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. Landlords in Catford (SE6 and SE23) usually come to us with a council letter, a fire risk assessment or a house they have just bought. We price from whichever you have.
- Area
- Greater London, England
- Postcodes
- SE6 and SE23
- Location
- 6 miles south-east of London
- Council
- London Borough of Lewisham
- Pricing region
- London
What does commercial and above-shop to HMO in Catford involve?
- New kitchens, bathrooms and ensuites
- Windows and thermal upgrades
- Separate entrance and protected escape route
- Survey of structure, services and access
- Coordination with planning and building control
Which rules apply in Catford?
Commercial and above-shop to HMO in Catford 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.
- 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.
- The Fire Safety Order 2005 applies to the common parts of HMOs, enforced by the fire and rescue authority.
London Borough of Lewisham: local HMO schemes
| Article 4 (HMO) | In force across the council area Direction for southern wards from 2020, extended to the rest of the borough from 2024. |
|---|---|
| Additional licensing | In force across the council area Borough-wide additional licensing 5 Apr 2022-4 Apr 2027. |
| Selective licensing | In force in part of the council area Selective licensing in 18 of 19 wards (excludes Telegraph Hill and parts of Blackheath) from 1 Jul 2024 to 30 Jun 2029. |
Schemes change. Check the council’s current pages for the exact address in Catford before you buy or start work. Source: London Borough of Lewisham HMO licensing page, checked 2026-10-31.
How much does commercial and above-shop to HMO cost in Catford?
| 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 | £4,500 – £8,300 | letting room |
| Panel alarm system (Grade A type), larger HMO | £1,750 – £4,500 | £2,250 – £5,750 | house |
| Acoustic ceiling or floor upgrade, 12–15 m² | £800 – £2,700 | £1,000 – £3,450 | room |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £10,250 – £23,050 | kitchen |
| Ensuite shower room added to a bedroom | £4,000 – £10,000 | £5,100 – £12,800 | ensuite |
These are typical ranges including VAT, adjusted for London, where costs run above the UK average. The fixed price for a house in Catford 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 Catford landlords need it?
We usually get the call when:
- A mixed-use building where the upper floors need bringing into use
- Empty upper floors above a shop you own
Questions about commercial and above-shop to HMO in Catford
Is building control needed?
Yes. Changing commercial space to residential use is a material change of use and needs building regulations approval.
Do you cover all of Catford?
Yes. We work across Catford and the SE6 and SE23 postcode areas, plus the rest of Greater London. Nearby places we also cover include Blackheath, Greenwich, Beckenham.
Which council covers HMOs in Catford?
Catford is covered by London Borough of Lewisham. 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 Catford?
Our guide ranges for London 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 Catford
- Blackheath · 2 mi
- Greenwich · 2 mi
- Beckenham · 3 mi
- Peckham · 3 mi
- Eltham · 3 mi
- Brixton · 4 mi
- All of Greater London
Other HMO services in Catford
- Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Catford
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Catford
- Sound insulation in Catford
- EPC and energy upgrades in Catford
- Rewires and EICR remedials in Catford
- Layout changes and room reconfiguration in Catford
- Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Catford
- Shared bathroom and shower room refits in Catford