- Nation
- England
- Pricing region
- South West
- Postcode areas
- EX, TQ, PL, DT
- Main towns
- Plymouth, Exeter, Paignton, Torquay, Newton Abbot
What does commercial and above-shop to HMO in Devon involve?
- Separate entrance and protected escape route
- Windows and thermal upgrades
- Fire separation between the commercial unit and the homes above
- Coordination with planning and building control
- New electrics, heating and ventilation
- Sound insulation to floors and party walls
Which rules apply in Devon?
- Mandatory HMO licence for 5 or more people in 2 or more households (since October 2018); councils can add additional licensing for smaller HMOs.
- 3–6 unrelated sharers is use class C4; changing from a family house is usually permitted development unless an Article 4 direction applies.
- A conversion can be a material change of use under the building regulations, so confirm with building control before work starts.
- Smoke alarms on every storey with living accommodation and CO alarms by fixed combustion appliances (other than gas cookers) are required by law.
- Where the building regulations apply to a conversion, Part E sound requirements can apply between rooms and floors.
Councils in England can add additional licensing and Article 4 directions on top of the national rules. Check the council’s website for the exact address before you buy or start work.
How much does commercial and above-shop to HMO cost in Devon?
| 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 | £3,650 – £6,750 | letting room |
| Panel alarm system (Grade A type), larger HMO | £1,750 – £4,500 | £1,800 – £4,700 | house |
| Acoustic ceiling or floor upgrade, 12–15 m² | £800 – £2,700 | £830 – £2,800 | room |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £8,300 – £18,700 | kitchen |
| Ensuite shower room added to a bedroom | £4,000 – £10,000 | £4,150 – £10,400 | 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 Devon
Questions about commercial and above-shop to HMO in Devon
Can offices be converted to an HMO without planning?
Some office-to-home changes have permitted development rights in England, but those rights generally create self-contained flats, and HMO use usually needs its own consent. We work from your planning position and flag anything that needs checking.
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 Devon?
Yes, across the whole of Devon, including Plymouth, Exeter, Paignton.
Who licenses HMOs in Devon?
HMOs in Devon are licensed by the local council for the address. Where an area has several councils, each runs its own licensing and planning policies.
Other HMO services in Devon
- Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Devon
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Devon
- Sound insulation in Devon
- EPC and energy upgrades in Devon
- Rewires and EICR remedials in Devon
- Layout changes and room reconfiguration in Devon
- Extensions for extra rooms in Devon
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in Devon