HMORefurbishment

England · South East

Commercial and above-shop to HMO across West Sussex

Turning offices, upper floors over shops and other buildings into shared homes. Covering all of West Sussex, 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. In West Sussex we survey first, price each item separately and hand over the certificates and photos a council asks for.
Nation
England
Pricing region
South East
Postcode areas
RH, PO, BN, GU
Main towns
Crawley, Worthing, Bognor Regis, Littlehampton, Horsham

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

  • Coordination with planning and building control
  • New kitchens, bathrooms and ensuites
  • Survey of structure, services and access
  • Windows and thermal upgrades
  • Sound insulation to floors and party walls
  • New electrics, heating and ventilation

Which rules apply in West Sussex?

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 West Sussex?

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 West Sussex

Questions about commercial and above-shop to HMO in West Sussex

Is building control needed?

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

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.

Do you carry out commercial and above-shop to HMO across West Sussex?

Yes, across the whole of West Sussex, including Crawley, Worthing, Bognor Regis.

Who licenses HMOs in West Sussex?

HMOs in West Sussex 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 West Sussex

Planning HMO works?

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

CallGet a quote