A large HMO is a shared house for seven or more people. Derby is 14 miles west of Nottingham. We price large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) there against England’s HMO rules and the council’s written HMO standards, so work is planned to the standard an inspection looks for. Derby has a university population, so many shared houses are let to students on yearly tenancies, and summer is the main window for works.
- Area
- Derbyshire, England
- Postcodes
- DE1, DE21, DE22 and DE23
- Location
- 14 miles west of Nottingham
- Council
- Derby City Council
- Pricing region
- East Midlands
What do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Derby involve?
- Planning and building control drawings, coordinated with your designer
- Emergency lighting where the escape route needs it
- Sound insulation between rooms and floors
- Fire alarm and detection system sized for the building
- Ensuites or extra bathrooms
Which rules apply in Derby?
Here is what usually applies to a Derby 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.
- 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.
- Council standards often step up at 5 and 6 sharers, for example a separate WC at 5 and a second bathroom from 6.
- 3–6 unrelated sharers is use class C4; changing from a family house is usually permitted development unless an Article 4 direction applies.
Derby City Council: local HMO schemes
| Article 4 (HMO) | In force in part of the council area Article 4 Direction for all of Arboretum ward plus parts of Abbey, Alvaston North, Darley, Mackworth, New Zealand, Normanton, Sinfin & Osmaston within the ring road; in force 3 May 2025. |
|---|---|
| Additional licensing | No scheme found |
| Selective licensing | No scheme found |
Schemes change. Check the council’s current pages for the exact address in Derby before you buy or start work. Source: Derby City Council HMO licensing page, checked 2026-10-31.
How much do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) cost in Derby?
| 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 | £3,400 – £6,300 | letting room |
| Panel alarm system (Grade A type), larger HMO | £1,750 – £4,500 | £1,700 – £4,350 | house |
| Protected route upgrades: fire-resisting linings, fire stopping, lighting (three-storey house, our estimate) | £2,000 – £6,000 | £1,950 – £5,800 | house |
| Ensuite shower room added to a bedroom | £4,000 – £10,000 | £3,900 – £9,700 | ensuite |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £7,750 – £17,450 | kitchen |
Use these as a starting point for budgeting. Access, condition and the council’s requirements in Derby can move the figure either way, which is why we quote after seeing the house.
How long does it take?
Typical time on site: 10–20 weeks. We agree the programme with you before starting and send photo updates as the work progresses.
If the house is let to students, we work backwards from the next tenancy start date in Derby.
When do Derby landlords need it?
Typical reasons for this work in Derby:
- 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 Derby
What fire alarm does a large HMO need?
The fire risk assessment and the council decide; alarm grades come from guidance, not statute. For larger HMOs, council guides and the NI fire service guide commonly point to a Grade A panel system covering escape routes and rooms. We fit to the specification set, and give you the commissioning certificate.
How far do you travel from Derby?
We cover the whole of Derbyshire and work UK-wide. For Derby the nearest towns on our list are Belper (7 miles), Ilkeston (8 miles), Heanor (8 miles).
Which council covers HMOs in Derby?
Derby is covered by Derby City Council. We read the council’s written HMO standards before pricing, and you should check the licence position for the exact address.
How much do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) cost in Derby?
Our guide ranges for East Midlands 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 Derby
- Belper · 7 mi
- Ilkeston · 8 mi
- Heanor · 8 mi
- Ripley · 8 mi
- Long Eaton · 9 mi
- Burton upon Trent · 11 mi
- All of Derbyshire
Other HMO services in Derby
- House to HMO conversion in Derby
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Derby
- Fire alarm and detection systems in Derby
- Sound insulation in Derby
- Loft conversions for extra rooms in Derby
- Extensions for extra rooms in Derby
- Shared bathroom and shower room refits in Derby
- Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Derby