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 Portsmouth we start with a measured survey, check the council’s written HMO standards for the number of sharers, and then price each item separately. With students as well as working sharers renting in Portsmouth, we plan bigger jobs for the gap between academic-year tenancies where we can.
- Area
- Hampshire, England
- Postcodes
- PO1, PO4 and PO5
- Location
- 15 miles south-east of Southampton
- Council
- Portsmouth City Council
- Pricing region
- South East
What does commercial and above-shop to HMO in Portsmouth involve?
- Survey of structure, services and access
- Separate entrance and protected escape route
- New electrics, heating and ventilation
- Windows and thermal upgrades
- Sound insulation to floors and party walls
Which rules apply in Portsmouth?
Commercial and above-shop to HMO in Portsmouth 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.
- 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.
Portsmouth City Council: local HMO schemes
| Article 4 (HMO) | In force across the council area Covers the whole city; in force since November 2011. |
|---|---|
| Additional licensing | In force across the council area City-wide additional HMO licensing 1 Sep 2023-31 Aug 2028. |
| Selective licensing | No scheme found |
Schemes change. Check the council’s current pages for the exact address in Portsmouth before you buy or start work. Source: Portsmouth City Council HMO licensing page, checked 2026-10-31.
How much does commercial and above-shop to HMO cost in Portsmouth?
| 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 |
Prices in Portsmouth are shown with our regional adjustment for South East (above the UK average). Your quote is itemised and fixed in writing once the scope and specification are agreed.
How long does it take?
Typical time on site: 12–24 weeks. We agree the programme with you before starting and send photo updates as the work progresses.
If the house is let to students, we work backwards from the next tenancy start date in Portsmouth.
When do Portsmouth landlords need it?
Typical reasons for this work in Portsmouth:
- 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 Portsmouth
Do you work on listed or conservation area buildings?
Yes, with the right consents in place. Older high street buildings often need extra care with windows, fire upgrades and sound insulation.
How far do you travel from Portsmouth?
We cover the whole of Hampshire and work UK-wide. For Portsmouth the nearest towns on our list are Gosport (2 miles), Fareham (5 miles), Ryde (6 miles).
Which council covers HMOs in Portsmouth?
Portsmouth is covered by Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth?
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 Portsmouth
- Gosport · 2 mi
- Fareham · 5 mi
- Ryde · 6 mi
- Havant · 6 mi
- Waterlooville · 6 mi
- Cowes · 9 mi
- All of Hampshire
Other HMO services in Portsmouth
- Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Portsmouth
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Portsmouth
- Sound insulation in Portsmouth
- EPC and energy upgrades in Portsmouth
- Rewires and EICR remedials in Portsmouth
- Layout changes and room reconfiguration in Portsmouth
- Fire doors in Portsmouth
- Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Portsmouth