Passive Property invests £152,000 in a high-end HMO at 61 King Street, Wrexham, aiming to fight negative perceptions.
Last month, a council member voiced concerns about the project. Marc Jones worried about too many people and felt ten tenants in one property would be too many. He questioned the lack of communal space, citing concerns about bin space, parking, and clothes drying.
The council approved the application despite concerns. Work on the HMO is almost done. Lee Chaloner runs Passive Property, the company doing the work on the building. He wants to change people’s views about HMOs.
Passive Property runs ten HMOs plus an Airbnb in North Wales. They invested £152,000 in 61 King Street. The renovation includes damp removal and improved insulation. They seek to create a high-end HMO.
Lee understands why some people worry and says his company’s approach differs. He feels HMOs often have a bad reputation. He knew increasing capacity would cause concern, but the reality, however, is very different.
Lee says they created a high-standard living space. He doubts the reaction would be the same for studios. He thinks the label “HMO” creates negativity. Lee used to be an Army electrician. He has worked with HMOs for five years.
Lee opened 61 King Street to show the living space. He expects negative reactions during the project, as people worry who will live there and the impact. One person called it a “dosshouse,” a common misunderstanding.
Many HMOs started as regular houses, adapted over time by landlords. Specific planning was not always needed, creating problems in the sector. Lee wants people to judge his HMO differently, as most tenants are professionals.
Many work in the area on contracts, with some in the NHS or at HMP Berwyn. They stay long-term but not permanently. Students and people in family break-ups also stay there. HMOs offer affordable housing close to family.
Young adults also choose HMOs as a way to leave home affordably to save money for a deposit. The ground floor will stay commercial, with a kitchenette and bathroom still, aligning with other businesses on the street.
The residential area has a communal kitchen where tenants can store and cook food. Socializing is also possible in the kitchen. It has a dishwasher, washer, and dryer. Local artists’ work decorates the first floor, where the first three rooms are also located.
UK rules say a single room must be 6.5 square meters, and a couple’s room needs 10.5 square meters. Rooms at 61 King Street are 10.5 to 17.5 square meters. All rooms but two have bathrooms; a shared bathroom exists for those rooms without one.
There are three large bedrooms per floor. Sprinkler systems and ventilation are installed new. Secondary double glazing insulates well and keeps noise out of the building.
Lee admits there’s no outside area, which concerned the council member. He points out that flats also lack outside areas. People can use parks and other public spaces. Wrexham tradespeople did all the work.
A designer from Cheshire handled the interiors. Lee aims to use local workers in projects. He wants to create quality living spaces and does not aim to cram people in.
HMOs play a role in the housing crisis. Done right, they offer affordable city living. Alec Doyle, a BBC reporter, wrote this article.