- Nation
- Northern Ireland
- Pricing region
- Northern Ireland
- Postcode areas
- BT
- Main towns
- Bangor (County Down), Banbridge, Holywood
What do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in County Down involve?
- Sound insulation between rooms and floors
- Feasibility review and measured survey
- Fire alarm and detection system sized for the building
- Ensuites or extra bathrooms
- Second kitchen or extra kitchen capacity
- Planning and building control drawings, coordinated with your designer
Which rules apply in County Down?
- Licences usually last 5 years, and landlords must also register with the NI landlord registration scheme.
- Space and amenity standards come from the HMO (Living Accommodation Standard) Regulations (NI) 2019 and the licence conditions.
- Kitchens, bathrooms and WCs must meet the 2019 living accommodation standard regulations and licence conditions.
- All new HMOs need planning permission; councils such as Belfast apply HMO policy areas and limits on concentration.
- New HMOs need building control approval as well as planning permission.
In Northern Ireland, licensing is run centrally by the NI HMO Unit, and all new HMOs need planning permission and building control approval from the local council.
How much do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) cost in County Down?
| 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 | £3,150 – £5,850 | letting room |
| Panel alarm system (Grade A type), larger HMO | £1,750 – £4,500 | £1,600 – £4,050 | house |
| Protected route upgrades: fire-resisting linings, fire stopping, lighting (three-storey house, our estimate) | £2,000 – £6,000 | £1,800 – £5,400 | house |
| Ensuite shower room added to a bedroom | £4,000 – £10,000 | £3,600 – £9,000 | ensuite |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £7,200 – £16,200 | 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 County Down
Questions about large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in County Down
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 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.
Do you carry out large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) across County Down?
Yes, across the whole of County Down, including Bangor (County Down), Banbridge, Holywood.
Who licenses HMOs in County Down?
HMO licensing in County Down, as everywhere in Northern Ireland, is run by the NI HMO Unit at Belfast City Council. Planning and building control are handled by the local council.
Other HMO services in County Down
- House to HMO conversion in County Down
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in County Down
- Fire alarm and detection systems in County Down
- Sound insulation in County Down
- Loft conversions for extra rooms in County Down
- Extensions for extra rooms in County Down
- Professional and co-living HMO refurbs in County Down
- Commercial and above-shop to HMO in County Down