How are co-living spaces financed under HMO mortgage criteria?

Financing a co-living property requires specialist consideration beyond standard Buy-to-Let (BTL) financing. Because co-living spaces typically involve multiple, unrelated occupants sharing facilities, they generally fall under the regulatory umbrella of a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). Consequently, securing funding requires navigating specific HMO mortgage criteria, which are designed to account for higher regulatory burdens, increased management complexity, and specialist property valuation methods.

Understanding How Are Co-Living Spaces Financed Under HMO Mortgage Criteria?

Co-living, a modern housing concept that emphasises shared amenities, community, and private bedrooms, has grown rapidly in the UK. While marketed differently from traditional HMOs, functionally and legally, they often operate within the same regulatory framework. This convergence dictates that the financing strategy must align with established HMO lending criteria.

The Difference Between Standard BTL and Specialist HMO Financing

A standard Buy-to-Let (BTL) mortgage is designed for properties rented out to a single family unit or perhaps two individuals. HMO financing is fundamentally different because it recognises the unique risks associated with letting to multiple individual tenants under separate agreements (often referred to as ‘room rents’).

Lenders perceive HMOs, and therefore co-living spaces, as carrying a higher operational risk and management intensity. This means:

• Higher Interest Rates: HMO mortgages typically carry slightly higher rates than standard BTL products.
• Larger Deposits: Minimum deposit requirements are often 25% to 30%.
• Experienced Borrowers: Many specialist lenders require evidence that the investor has prior experience managing rental properties, ideally other HMOs.
• Specialist Valuation: The method used to value the property differs significantly.

Key Criteria Specialist Lenders Apply to Co-Living Financing

When seeking to finance a co-living investment, lenders focus on several key areas to ensure the viability and security of the loan. Understanding these criteria is essential for securing the necessary funds.

1. Valuation Methodology

Valuation is arguably the most critical distinction. When considering how are co-living spaces financed under hmo mortgage criteria, lenders must decide whether to value the property based on its rental yield or its ‘bricks and mortar’ resale value.

• Investment Value (Yield): The valuation may be based on the gross rental income the property generates. This is especially true for large, purpose-built co-living complexes where the highest value comes from the ongoing business operation.
• Bricks and Mortar (Break-Up Value): Many lenders, especially those dealing with smaller HMOs (under six rooms), will insist on a valuation based on what the property would sell for as a single residential home if the HMO usage ceased. This provides the lender with a safety net if they need to repossess and sell the property.

The lender’s preference for valuation method often dictates which mortgage products are available to the borrower.

2. Rental Income Coverage Ratio (ICR)

The ICR is the calculation used to determine if the expected rental income adequately covers the mortgage repayments and associated costs. For co-living HMOs, ICR requirements are generally stricter than for standard BTLs due to the perceived higher administrative costs and potential for void periods (empty rooms).

• Lenders typically require the achieved monthly rent (or projected room rent) to cover the theoretical mortgage interest payments by 140% to 175%, calculated using a high ‘stress test’ interest rate (e.g., 5.5% to 6%).
• Some specialist lenders will consider the proven net operating income (NOI) if the co-living space includes ancillary services (like cleaning or utilities), though this requires robust financial documentation.

3. Regulatory and Licensing Compliance

Before a lender approves funding, the property must satisfy all legal criteria for operation as an HMO. In England, a Mandatory HMO Licence is required if the property is rented to five or more people forming two or more separate households. Smaller HMOs are regulated via additional or selective licensing schemes operated by local authorities.

Lenders will require proof that the property either holds the necessary licence or is demonstrably capable of meeting the stringent safety and amenity standards required for licensing, including fire safety, room sizes, and bathroom provisions. Failure to secure licensing can jeopardise the entire investment.

You can verify current licensing rules and minimum property standards through the official government guidelines. Visit GOV.UK for detailed HMO licensing requirements.

Challenges and Lender Concerns in Co-Living

Even when a co-living property meets standard HMO criteria, lenders may raise specific concerns related to the intensity of use associated with communal living models:

• Over-Supply Risk: In certain city centre locations, the market might become saturated with co-living or student-style HMOs, potentially leading to increased void periods.
• Management Expertise: Due to the communal nature and often all-inclusive bills structure, co-living requires professional, proactive management. Lenders need assurance that the borrower or their chosen agent is capable of handling the operational demands.
• Exit Strategy: If the co-living concept proves unsuccessful, how easily could the property be converted back to a standard residential home or sold? If the modifications are irreversible or extremely costly to undo, the valuation may be negatively impacted.

To mitigate these concerns, applicants seeking funding for how are co-living spaces financed under hmo mortgage criteria should present a robust, detailed business plan outlining projected occupancy, management structure, and maintenance budgets.

People also asked

What is the typical deposit required for a co-living HMO mortgage?

The typical minimum deposit for an HMO mortgage, including those financing co-living spaces, usually starts at 25% of the property value, although some specialist products may require up to 30% depending on the complexity of the property and the borrower’s experience.

Can I use a standard Buy-to-Let mortgage for a four-bedroom co-living property?

No, typically you cannot. Even if the property doesn’t require a mandatory licence, if it is let to four separate individuals forming three or more households under separate tenancy agreements, lenders generally classify it as a specialist HMO and require a specific HMO mortgage product.

How does the size of the co-living space affect financing options?

Larger co-living spaces, particularly those with 7 or more bedrooms (or above 200 sqm), often fall into the ‘Large HMO’ or ‘Commercial Property’ category. This necessitates more specialised commercial mortgages rather than standard HMO buy-to-let products, requiring enhanced scrutiny of the borrower’s commercial experience.

Do lenders require the HMO licence to be in place before releasing funds?

For established HMOs, the lender will usually require the licence to be in place before completion. If the property is being purchased and converted, the lender will often release funds based on the condition that the necessary work is carried out and the licence application is submitted immediately following completion, often using an agreement or undertaking to manage the risk.

Is co-living considered commercial property or residential for tax purposes?

For mortgage purposes, co-living is treated as residential investment property, specifically an HMO. However, depending on the scale and the extent of ancillary services provided, the operation may be classified as a commercial business for capital gains tax or business rates purposes, which is why specialised financial advice is crucial.

Conclusion

Financing co-living properties requires a clear understanding of the regulatory crossover between modern communal living and traditional HMO compliance. Standard BTL finance is almost always unsuitable. Successful funding for co-living depends on securing a specialist HMO mortgage, proving the property’s compliance status, presenting a strong track record of management, and satisfying the lender’s valuation requirements, ensuring the exit strategy is robust, whether through refinance or sale.