HMO layout reconfiguration changes the internal plan of a shared house so the rooms, kitchens and bathrooms work together: moving or adding walls, splitting oversized rooms, merging undersized ones, or moving the kitchen off the escape route. Hove is 1 miles west of Brighton. We price layout changes and room reconfiguration there against England’s HMO rules and the council’s written HMO standards, so work is planned to the standard an inspection looks for.
- Area
- East Sussex, England
- Postcodes
- BN2 and BN3
- Location
- 1 miles west of Brighton
- Council
- Brighton & Hove City Council
- Pricing region
- South East
What do layout changes and room reconfiguration in Hove involve?
- Removing or altering walls with structural design
- Measured survey and options drawings
- New stud walls and door openings
- Fire separation for new rooms
- Merging undersized rooms
Which rules apply in Hove?
Layout changes and room reconfiguration in Hove 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:
- Floor area under a ceiling lower than 1.5 m does not count towards the room size, and many councils set larger sizes.
- 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.
- A conversion can be a material change of use under the building regulations, so confirm with building control before work starts.
- National rules ask for an adequate number of bathrooms, WCs and basins and suitably located kitchens; numeric ratios are set by each council.
Brighton & Hove City Council: local HMO schemes
| Article 4 (HMO) | In force across the council area City-wide C3-C4 Article 4 Direction confirmed Jan 2020 and in force June 2020 (replaced the 2013 five-ward direction). |
|---|---|
| Additional licensing | In force across the council area Additional licensing across all 23 wards 1 Jul 2024-30 Jun 2029. |
| Selective licensing | In force in part of the council area Kemptown, Moulsecoomb & Bevendean, Queen's Park, Whitehawk & Marina 2 Sep 2024-1 Sep 2029. Central Hove & Regency designation (made 6 Jul 2026, due 20 Oct 2026) is paused pending a legal challenge. |
Schemes change. Check the council’s current pages for the exact address in Hove before you buy or start work. Source: Brighton & Hove City Council HMO licensing page, checked 2026-10-31.
How much do layout changes and room reconfiguration cost in Hove?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| New stud wall and door forming a room, per room (our estimate) | £1,500 – £3,500 | £1,700 – £3,900 | room formed |
| 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 |
Prices in Hove 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?
Most jobs of this kind take 1–4 weeks. If a council deadline applies in Hove, tell us at the first call so the programme is built around it.
When do Hove landlords need it?
Landlords in Hove most often ask us for this when:
- A kitchen on the escape route
- Rooms below the size standard
Questions about layout changes and room reconfiguration in Hove
Can you work from my sketch?
Yes. We turn it into measured drawings and check it against the standards before you commit.
Which postcodes in Hove do you work in?
All of them, including BN2 and BN3, and the surrounding parts of East Sussex.
Which council covers HMOs in Hove?
Hove is covered by Brighton & Hove 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 do layout changes and room reconfiguration cost in Hove?
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.
Layout changes and room reconfiguration near Hove
- Brighton · 1 mi
- Portslade · 2 mi
- Rottingdean · 5 mi
- Burgess Hill · 9 mi
- Worthing · 9 mi
- Haywards Heath · 12 mi
- All of East Sussex
Other HMO services in Hove
- House to HMO conversion in Hove
- Extensions for extra rooms in Hove
- Loft conversions for extra rooms in Hove
- Ensuite installation in Hove
- Communal kitchen refits in Hove
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Hove
- Licence condition and schedule-of-works in Hove
- Rewires and EICR remedials in Hove