Exeter HMO Investment Services
WHAT WE DO
Helping you secure the right HMO investment — with clarity and confidence
At A&K Property Solutions, we specialise in helping investors successfully purchase high-quality HMO properties in Exeter and the surrounding areas.
Whether you want full hand-holding from day one or simply want a professionally sourced HMO opportunity, we offer two clear services to suit different investor needs.
We are hands-on, experienced, and supported by a trusted professional power team of solicitors, mortgage brokers, planners, builders and managing agents.
Why Choose A&K Property Solutions
Specialists in Exeter HMO investments
Extensive local professional network
Transparent and realistic financial appraisals
Investor-led, results-driven approach
Proven experience in HMO acquisition and development
We only work with clients where we genuinely believe we can deliver meaningful investment value.
Ideal for investors who want full support from search to completion.
We will:
Understand your budget, yield targets and investment objectives
Identify suitable HMO investment opportunities that meet your criteria
Carry out deal analysis and advise on offer levels
Guide you through the full purchasing process including:
Offer submission
Conveyancing
Mortgage and finance coordination
Where refurbishment is required:
Introduce trusted and qualified builders
Assist through the refurbishment process
Ensure the property is fully furnished and tenant-ready
Introduce key professional contacts for:
Planning
Building control
Licensing
Letting and management
You remain in full control as the purchaser, while we guide and de-risk the process at every stage.
Service 1 – HMO Consulting
(Fully Guided Service)
Ideal for experienced investors who only require the deal sourcing and negotiation.
We will:
Source a suitable HMO property that meets your criteria
Identify opportunities to maximise rental income
Suggest improvements to enhance layout and profitability
Provide:
A full financial appraisal
A refurbishment cost estimate (to be verified by your own contractor)
Negotiate the purchase price with the selling agent
Secure the offer and then hand the deal over to you at offer agreed stage
Following this, you proceed independently with exchange and completion.
Service 2 – HMO Sourcing
(Oppurtunity-Led Service)
Article 4 Direction
What is an Article 4 Directive?
An Article 4 Directive is a planning control implemented by local councils aimed at managing the number of HMOs in a given area. The directive specifically affects properties classified as Class C3 (single person or single household dwellings) and Class C4 (houses shared by 3-6 unrelated individuals).
How Does It Affect HMO Property Investing?
Under the Article 4 Directive, converting a Class C3 property into a Class C4 HMO is no longer a permitted development right. Meaning in most cases, you need to go through a full planning permission application.
Exeter's Article 4 Directive
The Exeter Article 4 Directive first came into effect on December 31, 2011. Its primary purpose was to manage the spread and development of HMOs in specific areas of the city.
The introduction of this directive aimed to balance community needs with housing demands, ensuring that residential areas did not become overly concentrated with HMOs.
However, over the years, the growth of HMOs has substantially increased, stretching beyond the originally designated areas. Leading to Exeter City Council (from December 23rd, 2024) expanding the Article 4 directive area as shown by the green highlighted zone in the map.
For more details on Exeter City Council's Article 4, please CLICK HERE
Exeter HMO Minimum Room Sizes
From October 1, 2018, HMO licences include strict conditions on minimum room sizes to ensure adequate living space:
A room used by one person over 10 years must be at least 6.51 square meters.
A room used by two people over 10 years should be no smaller than 10.22 square meters.
Operating an HMO without a licence, or not adhering to licensing requirements, is a criminal offence. Mandatory licensing is essential for all HMOs housing FIVE or MORE people from two or more different households, regardless of the property's storeys. This includes some flats above shops if they house five or more people from multiple households.
For more details on Exeter City Council's HMO Licensing requirements, please CLICK HERE
Exeter HMO Licensing
