- Nation
- England
- Pricing region
- South West
- Postcode areas
- PL, TR, EX
- Main towns
- Redruth, Falmouth, St Austell, Truro, Camborne
What do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Cornwall involve?
- Emergency lighting where the escape route needs it
- Fire alarm and detection system sized for the building
- Ensuites or extra bathrooms
- Protected stair and landing with fire doors and fire stopping
- Feasibility review and measured survey
- Second kitchen or extra kitchen capacity
Which rules apply in Cornwall?
- Mandatory HMO licence for 5 or more people in 2 or more households (since October 2018); councils can add additional licensing for smaller HMOs.
- 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.
- National rules ask for an adequate number of bathrooms, WCs and basins and suitably located kitchens; numeric ratios are set by each council.
- 3–6 unrelated sharers is use class C4; changing from a family house is usually permitted development unless an Article 4 direction applies.
- A conversion can be a material change of use under the building regulations, so confirm with building control before work starts.
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 Cornwall?
| 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 | £3,650 – £6,750 | letting room |
| Panel alarm system (Grade A type), larger HMO | £1,750 – £4,500 | £1,800 – £4,700 | house |
| Protected route upgrades: fire-resisting linings, fire stopping, lighting (three-storey house, our estimate) | £2,000 – £6,000 | £2,100 – £6,250 | house |
| Ensuite shower room added to a bedroom | £4,000 – £10,000 | £4,150 – £10,400 | ensuite |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £8,300 – £18,700 | kitchen |
Typical time on site: 10–20 weeks. For a figure for your house, try the guide-price tool.
Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) by town in Cornwall
Questions about large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Cornwall
Do you handle building control?
Yes. The building work in a large HMO conversion (partitions, fire separation, drainage, electrics) needs to meet the building regulations, and the conversion can also count as a material change of use. We confirm the route with building control, coordinate inspections and give you the completion paperwork.
Can you work with my architect?
Yes. We often build from an architect’s drawings, or we can recommend a designer to prepare them.
Do you carry out large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) across Cornwall?
Yes, across the whole of Cornwall, including Redruth, Falmouth, St Austell.
Who licenses HMOs in Cornwall?
HMOs in Cornwall are licensed by the local council for the address. Where an area has several councils, each runs its own licensing and planning policies.
Other HMO services in Cornwall
- House to HMO conversion in Cornwall
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Cornwall
- Fire alarm and detection systems in Cornwall
- Sound insulation in Cornwall
- Loft conversions for extra rooms in Cornwall
- Extensions for extra rooms in Cornwall
- Full HMO refurbishment in Cornwall
- Student HMO refurbishment in Cornwall