HMOs are a typical point where a clash of opinions occurs.

HMOs get valued as commercial properties, but HMOs converted from what was an ordinary residential property, rather than a commercial to residential conversion such as a pub or offices are NOT a commercial property, but a residential property temporarily being used for a commercial purpose.

These are the main differences between actual...

Updated HMOs information here

THE QUESTION

I got an HMO which meets full HMO regulations. I'm thinking of making it into a B&B which will certainly generate more income.

I'm going to remortgage ASAP. How do I prove the income as a B&B? Do I need to wait for one year?

THE ANSWER

If you are looking to remortgage, commercial lenders will view an HMO and a B&B completely...

THE QUESTION

With regard to mortgages and HMOs if you buy a house using a BTL mortgage, with a no Early Repayment Charge can you then convert the property to an HMO and swap the mortgage over to an HMO mortgage?

THE ANSWER

Great strategy... if you want to get yourself blacklisted by No ERC mortgage lenders!

These lenders get really annoyed at being used as surrogate bridging...

Your question:

A friend of mine has just been offered an HMO in need of some work. There's probably about £20k in the deal, so it's probably worth looking at from that point of view. Could be flipped or end up as NMLI.

But...

It's a Wimpey no-fines house, ie poured concrete construction. I have heard that BM lend on these, but thinking of an exit strategy (immediate or in future)...

I can see people are puzzled as to why HMO's aren't valued as a simple multiple of income by commercial lenders when commercial properties usually are.

I would suggest it is because there are some fundamental differences between the two…

Commercial

1. leases are long, up to 20 years
2. lenders take comfort from the lease providing an increased likelihood that the loan will continue to be...