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If you have additional rooms in your house, you may be thinking of letting them out in order to bring in an additional income. Alternatively, you may be in the process of building a home that you can turn into an HMO (“House in Multiple Occupation”). What you may not be aware of is that there are strict rules when it comes to HMOs and it is worth knowing this before you begin letting out rooms or beginning work on any extension or construction project.

Changes to planning rules could potentially have a massive impact on future construction plans. One of the biggest and most significant is home extensions. This can apply to extensions of up to two stories. However, this is not the only big change that is being presented in Parliament at the time of writing.

New rules

Agora Architects strongly believe in ensuring that our clients get the best architectural services possible. In order to understand how this benefits you as a client, here are four points to consider.

Professionally qualified

The title ‘architect’ is a legally protected title, that indicates that the person is a qualified and licenced design professional. There is often confusion between an architect, an architectural designer and a draftsman, because the practice of architecture isn’t protected, but to call yourself an architect when you are not one is unlawful. The ARB register lists architects suitably qualified to practice under the title of architect; our architects have studied for a minimum of 7 years to gain this prestigious title and can provide their registration number so our clients can be confident that they are dealing with a genuine and qualified professional.

When discussing architecture through the ages, it is worth questioning what is defined as architecture. In this article we look at how architecture has developed through history, in both global terms and around Norfolk.

Prehistoric times

The term “pre-history” is now referred to as around 11,600 BCE to 3,500 BCE (Before Common Era). In modern day Turkey, there are numerous sites of mounds, stone circles and megalithic structures which some associate with pre-historic eras.

Each and every building project has different and unique challenges, and none more so than Grade listed and historic buildings. A listed building is a property that has been given legal protection due to special architectural or historical interest, and recognised by Historic England or a similar organisation. The rules, restrictions and challenges are different for external and internal work and any changes to a listed building should be handled by specialists proficient in dealing with the complexity of this type of project.

1. If you are demolishing part of, or extending, a listed building this could affect its character as a building of special interest. In these circumstances you need consent from the local planning authority and failure to obtain consent is a criminal offence.