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 Fareham, a town of around 40,000 people in Hampshire, the work is planned around the HMO rules for England and the council’s written HMO standards.
- Area
- Hampshire, England
- Postcodes
- PO13 and PO16
- Location
- 10 miles east of Southampton
- Pricing region
- South East
What does commercial and above-shop to HMO in Fareham involve?
- New electrics, heating and ventilation
- Survey of structure, services and access
- Separate entrance and protected escape route
- New kitchens, bathrooms and ensuites
- Coordination with planning and building control
Which rules apply in Fareham?
Commercial and above-shop to HMO in Fareham 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.
- 3–6 unrelated sharers is use class C4; changing from a family house is usually permitted development unless an Article 4 direction applies.
- 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.
How much does commercial and above-shop to HMO cost in Fareham?
| 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 Fareham 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 Fareham, tell us at the first call so the programme is built around it.
When do Fareham landlords need it?
We usually get the call 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 Fareham
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 Fareham?
Yes. We work across Fareham and the PO13 and PO16 postcode areas, plus the rest of Hampshire. Nearby places we also cover include Gosport, Portsmouth, Waterlooville.
Does a shared house in Fareham 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 Fareham?
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 Fareham
- Gosport · 4 mi
- Portsmouth · 5 mi
- Waterlooville · 7 mi
- Cowes · 8 mi
- Ryde · 8 mi
- Havant · 8 mi
- All of Hampshire
Other HMO services in Fareham
- Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Fareham
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Fareham
- Sound insulation in Fareham
- EPC and energy upgrades in Fareham
- Rewires and EICR remedials in Fareham
- Layout changes and room reconfiguration in Fareham
- Fire doors in Fareham
- Licence condition and schedule-of-works in Fareham