HMORefurbishment

England · South East

Commercial and above-shop to HMO across Hampshire

Turning offices, upper floors over shops and other buildings into shared homes. Covering all of Hampshire, with a free site visit and fixed written quote.

High street building with a shop below and upper floors being refurbished into shared accommodation
In short: 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. Across Hampshire, the work is planned around England’s HMO rules and the standards the local council publishes.
Nation
England
Pricing region
South East
Postcode areas
SO, RG, GU, SP
Main towns
Southampton, Portsmouth, Basingstoke, Gosport, Waterlooville

What does commercial and above-shop to HMO in Hampshire involve?

  • Sound insulation to floors and party walls
  • Fire separation between the commercial unit and the homes above
  • New electrics, heating and ventilation
  • New kitchens, bathrooms and ensuites
  • Windows and thermal upgrades
  • Coordination with planning and building control

Which rules apply in Hampshire?

  • 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.
  • 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 Hampshire?

Regional adjustment for South East. Planning budgets: see our prices page.
ItemUK typicalLocal guidePer
Conversion works per letting room (walls, linings, electrics, decoration; excludes kitchens, bathrooms and fire systems; our estimate)£3,500 – £6,500£3,900 – £7,300letting room
Panel alarm system (Grade A type), larger HMO£1,750 – £4,500£1,950 – £5,050house
Acoustic ceiling or floor upgrade, 12–15 m²£800 – £2,700£900 – £3,000room
Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges)£8,000 – £18,000£8,950 – £20,150kitchen
Ensuite shower room added to a bedroom£4,000 – £10,000£4,500 – £11,200ensuite

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 Hampshire

Questions about commercial and above-shop to HMO in Hampshire

Is building control needed?

Yes. Changing commercial space to residential use is a material change of use and needs building regulations approval.

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 Hampshire?

Yes, across the whole of Hampshire, including Southampton, Portsmouth, Basingstoke.

Who licenses HMOs in Hampshire?

HMOs in Hampshire 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 Hampshire

Planning HMO works?

Free site visit, then a fixed written quote itemised against your council’s standards.

CallGet a quote