A large HMO is a shared house for seven or more people. For a house in Ely we start with a measured survey, check the council’s written HMO standards for the number of sharers, and then price each item separately.
- Area
- Cambridgeshire, England
- Postcodes
- CB6 and CB7
- Location
- 15 miles north-east of Cambridge
- Pricing region
- East of England
What do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Ely involve?
- Ensuites or extra bathrooms
- Sound insulation between rooms and floors
- Feasibility review and measured survey
- Second kitchen or extra kitchen capacity
- Fire alarm and detection system sized for the building
Which rules apply in Ely?
The rules below are the England-wide position for this kind of work. Councils add their own standards and schemes on top, so we always check the address in Ely before we price.
- 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.
- 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 Ely?
| 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 |
Prices in Ely are shown with our regional adjustment for East of England (above the UK average). Your quote is itemised and fixed in writing once the scope and specification are agreed.
How long does it take?
Most jobs of this kind take 10–20 weeks. If a council deadline applies in Ely, tell us at the first call so the programme is built around it.
When do Ely landlords need it?
Landlords in Ely most often ask us for this when:
- An existing large HMO needs works before a licence renewal
- A large house, three or more storeys, or a building with lots of rooms
Questions about large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Ely
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 Ely?
Yes. We work across Ely and the CB6 and CB7 postcode areas, plus the rest of Cambridgeshire. Nearby places we also cover include Newmarket, March, Cambridge.
Does a shared house in Ely 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 do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) cost in Ely?
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 Ely
- Newmarket · 12 mi
- March · 13 mi
- Cambridge · 15 mi
- Wisbech · 19 mi
- Huntingdon · 20 mi
- Thetford · 21 mi
- All of Cambridgeshire