Yes, if you are a landlord and have hired property managers to look after your residential flats or homes, they can indeed help you with adding loft conversions including:
- Consulting on the property
- Planning permission
- Feasibility
- Communication with the builders and tenants
Landlords may not be able to be in all places at once and if they have multiple properties, the role of a property manager could be crucial to ensure a loft conversion runs smoothly.
Whilst the role of a property manager is typically to do with managing the tenants, their rent and the amenities of the building, the work scope can also extend to helping with loft conversions.
A good property management firm could find the right loft conversion provider, architect and assist with a lot of other key things such as the planning permission, liaising with tenants if they need to move out and even recommending whether it is a good idea or not.
A property manager will typically oversee maintenance issues and things relating to rent, but they can certainly work with a loft conversion company and their tenants to ensure a smooth project.
What Happens Before a Loft Conversion?
Before a loft conversion, one typically has to draw up plans and agree what is going to be placed in the loft, whether it is a bedroom, office room, en suites or more. The plans are draw up professionally by the loft conversion company or an architect and then submitted for planning permission with the local council which can take 8 to 16 weeks depending on the council and complexity of the conversion.
Everything including the plans and the application to the council can be overseen by a property manager, depending on their experience.
The manager can also assist if your planning permission application is rejected and you need to re-apply.
Tenants will need to be spoken to because it could impact various things in terms of noise, having accessibility into the building and also costs – since tenants may have access to more space in the house and this could be reflected in the price. A property manager can ably communicate this and any updates with their tenants.
What Happens During a Loft Conversion?
A property manager can be responsible for overseeing the work of the loft conversion provider, whilst opening the premises for them, liaising with tenants over timings and avoiding any crossover or mishaps with the tenants too.
The presence of a property manager can assist the landlord, making sure that the loft provider meets their timing deadline and it does not over-run.
What Happens After a Loft Conversion?
Once the shiny new loft conversion is complete and has the Velux windows to match, the property manager can assist with payments to the loft company, speaking with tenants over moving dates, cleaners of the premises and also any retrospective planning permission that might be necessary.
