- Nation
- England
- Pricing region
- North West
- Postcode areas
- PR, BB, LA, FY
- Main towns
- Preston, Burnley, Blackburn, Blackpool, Fylde
What does commercial and above-shop to HMO in Lancashire involve?
- Windows and thermal upgrades
- Fire separation between the commercial unit and the homes above
- New electrics, heating and ventilation
- Sound insulation to floors and party walls
- Coordination with planning and building control
- New kitchens, bathrooms and ensuites
Which rules apply in Lancashire?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Lancashire?
| 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 | £3,350 – £6,250 | letting room |
| Panel alarm system (Grade A type), larger HMO | £1,750 – £4,500 | £1,700 – £4,300 | house |
| Acoustic ceiling or floor upgrade, 12–15 m² | £800 – £2,700 | £770 – £2,600 | room |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £7,700 – £17,300 | kitchen |
| Ensuite shower room added to a bedroom | £4,000 – £10,000 | £3,850 – £9,600 | ensuite |
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 Lancashire
- Preston
- Burnley
- Blackburn
- Blackpool
- Fylde
- Rossendale
- Morecambe
- Lancaster
- Lytham St Annes
- Skelmersdale
- Leyland
- Accrington
- Chorley
- Darwen
- Thornton-Cleveleys
- Nelson (Lancashire)
- Fleetwood
- Ormskirk
- Rawtenstall
- Colne
Questions about commercial and above-shop to HMO in Lancashire
Is building control needed?
Yes. Changing commercial space to residential use is a material change of use and needs building regulations approval.
Can offices be converted to an HMO without planning?
Some office-to-home changes have permitted development rights in England, but those rights generally create self-contained flats, and HMO use usually needs its own consent. We work from your planning position and flag anything that needs checking.
Do you carry out commercial and above-shop to HMO across Lancashire?
Yes, across the whole of Lancashire, including Preston, Burnley, Blackburn.
Who licenses HMOs in Lancashire?
HMOs in Lancashire 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 Lancashire
- Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Lancashire
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Lancashire
- Sound insulation in Lancashire
- EPC and energy upgrades in Lancashire
- Rewires and EICR remedials in Lancashire
- Layout changes and room reconfiguration in Lancashire
- Ensuite installation in Lancashire
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in Lancashire