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. Romford is 14 miles east of London. We price house to HMO conversion 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
- Greater London, England
- Postcodes
- RM1, RM2, RM7 and RM12
- Location
- 14 miles east of London
- Pricing region
- London
What does house to HMO conversion in Romford involve?
- New stud walls, door openings and room splits
- A communal kitchen sized for the number of sharers
- Measured survey and room-size check against the licensing standards
- Decoration, flooring and a handover pack for licensing
- Fire doors, fire-rated linings and an interlinked fire alarm
Which rules apply in Romford?
Here is what usually applies to a Romford job of this kind. It is general information rather than legal advice, and the council’s written HMO standards have the final detail.
- Under the Renters’ Rights Act, civil penalties reach £40,000 for offences such as running an unlicensed HMO.
- Floor area under a ceiling lower than 1.5 m does not count towards the room size, and many councils set larger sizes.
- Council standards often step up at 5 and 6 sharers, for example a separate WC at 5 and a second bathroom from 6.
- 7 or more sharers is a sui generis large HMO and normally needs planning permission.
How much does house to HMO conversion cost in Romford?
| 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 |
Prices in Romford are shown with our regional adjustment for London (above 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: 6–14 weeks. We agree the programme with you before starting and send photo updates as the work progresses.
When do Romford landlords need it?
We usually get the call when:
- You have bought, or are buying, a house to let to sharers
- A family let is moving to room-by-room letting
Questions about house to HMO conversion in Romford
Do I need planning permission to turn a house into an HMO?
It depends on the nation, the council and the number of sharers. In England, three to six unrelated sharers is use class C4, and moving from a family house is usually permitted development unless the council has an Article 4 direction; seven or more normally needs permission. In Wales a change to an HMO always needs permission, in Northern Ireland all new HMOs need it, and in Scotland council policy decides. We check the address before drawings start.
Which postcodes in Romford do you work in?
All of them, including RM1, RM2, RM7 and RM12, and the surrounding parts of Greater London.
Does a shared house in Romford 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 Romford?
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 Romford
- Hornchurch · 2 mi
- Dagenham · 2 mi
- Becontree · 3 mi
- Ilford · 5 mi
- Barking · 5 mi
- Thamesmead · 6 mi
- All of Greater London
Other HMO services in Romford
- Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Romford
- Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Romford
- HMO fire safety upgrades in Romford
- Ensuite installation in Romford
- Communal kitchen refits in Romford
- Layout changes and room reconfiguration in Romford
- Loft conversions for extra rooms in Romford
- Licence condition and schedule-of-works in Romford