Converting redundant commercial buildings—offices, pubs, retail units, or industrial spaces—into
residential accommodation represents a significant opportunity, particularly with permitted development
rights making many conversions easier than ever.
This comprehensive day covers the complete conversion journey from initial opportunity identification
through to profitable exit.
Project Assessment: Learn how to evaluate commercial buildings for residential conversion potential,
understand permitted development rules and when planning permission is required, calculate development
viability including purchase price, conversion costs, financing costs, and end values to determine if the
numbers stack up.
Build Process: Understand the specific challenges of converting commercial spaces, including building
regulation requirements, structural considerations, sound insulation, natural light requirements, and
specification standards that will appeal to your end market (renters or owner-occupiers).
Funding: Discover specialist development finance products for commercial conversions, how these differ
from standard development finance, what lenders require in terms of experience and security, and how to
structure deals to make them fundable.
Legal Considerations: Navigate change of use requirements, title issues specific to commercial properties,
ransom strips, restrictive covenants, and the legal process of establishing residential titles.
Exit Strategy: Explore whether to sell individually, as a block, refinance and hold as investments, or other
creative exit routes that maximize your returns.
