01 · Challenge
Utrecht has strict rules for property splitting
The owner of a large four-storey townhouse in Utrecht city centre wanted to split the property into three self-contained rental units of approximately 70 m² each. Utrecht applies its Property Splitting and Conversion Policy, with minimum floor areas per unit, outdoor space requirements and a parking assessment. Furthermore, the property is located in Utrecht city centre, making an aesthetic review mandatory for the external staircase required as an additional escape route for the upper two units. Utrecht's policy has become stricter in recent years, making it important to fully substantiate the application.
02 · Our approach
Three spacious units with logical private entrances
We designed three units each exceeding Utrecht's minimum floor area of 50 m². The ground floor receives its own front door and rear garden, the first floor an entrance through the stairwell and a French balcony, and the second floor its own entrance via a new internal staircase and a roof terrace. For the external staircase we submitted an aesthetic review with a design fitting Utrecht's streetscape. The parking assessment was passed through a mobility overview of the nearby cycle storage and public transport connections.
03 · Result
Three permitted homes, aesthetic review approved
The building permit including aesthetic approval for the external staircase was granted within 9 weeks. The three apartments range from 68 to 82 m² and are all now let. The homeowners association was established with the property splitting documentation we provided. Thanks to the fully elaborated compartmentation drawings and smoke detector plan, the contractor could start immediately after the permit was granted without additional consultation.