large HMO conversions near Birstall
- Belgrave 1.2 miles
- Stoneygate 1.8 miles
- Humberstone 1.8 miles
- Syston 2.4 miles
- Glenfield 3.6 miles
- Knighton 4.1 miles