--- title: Blocks of Flats Conversion date: 2018-08-09T11:16:00+01:00 author: Marc Prior canonical_url: "https://www.assetsure.com/homes/blocks-flats-insurance/blocks-of-flats-conversion/" section: News --- Our Customers Love Us! Block of Flats Insurance [Trustpilot](https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/assetsure.com) ### Get a Quote [Get Quote](https://intasure.com/property-insurance/blocks-flats/?introducer=59999022) [Home](/) › [Property Insurance](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/) › [Block of Flats Insurance](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/blocks-flats-insurance/) › [Blocks of Flats Conversion](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/blocks-flats-insurance/blocks-of-flats-conversion/) # Blocks of Flats Conversion The purchase of buildings for conversion in to self contained flats is becoming more popular. Many landlords are waking up to the fact that buying and converting property in to two or more self contained units has a number of advantages. Often especially in inner city areas or areas of high employment, there is a big demand for flats, splitting a property in to a number of units can increase your rental income. Many landlords are interested in this process but do not know, where to start, we hope our guide proves useful. Before we start, it is worthwhile pointing out at this stage ( as this is most peoples first question) Yes- you do need planning permission to convert a house in to a block of flats. Building regulations define this as a change of usage and specify a list of requirements that will apply before planning permission can be granted. These conditions usually relate to fire escape safety matters, hygiene, sound insulation and the conversion of energy. You may find that all or some of the building will need to be upgraded to meet with these requirements. Having planning permission granted is not a forgone conclusion, it deciding on your application, local planning officers will take a number of factors in to consideration such as amenities, parking, the impact on neighbours. Don’t forget as well, neighbours in the area may also object to to your application so it is a good idea to do plenty of homework first. If there are other buildings in the area that have been converted in to flats, you may find that the number of objections are minimal ## Choosing the right Property 1. Choosing the right property to convert in to flats is essential, if you make a mistake at this stage all work and effort your place in to the project will be wasted. A good starting point always is to have a word with local letting agents in the area to discover what type of property rents the easiest. They will be able to give you the benefit of their experience and help you decide if there is a need for property that is split in to flats. 2. When you have done this, study the local social demographics, this information is usually available on line from a number of websites. Are there a large number of divorced or single people in the area, what are the main industries, is there a demand for housing from students or nurses etc. 3. Try to understand the local economy, if you convert your building in to flats, is there a good chance that you will be able to rent the property at the amount you want. 4. Once you have considered the above think about what would be renters look for in a property. Remember that young affluent renters may demand a high standard of finishing and if you do not equip your flat with this, it may not even make it pass the viewing stage. Also younger city dwellers tend to want to live fairly close to where they can spend their money and close to transport facilities. At the other end of the scale you may find that single parents or families will want a flat in a building that is close to a school or nursery **Planning** – When you have considered all the above and you have narrowed down the choice of property, consider that you should never buy a property on the assumption that you will be able to obtain planning permission, in some cases property that is sold with planning permission already granted is a real bonus. You should also consider the practicalities of any conversion and a good understanding of building regulations is a must as is an architectural understanding of your property. Have a look at the surrounding housing stock, is it similar, have other buildings already been converted in to flats. In this is the case then your chosen property should also lend itself to conversion **Costs** – Costs can vary from property to property but anywhere up to £40,000 is not unusual. To obtain the planning permission, and if you are serious, you should employ the services of an architect., he will draw up the plans for you and professionally drawn up plans will receive a favourable reception from town planners. The work itself will vary from house to house but usually include fire protection between all floors in the building or block and the installation of sound insulation. The plumbing will need to be split between the flats and in almost all cases, the wiring will have to be split. Each flat will also have to have a fire escape at the front and back of the building. **VAT** – One of the key issues for any landlord trying to make money out of property is the imposition of VAT on works carried out on property. Whilst the renting out of residential property is except from VAT, the renovation or conversion of the property is subject to VAT. However under the 2001 Urban Regeneration scheme aimed at this sector of the property market, the government decided to allow a lower VAT rate to apply to anyone wishing to upgrade or improve certain types of housing stock. Despite the name the exception applies to all qualifying buildings wherever they are located. This exception is not widely known but it does apply to buildings that were formerly single dwelling homes which you intend to convert in to multiple units. More information about Vat charged on buildings that are to be converted in to blocks of flats can be found in leaflet VAT notice 708. Another thing to take in to consideration when planning your conversion is that buildings with common parts will usually attract a single council tax rate but self contained units such as maisonettes may not. If you successfully manage to keep the council tax to a minimum on your property, you will increase your chances of receiving a good rental income. ## Latest News & Advice [![Britain needs more Flats](/assets/uploads/images/_800x405_crop_center-center_none/assetsure-banner-plain.jpg)](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/blocks-flats-insurance/britain-needs-more-flats/) ### [Britain needs more Flats](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/blocks-flats-insurance/britain-needs-more-flats/) We can trace the need to convert houses (including other buildings, not originally designed to be used as domestic dwelling homes) in to flats, back at least 150 years and possibly even further back to the time of the industrial revolution, which occurred in Great Britain during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century.... [![Valuing Freehold Interest](/assets/uploads/images/_800x405_crop_center-center_none/assetsure-banner-plain.jpg)](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/blocks-flats-insurance/valuing-freehold-interest/) ### [Valuing Freehold Interest](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/blocks-flats-insurance/valuing-freehold-interest/) If you are interested in buying the freehold of your block of flats, you will need to know, how much it is likely to cost you. Having this information to hand for all interested flat owners, before you proceed too deeply in to negotiations is a must... [![Resident Management Company](/assets/uploads/images/_800x405_crop_center-center_none/assetsure-banner-plain.jpg)](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/blocks-flats-insurance/resident-management-company/) ### [Resident Management Company](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/blocks-flats-insurance/resident-management-company/) The owners of individual flats in a block, typically come from all walks of life, they may have nothing in common apart from the fact they live in the same building, which either purpose built or converted contains a number of self contained dwelling units.... [More News](https://assetsure.com/news) [Trustpilot](https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/assetsure.com) [ View All ](https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/assetsure.com)[ Get Quote ](#quickQuote) [Most Popular](#tabs__tabmost-popular)[Jewellery](#tabs__tabjewellery)[Leisure](#tabs__tableisure)[Collectables](#tabs__tabcollectables)[Events](#tabs__tabevents)[Hearing Aids](#tabs__tabhearing-aids)[Property](#tabs__tabhomes) [#### Engagement Ring Insurance ![Engagement Ring Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/engagement-ring-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/engagement-ring-insurance/) [#### Watch Insurance ![Watch Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/watch-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/watch-insurance/) [#### Camera Insurance ![Camera Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/camera-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/leisure/camera-insurance/) [#### Home Insurance ![Home Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/home-insurance-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/home-insurance/) [#### Collectable Insurance ![Collectable Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/collectables-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/collectables/other/) [#### Bicycle Insurance ![Bicycle Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/bike-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/bicycles/bicycle-insurance/) [ All Insurances](https://www.assetsure.com/insurance/) [#### Engagement Ring Insurance ![Engagement Ring Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/engagement-ring-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/engagement-ring-insurance/) [#### Insurance for Jewellery Collections ![Insurance for Jewellery Collections](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/jewellery-collection-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/insurance-for-jewellery-collections/) [#### Watch Insurance ![Watch Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/watch-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/watch-insurance/) [#### Wedding Ring Insurance ![Wedding Ring Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/wedding-ring-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/wedding-ring-insurance/) [#### Diamond Ring Insurance ![Diamond Ring Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/diamond-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/diamond-ring-insurance/) [#### Earrings Insurance ![Earrings Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/Earing-emerald-shutterstock_1156023577-mid.jpg)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/earrings-insurance/) [#### Standalone Jewellery Insurance ![Standalone Jewellery Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/Standalone-Jewellery_-Shutterstock_2493208421.jpg)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/jewellery-insurance/) [#### Ring Insurance ![Ring Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/ring-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/ring-insurance/) [#### Rolex Watch Insurance ![Rolex Watch Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/rolex-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/rolex-insurance/) [#### Single Item Insurance ![Single Item Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/single-item-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/single-item-insurance/) [#### Safe Deposit Box Insurance ![Safe Deposit Box Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/safe-box-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/safe-deposit-box-insurance/) [ All Insurances](https://www.assetsure.com/insurance/) [#### Camera Insurance ![Camera Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/camera-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/leisure/camera-insurance/) [#### Musical Instrument Insurance ![Musical Instrument Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/Guitar-thumb.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/leisure/musical-instrument-insurance/) [#### Bicycle Insurance ![Bicycle Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/bike-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/bicycles/bicycle-insurance/) [ All Insurances](https://www.assetsure.com/insurance/) [#### Antique Insurance ![Antique Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/Antiques-thumb.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/collectables/antique-insurance/) [#### Coin Insurance ![Coin Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/coins-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/collectables/coin-collections/) [#### Fine Art Insurance ![Fine Art Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/fine-art-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/collectables/fine-art-insurance/) [#### Handbag Insurance ![Handbag Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/handbag-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/collectables/handbag-insurance/) [#### Militaria & Military Collectables Insurance ![Militaria & Military Collectables Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/military-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/collectables/militaria-insurance/) [#### Stamp Insurance ![Stamp Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/stamps-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/collectables/stamp-collections/) [#### Wine Insurance ![Wine Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/wine-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/collectables/wine-insurance/) [ All Insurances](https://www.assetsure.com/insurance/) [ All Insurances](https://www.assetsure.com/insurance/) [#### Hearing Aid Insurance ![Hearing Aid Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/hearing-aid-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/hearing-aids/hearing-aid-insurance/) [ All Insurances](https://www.assetsure.com/insurance/) [#### Home Insurance ![Home Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/home-insurance-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/home-insurance/) [#### High Net Worth Home Insurance ![High Net Worth Home Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/High-net-worth-thumb.jpg)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/high-net-worth-home-insurance/) [#### Listed Buildings Insurance ![Listed Buildings Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/Listed-building-thumb.jpg)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/listed-buildings-insurance/) [#### Holiday Home Insurance ![Holiday Home Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/Holiday-home-thumb.jpg)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/holiday-home-cover/) [#### Buy To Let Insurance ![Buy To Let Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/Buy-to-let-thumb.jpg)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/buy-to-let-insurance/) [ All Insurances](https://www.assetsure.com/insurance/)