A commercial to HMO conversion turns space that was never a home, such as upper floors over shops or small office buildings, into shared accommodation. Newton Abbot is 14 miles south of Exeter. We price commercial and above-shop to HMO there against England’s HMO rules and the council’s written HMO standards, so work is planned to the standard an inspection looks for.
- Area
- Devon, England
- Postcodes
- TQ12
- Location
- 14 miles south of Exeter
- Pricing region
- South West
What does commercial and above-shop to HMO in Newton Abbot involve?
- Survey of structure, services and access
- Separate entrance and protected escape route
- Sound insulation to floors and party walls
- Fire separation between the commercial unit and the homes above
- New kitchens, bathrooms and ensuites
Which rules apply in Newton Abbot?
Commercial and above-shop to HMO in Newton Abbot must satisfy national law for England, the council’s written HMO standards and, where walls, drainage or fire separation change, the building rules. In short:
- Under the Renters’ Rights Act, civil penalties reach £40,000 for offences such as running an unlicensed HMO.
- 7 or more sharers is a sui generis large HMO and normally needs planning permission.
- Building regulations cover structural changes, new partitions, ensuite drainage, fire-resisting construction and notifiable electrical work.
- The Fire Safety Order 2005 applies to the common parts of HMOs, enforced by the fire and rescue authority.
How much does commercial and above-shop to HMO cost in Newton Abbot?
| 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 |
These are typical ranges including VAT, adjusted for South West, where costs run above the UK average. The fixed price for a house in Newton Abbot follows a site visit.
How long does it take?
Allow 12–24 weeks on site for a typical job. Drawings, approvals and long-lead items such as kitchens or fire door sets are booked before we start.
When do Newton Abbot landlords need it?
We usually get the call when:
- Empty upper floors above a shop you own
- A mixed-use building where the upper floors need bringing into use
Questions about commercial and above-shop to HMO in Newton Abbot
Is building control needed?
Yes. Changing commercial space to residential use is a material change of use and needs building regulations approval.
Which postcodes in Newton Abbot do you work in?
All of them, including TQ12, and the surrounding parts of Devon.
Does a shared house in Newton Abbot need an HMO licence?
In England, a mandatory licence is needed for 5 or more people from 2 or more households. Smaller HMOs can need a licence where the council runs additional licensing, which is common in towns with many shared houses. Check the council’s website for the address.
How much does commercial and above-shop to HMO cost in Newton Abbot?
Our guide ranges for South West are in the table on this page, and the guide-price tool gives a figure for your house. A fixed written quote follows a free site visit.
Commercial and above-shop to HMO near Newton Abbot
- Torquay · 6 mi
- Paignton · 7 mi
- Exmouth · 11 mi
- Exeter · 14 mi
- Heavitree · 14 mi
- Plymstock · 24 mi
- All of Devon
Other HMO services in Newton Abbot
- Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Newton Abbot
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Newton Abbot
- Sound insulation in Newton Abbot
- EPC and energy upgrades in Newton Abbot
- Rewires and EICR remedials in Newton Abbot
- Layout changes and room reconfiguration in Newton Abbot
- Professional and co-living HMO refurbs in Newton Abbot
- Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Newton Abbot