- Nation
- England
- Pricing region
- South East
- Postcode areas
- TN, BN, RH
- Main towns
- Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings, Hove, Bexhill-on-Sea
What does commercial and above-shop to HMO in East Sussex involve?
- Separate entrance and protected escape route
- Sound insulation to floors and party walls
- Fire separation between the commercial unit and the homes above
- Survey of structure, services and access
- New electrics, heating and ventilation
- Windows and thermal upgrades
Which rules apply in East Sussex?
- Mandatory HMO licence for 5 or more people in 2 or more households (since October 2018); councils can add additional licensing for smaller HMOs.
- 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.
- 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 East Sussex?
| 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 | £3,900 – £7,300 | letting room |
| Panel alarm system (Grade A type), larger HMO | £1,750 – £4,500 | £1,950 – £5,050 | house |
| Acoustic ceiling or floor upgrade, 12–15 m² | £800 – £2,700 | £900 – £3,000 | room |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £8,950 – £20,150 | kitchen |
| Ensuite shower room added to a bedroom | £4,000 – £10,000 | £4,500 – £11,200 | 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 East Sussex
Questions about commercial and above-shop to HMO in East Sussex
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.
What about the shop below?
The homes above must be separated from the commercial unit by fire-resisting construction, and the escape route must not pass through the shop. We design the separation as part of the building control application.
Do you carry out commercial and above-shop to HMO across East Sussex?
Yes, across the whole of East Sussex, including Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings.
Who licenses HMOs in East Sussex?
HMOs in East Sussex 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 East Sussex
- Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in East Sussex
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in East Sussex
- Sound insulation in East Sussex
- EPC and energy upgrades in East Sussex
- Rewires and EICR remedials in East Sussex
- Layout changes and room reconfiguration in East Sussex
- Fire doors in East Sussex
- Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in East Sussex