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. For a house in Greenwich we start with a measured survey, check the council’s written HMO standards for the number of sharers, and then price each item separately. Greenwich has a university population, so many shared houses are let to students on yearly tenancies, and summer is the main window for works.
- Area
- Greater London, England
- Postcodes
- SE8, SE10 and SE14
- Location
- 5 miles south-east of London
- Pricing region
- London
What does commercial and above-shop to HMO in Greenwich involve?
- Sound insulation to floors and party walls
- Fire separation between the commercial unit and the homes above
- Survey of structure, services and access
- Separate entrance and protected escape route
- Windows and thermal upgrades
Which rules apply in Greenwich?
Commercial and above-shop to HMO in Greenwich 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:
- 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.
- A conversion can be a material change of use under the building regulations, so confirm with building control before work starts.
- 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.
How much does commercial and above-shop to HMO cost in Greenwich?
| 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 |
Prices in Greenwich are shown with our regional adjustment for London (above the UK average). Your quote is itemised and fixed in writing once the scope and specification are agreed.
How long does it take?
Most jobs of this kind take 12–24 weeks. If a council deadline applies in Greenwich, tell us at the first call so the programme is built around it.
For student houses in Greenwich, booking by spring is the safest way to make the summer gap.
When do Greenwich landlords need it?
Landlords in Greenwich most often ask us for this when:
- A mixed-use building where the upper floors need bringing into use
- A small office building with planning for residential use
Questions about commercial and above-shop to HMO in Greenwich
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 Greenwich do you work in?
All of them, including SE8, SE10 and SE14, and the surrounding parts of Greater London.
Does a shared house in Greenwich 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 Greenwich?
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 Greenwich
- Blackheath · 1 mi
- Canary Wharf · 2 mi
- Catford · 2 mi
- Peckham · 3 mi
- Canning Town · 3 mi
- Eltham · 3 mi
- All of Greater London
Other HMO services in Greenwich
- Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Greenwich
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Greenwich
- Sound insulation in Greenwich
- EPC and energy upgrades in Greenwich
- Rewires and EICR remedials in Greenwich
- Layout changes and room reconfiguration in Greenwich
- Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Greenwich
- Extensions for extra rooms in Greenwich