An HMO extension adds space to a shared house, usually a ground-floor bedroom with ensuite or a bigger communal kitchen. In Durham, a town of around 50,000 people, the work is planned around the HMO rules for England and the council’s written HMO standards. Durham has a university population, so many shared houses are let to students on yearly tenancies, and summer is the main window for works.
- Area
- County Durham, England
- Postcodes
- DH1
- Location
- 14 miles south of Newcastle upon Tyne
- Council
- Durham County Council
- Pricing region
- North East
What do extensions for extra rooms in Durham involve?
- Fire separation and detection extended to the new space
- Ensuite drainage and extraction
- Heating, insulation and glazing
- Foundations, structure and roof
- Building control completion
Which rules apply in Durham?
Here is what usually applies to a Durham job of this kind. It is general information rather than legal advice, and the council’s written HMO standards have the final detail.
- 7 or more sharers is a sui generis large HMO and normally needs planning permission.
- 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.
- Council standards often step up at 5 and 6 sharers, for example a separate WC at 5 and a second bathroom from 6.
Durham County Council: local HMO schemes
| Article 4 (HMO) | In force in part of the council area Directions cover Durham City and other named areas (2016-2022); extension to rest of county proposed. |
|---|---|
| Additional licensing | No scheme found |
| Selective licensing | In force in part of the council area Selective licensing in 103 designated areas 1 Apr 2022-31 Mar 2027; consultation on a replacement (87 postcodes, c.38% of PRS) closed 12 Aug 2026. |
Schemes change. Check the council’s current pages for the exact address in Durham before you buy or start work. Source: Durham County Council HMO licensing page, checked 2026-10-31.
How much do extensions for extra rooms cost in Durham?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-storey extension, about 15 m² | £35,000 – £60,000 | £32,200 – £55,200 | project |
| Single-storey extension per m² | £1,800 – £4,000 | £1,650 – £3,700 | m² |
Prices in Durham are shown with our regional adjustment for North East (below 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: 8–14 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 Durham.
When do Durham landlords need it?
Typical reasons for this work in Durham:
- Moving to more sharers with consent
- A kitchen too small for the number of sharers
Questions about extensions for extra rooms in Durham
Do you handle building control?
Yes, from application to completion certificate.
How far do you travel from Durham?
We cover the whole of County Durham and work UK-wide. For Durham the nearest towns on our list are Chester-le-Street (6 miles), Houghton-Le-Spring (6 miles), Stanley (8 miles).
Which council covers HMOs in Durham?
Durham is covered by Durham County Council. We read the council’s written HMO standards before pricing, and you should check the licence position for the exact address.
How much do extensions for extra rooms cost in Durham?
Our guide ranges for North 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.
Extensions for extra rooms near Durham
- Chester-le-Street · 6 mi
- Houghton-Le-Spring · 6 mi
- Stanley · 8 mi
- Washington · 9 mi
- Bishop Auckland · 9 mi
- Peterlee · 10 mi
- All of County Durham
Other HMO services in Durham
- Loft conversions for extra rooms in Durham
- Communal kitchen refits in Durham
- Layout changes and room reconfiguration in Durham
- Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Durham
- Ensuite installation in Durham
- House to HMO conversion in Durham
- Full HMO refurbishment in Durham
- Damp, mould and HHSRS repairs in Durham