In short: A house to HMO conversion turns a single-family home into a house in multiple occupation: a shared home for unrelated people with private bedrooms and shared kitchen or bathroom space. In East Lothian we survey first, price each item separately and hand over the certificates and photos a council asks for.
- Nation
- Scotland
- Pricing region
- Scotland
- Postcode areas
- EH, TD
- Main towns
- Musselburgh
What does house to HMO conversion in East Lothian involve?
- New stud walls, door openings and room splits
- Fire doors, fire-rated linings and an interlinked fire alarm
- Rewiring or upgrades, with an electrical certificate
- A communal kitchen sized for the number of sharers
- Layout drawings showing bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms and the escape route
- Decoration, flooring and a handover pack for licensing
Which rules apply in East Lothian?
- Landlords must also be on the Scottish landlord register, renewed every 3 years.
- Room sizes are set by each council; East Lothian, for example, uses 6.5 m² for a single room with a shared lounge and kitchen, and 10 m² without.
- Kitchen, WC and bathroom ratios come from council standards; one WC and one bath or shower per 5 people is a common figure.
- Scotland has no C4 use class: up to 5 residents can fall within Class 9 (houses), and HMO planning policy is set by each council, some of which require permission at lower numbers.
- A building warrant may be needed for a change of use or for installing a fire alarm system; check with the council’s building standards service.
Scottish councils set their own HMO licence standards and planning policies. Every HMO needs a licence, so check the council’s standards before you design the layout.
How much does house to HMO conversion cost in East Lothian?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical 3–4 bed house to a 5–6 bed HMO, all-in | £30,000 – £75,000 | £28,500 – £71,250 | project |
| Conversion works per letting room (walls, linings, electrics, decoration; excludes kitchens, bathrooms and fire systems; our estimate) | £3,500 – £6,500 | £3,300 – £6,200 | letting room |
| Ensuite shower room added to a bedroom | £4,000 – £10,000 | £3,800 – £9,500 | ensuite |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £7,600 – £17,100 | kitchen |
| Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides) | £800 – £2,000 | £760 – £1,900 | house |
Typical time on site: 6–14 weeks. For a figure for your house, try the guide-price tool.
House to HMO conversion by town in East Lothian
Questions about house to HMO conversion in East Lothian
Can you work to a council’s HMO standards document?
Yes. Councils publish their own amenity and space standards. We read the one for your address and work to it, including kitchen and bathroom ratios.
How long does a house to HMO conversion take?
Most conversions of a three or four-bedroom house take six to fourteen weeks on site, after drawings and any approvals. Bigger layout changes, extensions or loft rooms add time.
Do you carry out house to HMO conversion across East Lothian?
Yes, across the whole of East Lothian, including Musselburgh.
Who licenses HMOs in East Lothian?
East Lothian council licenses HMOs in its area. Every HMO in Scotland needs a licence.
Other HMO services in East Lothian
- Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in East Lothian
- Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in East Lothian
- HMO fire safety upgrades in East Lothian
- Ensuite installation in East Lothian
- Communal kitchen refits in East Lothian
- Layout changes and room reconfiguration in East Lothian
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in East Lothian
- Extensions for extra rooms in East Lothian