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. In Chatham, a town of around 80,000 people in Kent, the work is planned around the HMO rules for England and the council’s written HMO standards. With students as well as working sharers renting in Chatham, we plan bigger jobs for the gap between academic-year tenancies where we can.
- Area
- Kent, England
- Postcodes
- ME1, ME4, ME5 and ME7
- Location
- 30 miles east of London
- Council
- Medway Council
- Pricing region
- South East
What do layout changes and room reconfiguration in Chatham involve?
- Making good and decoration
- Moving kitchens off the escape route
- New stud walls and door openings
- Measured survey and options drawings
- Fire separation for new rooms
Which rules apply in Chatham?
Here is what usually applies to a Chatham job of this kind. It is general information rather than legal advice, and the council’s written HMO standards have the final detail.
- Licensed HMOs must meet national minimum bedroom sizes: 6.51 m² for one person aged 10 or over, 10.22 m² for two, and 4.64 m² for a child under 10.
- 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.
- Building regulations cover structural changes, new partitions, ensuite drainage, fire-resisting construction and notifiable electrical work.
- Council standards often step up at 5 and 6 sharers, for example a separate WC at 5 and a second bathroom from 6.
Medway Council: local HMO schemes
| Article 4 (HMO) | In force in part of the council area Article 4 Direction for seven wards (Chatham Central & Brompton, Fort Pitt, Gillingham North/South, Luton, Strood North & Frindsbury, Watling), approved 16 Dec 2025, in force Jan 2026. |
|---|---|
| Additional licensing | Approved, starts 4 Jan 2027 Six wards (Chatham Central & Brompton, Fort Pitt, Gillingham North and South, Luton, Watling), 4 Jan 2027 to 3 Jan 2032. |
| Selective licensing | Approved, starts 4 Jan 2027 Seven wards (as additional licensing plus Strood North & Frindsbury), 4 Jan 2027 to 3 Jan 2032. |
Schemes change. Check the council’s current pages for the exact address in Chatham before you buy or start work. Source: Medway Council HMO licensing page, checked 2026-10-31.
How much do layout changes and room reconfiguration cost in Chatham?
| 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 |
Use these as a starting point for budgeting. Access, condition and the council’s requirements in Chatham can move the figure either way, which is why we quote after seeing the house.
How long does it take?
Typical time on site: 1–4 weeks. We agree the programme with you before starting and send photo updates as the work progresses.
For student houses in Chatham, booking by spring is the safest way to make the summer gap.
When do Chatham landlords need it?
We usually get the call when:
- A kitchen on the escape route
- Rooms below the size standard
Questions about layout changes and room reconfiguration in Chatham
Can you split a large room into two letting rooms?
If both new rooms meet the size standard, have natural light and ventilation, and the fire strategy allows, yes.
Which postcodes in Chatham do you work in?
All of them, including ME1, ME4, ME5 and ME7, and the surrounding parts of Kent.
Which council covers HMOs in Chatham?
Chatham is covered by Medway 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 Chatham?
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 Chatham
- Gillingham · 1 mi
- Rochester · 1 mi
- Strood · 2 mi
- Maidstone · 8 mi
- Gravesend · 8 mi
- Sittingbourne · 9 mi
- All of Kent
Other HMO services in Chatham
- House to HMO conversion in Chatham
- Extensions for extra rooms in Chatham
- Loft conversions for extra rooms in Chatham
- Ensuite installation in Chatham
- Communal kitchen refits in Chatham
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Chatham
- Licence condition and schedule-of-works in Chatham
- Professional and co-living HMO refurbs in Chatham