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 Accrington, a town of about 35,000 people in Lancashire, the work is planned around the HMO rules for England and the council’s written HMO standards.
- Area
- Lancashire, England
- Postcodes
- BB5
- Location
- 14 miles east of Preston
- Pricing region
- North West
What does commercial and above-shop to HMO in Accrington involve?
- New kitchens, bathrooms and ensuites
- Fire separation between the commercial unit and the homes above
- Survey of structure, services and access
- Sound insulation to floors and party walls
- New electrics, heating and ventilation
Which rules apply in Accrington?
Commercial and above-shop to HMO in Accrington 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.
- 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.
How much does commercial and above-shop to HMO cost in Accrington?
| 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 |
Use these as a starting point for budgeting. Access, condition and the council’s requirements in Accrington can move the figure either way, which is why we quote after seeing the house.
How long does it take?
Allow 12–24 weeks on site for a typical job. Drawings, approvals and long-lead items such as kitchens or fire door sets are booked before we start.
When do Accrington landlords need it?
Landlords in Accrington 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 Accrington
Is building control needed?
Yes. Changing commercial space to residential use is a material change of use and needs building regulations approval.
How far do you travel from Accrington?
We cover the whole of Lancashire and work UK-wide. For Accrington the nearest towns on our list are Rawtenstall (5 miles), Blackburn (5 miles), Darwen (6 miles).
Does a shared house in Accrington 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 Accrington?
Our guide ranges for North West 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 Accrington
- Rawtenstall · 5 mi
- Blackburn · 5 mi
- Darwen · 6 mi
- Rossendale · 6 mi
- Burnley · 6 mi
- Nelson (Lancashire) · 8 mi
- All of Lancashire
Other HMO services in Accrington
- Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Accrington
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Accrington
- Sound insulation in Accrington
- EPC and energy upgrades in Accrington
- Rewires and EICR remedials in Accrington
- Layout changes and room reconfiguration in Accrington
- Student HMO refurbishment in Accrington
- Fire alarm and detection systems in Accrington