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. In Hove, a town of around 75,000 people in East Sussex, the work is planned around the HMO rules for England and the council’s written HMO standards.
- Area
- East Sussex, England
- Postcodes
- BN2 and BN3
- Location
- 1 miles west of Brighton
- Council
- Brighton & Hove City Council
- Pricing region
- South East
What does commercial and above-shop to HMO in Hove involve?
- New electrics, heating and ventilation
- Sound insulation to floors and party walls
- Fire separation between the commercial unit and the homes above
- Separate entrance and protected escape route
- Windows and thermal upgrades
Which rules apply in Hove?
The rules below are the England-wide position for this kind of work. Councils add their own standards and schemes on top, so we always check the address in Hove before we price.
- 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.
- Fire precautions follow a risk assessment; the LACORS Housing – Fire Safety guide (2008) is guidance, not law, but many councils base their standards on it.
Brighton & Hove City Council: local HMO schemes
| Article 4 (HMO) | In force across the council area City-wide C3-C4 Article 4 Direction confirmed Jan 2020 and in force June 2020 (replaced the 2013 five-ward direction). |
|---|---|
| Additional licensing | In force across the council area Additional licensing across all 23 wards 1 Jul 2024-30 Jun 2029. |
| Selective licensing | In force in part of the council area Kemptown, Moulsecoomb & Bevendean, Queen's Park, Whitehawk & Marina 2 Sep 2024-1 Sep 2029. Central Hove & Regency designation (made 6 Jul 2026, due 20 Oct 2026) is paused pending a legal challenge. |
Schemes change. Check the council’s current pages for the exact address in Hove before you buy or start work. Source: Brighton & Hove City Council HMO licensing page, checked 2026-10-31.
How much does commercial and above-shop to HMO cost in Hove?
| 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 |
Use these as a starting point for budgeting. Access, condition and the council’s requirements in Hove can move the figure either way, which is why we quote after seeing the house.
How long does it take?
Most jobs of this kind take 12–24 weeks. If a council deadline applies in Hove, tell us at the first call so the programme is built around it.
When do Hove landlords need it?
We usually get the call when:
- A small office building with planning for residential use
- A mixed-use building where the upper floors need bringing into use
Questions about commercial and above-shop to HMO in Hove
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.
How far do you travel from Hove?
We cover the whole of East Sussex and work UK-wide. For Hove the nearest towns on our list are Brighton (1 miles), Portslade (2 miles), Rottingdean (5 miles).
Which council covers HMOs in Hove?
Hove is covered by Brighton & Hove City Council. We read the council’s written HMO standards before pricing, and you should check the licence position for the exact address.
How much does commercial and above-shop to HMO cost in Hove?
Our guide ranges for South East 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 Hove
- Brighton · 1 mi
- Portslade · 2 mi
- Rottingdean · 5 mi
- Burgess Hill · 9 mi
- Worthing · 9 mi
- Haywards Heath · 12 mi
- All of East Sussex
Other HMO services in Hove
- Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Hove
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Hove
- Sound insulation in Hove
- EPC and energy upgrades in Hove
- Rewires and EICR remedials in Hove
- Layout changes and room reconfiguration in Hove
- Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Hove
- Shared bathroom and shower room refits in Hove