A large HMO is a shared house for seven or more people. For a house in Derry we start with a measured survey, check the NI HMO standards and licence conditions for the number of sharers, and then price each item separately. With students as well as working sharers renting in Derry, we plan bigger jobs for the gap between academic-year tenancies where we can.
- Area
- County Londonderry, Northern Ireland
- Postcodes
- BT47 and BT48
- Pricing region
- Northern Ireland
What do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Derry involve?
- Fire alarm and detection system sized for the building
- Sound insulation between rooms and floors
- Second kitchen or extra kitchen capacity
- Protected stair and landing with fire doors and fire stopping
- Emergency lighting where the escape route needs it
Which rules apply in Derry?
The rules below are the Northern Ireland-wide position for this kind of work. The NI HMO Unit’s standards and licence conditions apply on top, so we always check the address in Derry before we price.
- 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.
How much do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) cost in Derry?
| 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 |
These are typical ranges including VAT, adjusted for Northern Ireland, where costs run below the UK average. The fixed price for a house in Derry follows a site visit.
How long does it take?
Most jobs of this kind take 10–20 weeks. If a council deadline applies in Derry, tell us at the first call so the programme is built around it.
If the house is let to students, we work backwards from the next tenancy start date in Derry.
When do Derry landlords need it?
Landlords in Derry most often ask us for this when:
- A large house, three or more storeys, or a building with lots of rooms
- An existing large HMO needs works before a licence renewal
Questions about large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Derry
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.
Which postcodes in Derry do you work in?
All of them, including BT47 and BT48, and the surrounding parts of County Londonderry.
Does a shared house in Derry need an HMO licence?
Yes, if 3 or more people forming more than two households live there as their main home and pay rent. Licensing for every council in Northern Ireland is run by the NI HMO Unit at Belfast City Council.
How much do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) cost in Derry?
Our guide ranges for Northern Ireland 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 Derry
- Londonderry County Borough · 0 mi
- Strabane · 14 mi
- Coleraine · 27 mi
- Omagh · 28 mi
- Ballymena · 42 mi
- Enniskillen · 47 mi
- All of County Londonderry
Other HMO services in Derry
- House to HMO conversion in Derry
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Derry
- Fire alarm and detection systems in Derry
- Sound insulation in Derry
- Loft conversions for extra rooms in Derry
- Extensions for extra rooms in Derry
- Damp, mould and HHSRS repairs in Derry
- EPC and energy upgrades in Derry