- Nation
- Northern Ireland
- Pricing region
- Northern Ireland
- Postcode areas
- BT
- Main towns
- Lisburn, Newtownabbey, Castlereagh, Carrickfergus, Ballymena
What does commercial and above-shop to HMO in County Antrim involve?
- Separate entrance and protected escape route
- Sound insulation to floors and party walls
- New kitchens, bathrooms and ensuites
- New electrics, heating and ventilation
- Fire separation between the commercial unit and the homes above
- Coordination with planning and building control
Which rules apply in County Antrim?
- A licence is needed where 3 or more people forming more than two households live as their main home and pay rent; the NI HMO Unit at Belfast City Council licenses for every council.
- All new HMOs need planning permission; councils such as Belfast apply HMO policy areas and limits on concentration.
- New HMOs need building control approval as well as planning permission.
- Doors on protected routes are typically FD30 or FD30S, self-closing on three hinges; emergency lighting is required in HMOs of 4 or more storeys.
- Building control requirements apply to new HMOs, including separating walls and floors where relevant.
In Northern Ireland, licensing is run centrally by the NI HMO Unit, and all new HMOs need planning permission and building control approval from the local council.
How much does commercial and above-shop to HMO cost in County Antrim?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conversion works per letting room (walls, linings, electrics, decoration; excludes kitchens, bathrooms and fire systems; our estimate) | £3,500 – £6,500 | £3,150 – £5,850 | letting room |
| Panel alarm system (Grade A type), larger HMO | £1,750 – £4,500 | £1,600 – £4,050 | house |
| Acoustic ceiling or floor upgrade, 12–15 m² | £800 – £2,700 | £720 – £2,450 | room |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £7,200 – £16,200 | kitchen |
| Ensuite shower room added to a bedroom | £4,000 – £10,000 | £3,600 – £9,000 | ensuite |
Typical time on site: 12–24 weeks. For a figure for your house, try the guide-price tool.
Commercial and above-shop to HMO by town in County Antrim
Questions about commercial and above-shop to HMO in County Antrim
Do you work on listed or conservation area buildings?
Yes, with the right consents in place. Older high street buildings often need extra care with windows, fire upgrades and sound insulation.
Is building control needed?
Yes. Changing commercial space to residential use is a material change of use and needs building regulations approval.
Do you carry out commercial and above-shop to HMO across County Antrim?
Yes, across the whole of County Antrim, including Lisburn, Newtownabbey, Castlereagh.
Who licenses HMOs in County Antrim?
HMO licensing in County Antrim, as everywhere in Northern Ireland, is run by the NI HMO Unit at Belfast City Council. Planning and building control are handled by the local council.
Other HMO services in County Antrim
- Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in County Antrim
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in County Antrim
- Sound insulation in County Antrim
- EPC and energy upgrades in County Antrim
- Rewires and EICR remedials in County Antrim
- Layout changes and room reconfiguration in County Antrim
- Communal kitchen refits in County Antrim
- Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in County Antrim