A homeowner has issued a stark warning after he says his life was “destroyed completely” by having an HMO next door.

Andrew Elliott, from Rock Road in Sittingbourne, was stunned to wake up and find scaffolding and the roof missing on the adjoining property in the terraced street.

“We knew it had been sold,” the 59-year-old said. “The owners had knocked to say they were making cosmetic changes and putting central heating in to rent it out.

“We weren’t that concerned until scaffolding went up at the front. Even then we just thought they were painting the outside or changing some of the tiles.

“But then two days later the whole roof came off. It was a shock – we couldn’t believe it.”

It turns out the property is set to become a six-bedroom house of multiple occupation (HMO).

And Andrew fears the current infrastructure, such as parking spaces and drainage, will not be able to cope with the influx of new residents.

He is also worried the HMO will impact the value of other homes in the area.

Melissa Beeney also lives along the road and after speaking to the owners, she got the impression they would be moving into the house.

The 50-year-old said: “When Andrew and his wife Jackie told us what was happening we were gobsmacked.

“Most houses now have more than one car because you've got kids living there still. In the evening the road is just chock-a-block, you won’t find a space.”

The developer told KentOnline the majority of tenants relied on public transport and typically “only one or two” owned a car, which was the same as a “regular family household”.

Andrew added: “It's being made out to be a high-end development. This is Sittingbourne, it's not a university town.

“This road is full of families and retired people, it always has been.

“We've been here 23 years. It's just not the right location for it. I can't think why the council would deem it suitable.”

At present, under government legislation, HMO conversions of six or fewer bedrooms do not need planning approval.

However, a licence still has to be secured from the council. For larger proposals, planning permission is needed in addition to a licence.

Read more: We spoke to two developers on a mission to improve perceptions of HMOs.

The new owners were granted a Lawful Development Certificate (LCD) on Monday, March 31 and work started two days later.

A spokesman for Swale council said: “The recent application at 98 Rock Road was for a lawful development certificate (LAWPRO), rather than planning permission.

“This means the council needed to determine if the development could lawfully occur without needing further planning permission.

“To aid this assessment, we follow national ‘Permitted Development’ legislation which effectively provides automatic planning permission for certain developments, including the conversion of dwellings into a HMO.

“The applicant, as outlined by this legislation and confirmed in the assessment of the application, could have lawfully completed the development without any form of confirmation from the council.”

The original house was made up of three bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom and a living area.

The loft space was unused but is set to be converted into another floor by adding an L-shaped dormer over the roof.

Rooflights are to be added and internal chimneys no longer in use will be removed.

Melissa claims workers have been on-site for 12 hours a day, including during the Easter bank holiday.

She also says there has been debris dropping from the roof into her garden.

Andrew is frustrated the property can be converted without a consultation or notifying residents.

“It’s destroyed our lives completely,” the dad-of-two said. “We have constant run-ins with the builders next door. I’m worried about structural damage to my home.

“There is no netting on the scaffolding and they [workers] were chucking roof tiles from a height into the back garden.”

He added: “I've approached every authority possible but no one wants to know. We went to Citizens Advice and they asked us if we’d thought about moving.

“I've spoken to a lot of people about it and if it wasn't happening to me, I wouldn't believe it was true. It's just bizarre.

“I want to make people aware that if a property goes for sale next to you, this is what could happen – and you wouldn't be able to do anything about it.”

Owner and developer Kushal Mane runs Gharkul Properties with his partner Parinita.

He said: “We are experienced landlords who specialise in transforming tired and rundown properties into high-quality, luxury rental accommodations.

“Our homes are typically let to working professionals such as teachers, doctors, scientists and other key workers.

“All our conversions are carried out with strict adherence to fire safety and soundproofing regulations.

“Our project has received approval from the local council, who would have thoroughly assessed the infrastructure and community impact before granting permission.

“Furthermore, the construction is being monitored by building control, ensuring all work – including the loft conversion, plumbing, drainage and internal electrics – meets UK building standards.

“While we understand the concerns of neighbours, we genuinely believe that by upgrading and enhancing the property to a high standard, we are adding value to the entire street.”