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. Landlords in City of Westminster (SW1 and W2) usually come to us with a council letter, a fire risk assessment or a house they have just bought. We price from whichever you have.
- Area
- Greater London, England
- Postcodes
- SW1 and W2
- Location
- 1 miles south-west of London
- Pricing region
- London
What does house to HMO conversion in City of Westminster involve?
- Decoration, flooring and a handover pack for licensing
- Extra bathrooms, shower rooms or ensuites
- Fire doors, fire-rated linings and an interlinked fire alarm
- A communal kitchen sized for the number of sharers
- New stud walls, door openings and room splits
Which rules apply in City of Westminster?
House to HMO conversion in City of Westminster 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:
- Under the Renters’ Rights Act, civil penalties reach £40,000 for offences such as running an unlicensed HMO.
- 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.
- Council standards often step up at 5 and 6 sharers, for example a separate WC at 5 and a second bathroom from 6.
- 3–6 unrelated sharers is use class C4; changing from a family house is usually permitted development unless an Article 4 direction applies.
How much does house to HMO conversion cost in City of Westminster?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical 3–4 bed house to a 5–6 bed HMO, all-in | £30,000 – £75,000 | £38,400 – £96,000 | project |
| Conversion works per letting room (walls, linings, electrics, decoration; excludes kitchens, bathrooms and fire systems; our estimate) | £3,500 – £6,500 | £4,500 – £8,300 | letting room |
| Ensuite shower room added to a bedroom | £4,000 – £10,000 | £5,100 – £12,800 | ensuite |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £10,250 – £23,050 | kitchen |
| Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides) | £800 – £2,000 | £1,000 – £2,550 | house |
Use these as a starting point for budgeting. Access, condition and the council’s requirements in City of Westminster can move the figure either way, which is why we quote after seeing the house.
How long does it take?
Allow 6–14 weeks on site for a typical job. Drawings, approvals and long-lead items such as kitchens or fire door sets are booked before we start.
When do City of Westminster landlords need it?
We usually get the call when:
- A council has said an existing shared house needs works before a licence
- You have bought, or are buying, a house to let to sharers
Questions about house to HMO conversion in City of Westminster
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.
Do you cover all of City of Westminster?
Yes. We work across City of Westminster and the SW1 and W2 postcode areas, plus the rest of Greater London. Nearby places we also cover include Pimlico, London, Chelsea.
Does a shared house in City of Westminster need an HMO licence?
In England, a mandatory licence is needed for 5 or more people from 2 or more households. Smaller HMOs can need a licence where the council runs additional licensing, which is common in towns with many shared houses. Check the council’s website for the address.
How much does house to HMO conversion cost in City of Westminster?
Our guide ranges for London 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.
House to HMO conversion near City of Westminster
- Pimlico · 1 mi
- London · 1 mi
- Chelsea · 2 mi
- Battersea · 2 mi
- Brixton · 3 mi
- Fulham · 3 mi
- All of Greater London
Other HMO services in City of Westminster
- Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in City of Westminster
- Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in City of Westminster
- HMO fire safety upgrades in City of Westminster
- Ensuite installation in City of Westminster
- Communal kitchen refits in City of Westminster
- Layout changes and room reconfiguration in City of Westminster
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in City of Westminster
- EPC and energy upgrades in City of Westminster