- Nation
- Northern Ireland
- Pricing region
- Northern Ireland
- Postcode areas
- BT
- Main towns
- Londonderry County Borough, Derry, Coleraine
What does commercial and above-shop to HMO in County Londonderry involve?
- New electrics, heating and ventilation
- Windows and thermal upgrades
- Survey of structure, services and access
- Fire separation between the commercial unit and the homes above
- New kitchens, bathrooms and ensuites
- Separate entrance and protected escape route
Which rules apply in County Londonderry?
- 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.
- The NIFRS HMO Fire Safety Guide (July 2026) usually expects Grade D1 interlinked detection in smaller shared houses and a Grade A system with more than 6 occupants or over 200 m².
- 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 Londonderry?
| 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 Londonderry
Questions about commercial and above-shop to HMO in County Londonderry
Is building control needed?
Yes. Changing commercial space to residential use is a material change of use and needs building regulations approval.
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.
Do you carry out commercial and above-shop to HMO across County Londonderry?
Yes, across the whole of County Londonderry, including Londonderry County Borough, Derry, Coleraine.
Who licenses HMOs in County Londonderry?
HMO licensing in County Londonderry, 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 Londonderry
- Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in County Londonderry
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in County Londonderry
- Sound insulation in County Londonderry
- EPC and energy upgrades in County Londonderry
- Rewires and EICR remedials in County Londonderry
- Layout changes and room reconfiguration in County Londonderry
- Communal kitchen refits in County Londonderry
- Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in County Londonderry