An HMO in Caversham
62 Prospect Street in Caversham is a terraced house that the owner wanted to convert into a six bedroom, six person house in multiple occupation. Reading controls HMO numbers closely, and a change of use of this size needs full planning permission.
The design
A single storey rear extension provides a larger shared kitchen and living space, which Reading expects for an HMO of this size. Bedrooms were laid out to meet the council's room size standards, with bathrooms distributed across the floors, and the plans show bin and cycle storage.
The evidence
The case was supported by an HMO concentration statement, with mapping of existing HMOs within 50 metres to show the threshold would not be exceeded, a noise statement, and a sustainability, energy and air quality statement. Reading Borough Council granted full permission in 2025 under reference PL/25/0501.
After approval
A later non material amendment refined the layout, which allowed small improvements to be made without a new application. The project appears on our single storey extensions page because of the rear extension that made the scheme work.
HMO standards in Reading
Reading's Residential Conversions SPD sets expectations for HMO bedroom sizes, shared kitchen and living space, and bathroom provision. We design every HMO to meet those standards from the outset, because shortfalls are a common reason for refusal.
Noise and air quality
Six occupants means more comings and goings than a single family. The noise statement explained the layout and sound insulation measures, and the sustainability statement covered energy and air quality.
Concentration mapping
Mapping existing HMOs within 50 metres is the core evidence for any HMO application in Reading's Article 4 areas.
Non material amendment
After approval, a non material amendment allowed the layout to be refined without a new planning application. Amendments like this are useful when detailed design or building regulations work suggests small changes.
Single storey rear extension
The rear extension creates a larger shared kitchen and living room, the space that makes a six person HMO work well for its occupiers.
Why it was approved
The application succeeded because the evidence answered each of the council's concerns before they were raised: the concentration threshold was shown not to be exceeded, room sizes met the standards, and noise and refuse were addressed in the drawings and statements.
