Refurbishment and Renovation in Camden and Kentish Town: A Practical Guide
Camden and Kentish Town have some of the most characterful housing in north London, and plenty of it needs updating. Whether you own a terrace, a flat in a converted house or a rental property, this guide explains what to think about before a full refurbishment, how planning and building control tend to work in Camden, and how we approach the job.
What you are renovating
Across this part of London you will find Georgian and Victorian terraces, Edwardian houses, mansion blocks, converted houses divided into flats, and later council or private developments. Generalisations are risky, but older homes often share these issues:
Solid brick walls without cavities, which affects insulation and damp.
Original timber floors and joists that may need repair or strengthening.
Old wiring, plumbing and heating that no longer meet current standards.
Layouts that were designed for a different way of living.
A survey before you commit tells you what is hiding behind the plaster, and it avoids unwelcome surprises in the middle of the programme.
Planning, listed buildings and conservation areas
Internal refurbishment generally does not need planning permission, but external changes might, and many buildings in Camden are in conservation areas or are listed. Check whether your street or building is in a conservation area, and whether it is listed, before planning any work. Listed building consent is needed for many alterations to listed buildings, including some internal ones, and carrying out unauthorised work can be a criminal offence.
If you live in a flat, your lease may require landlord consent for structural work, and you may need to follow rules about noise, working hours and flooring. Camden Council is the local planning authority, and its website sets out how to apply and what it expects.
Building Regulations still apply to many internal works, including structural changes, electrical work, new bathrooms and drainage, and changes affecting fire safety or energy performance.
What a full refurbishment usually includes
A typical scope might cover:
Strip-out and making good.
Structural alterations, such as removing a wall or adding steels.
First fix: electrics, plumbing, heating and drainage.
Insulation, plastering and joinery.
Kitchens and bathrooms.
Decoration and flooring.
Getting the order right is half the battle, and it is where an experienced contractor earns their keep. At TNK Construction we handle refurbishments as a managed process with a clear programme, not a series of unconnected trades.
Phasing matters in a house that stays occupied. For example, we would typically complete structural and services work in one zone before moving to the next, so you always have a working bathroom and somewhere to cook. If you are letting or selling afterwards, keep a tidy record of certificates, building control sign-off and guarantees, because buyers' solicitors and letting agents will ask for them.
Upgrading without spoiling the character
Older homes can be made warmer and more efficient without losing what makes them special. Options include secondary glazing in sensitive windows, careful draught-proofing, insulating roof spaces and choosing breathable materials for solid walls. The right approach depends on the building, and in a conservation area or listed building the council may have views, so check before you order anything.
Landlords and investors
If you let property in Camden, a refurbishment between tenancies is an opportunity to improve safety and efficiency. Landlords have legal obligations, including electrical and gas safety and energy performance requirements, and local licensing schemes may apply to some lets. Check current requirements with the council, because they change.
Living in or moving out
For major works, moving out is often cheaper and faster than living around the builders. If you stay, agree access, dust protection and a temporary kitchen from the beginning.
Think carefully, too, about what you want the home to be in ten years. A refurbishment is the cheapest moment to add wiring for future needs, put in pipework for an additional bathroom, run data cabling and improve sound insulation between floors. Doing it while walls and floors are open costs far less than retrofitting later. Ask us about options as we plan the scope, and we will explain what is worth doing now and what can wait.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need planning permission to refurbish a flat in Camden?
Internal works usually do not need planning permission, but you may need Building Regulations approval, landlord consent under your lease and, for listed buildings, listed building consent. Check with the council.
How long does a full refurbishment take?
It depends on size and scope. Planning, design and ordering lead items take time, so start early. We can give a realistic programme after seeing the property.
Can you manage the whole project?
Yes. We offer design, planning, construction and finishing, with CITB-accredited builders and joiners.
Talk to us
If you are planning a refurbishment in Camden or Kentish Town, contact TNK Construction for a consultation, or use our cost calculator for an initial idea of budget. If you want to add space as part of the work, see our house extensions and loft conversions pages.
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