A large HMO is a shared house for seven or more people. In Dunstable, a town of around 50,000 people in Bedfordshire, the work is planned around the HMO rules for England and the council’s written HMO standards.
- Area
- Bedfordshire, England
- Postcodes
- LU6
- Location
- 31 miles north-west of London
- Pricing region
- East of England
What do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Dunstable involve?
- Feasibility review and measured survey
- Ensuites or extra bathrooms
- Second kitchen or extra kitchen capacity
- Emergency lighting where the escape route needs it
- Protected stair and landing with fire doors and fire stopping
Which rules apply in Dunstable?
Here is what usually applies to a Dunstable job of this kind. It is general information rather than legal advice, and the council’s written HMO standards have the final detail.
- Mandatory HMO licence for 5 or more people in 2 or more households (since October 2018); councils can add additional licensing for smaller HMOs.
- Floor area under a ceiling lower than 1.5 m does not count towards the room size, and many councils set larger sizes.
- National rules ask for an adequate number of bathrooms, WCs and basins and suitably located kitchens; numeric ratios are set by each council.
- 7 or more sharers is a sui generis large HMO and normally needs planning permission.
How much do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) cost in Dunstable?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conversion works per letting room (walls, linings, electrics, decoration; excludes kitchens, bathrooms and fire systems; our estimate) | £3,500 – £6,500 | £3,700 – £6,900 | letting room |
| Panel alarm system (Grade A type), larger HMO | £1,750 – £4,500 | £1,850 – £4,750 | house |
| Protected route upgrades: fire-resisting linings, fire stopping, lighting (three-storey house, our estimate) | £2,000 – £6,000 | £2,100 – £6,350 | house |
| Ensuite shower room added to a bedroom | £4,000 – £10,000 | £4,250 – £10,600 | ensuite |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £8,500 – £19,100 | kitchen |
Use these as a starting point for budgeting. Access, condition and the council’s requirements in Dunstable can move the figure either way, which is why we quote after seeing the house.
How long does it take?
Allow 10–20 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 Dunstable landlords need it?
Landlords in Dunstable most often ask us for this when:
- You have planning in place, or want to apply
- A large house, three or more storeys, or a building with lots of rooms
Questions about large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Dunstable
Does a seven-bed HMO need planning permission?
In England, normally yes: seven or more unrelated sharers is a sui generis use outside class C4. Wales and Northern Ireland require permission for new HMOs anyway, and in Scotland more than five residents falls outside the houses class. Councils also apply concentration policies, so we check the address first.
Do you cover all of Dunstable?
Yes. We work across Dunstable and the LU6 postcode areas, plus the rest of Bedfordshire. Nearby places we also cover include Luton, Leighton Buzzard, Harpenden.
Where do I check the HMO rules for an address in Dunstable?
With the local council for the address. Councils in England can add additional licensing and Article 4 directions on top of the national rules. Check the council’s website for the exact address before you buy or start work.
How much do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) cost in Dunstable?
Our guide ranges for East of England 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.
Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) near Dunstable
- Luton · 5 mi
- Leighton Buzzard · 6 mi
- Harpenden · 9 mi
- Berkhamsted · 9 mi
- Hemel Hempstead · 10 mi
- Ampthill · 10 mi
- All of Bedfordshire
Other HMO services in Dunstable
- House to HMO conversion in Dunstable
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Dunstable
- Fire alarm and detection systems in Dunstable
- Sound insulation in Dunstable
- Loft conversions for extra rooms in Dunstable
- Extensions for extra rooms in Dunstable
- Commercial and above-shop to HMO in Dunstable
- Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Dunstable