A large HMO is a shared house for seven or more people. In Brent, a city of around 350,000 people in Greater London, the work is planned around the HMO rules for England and the council’s written HMO standards.
- Area
- Greater London, England
- Postcodes
- HA0 and HA9
- Location
- 8 miles west of London
- Council
- London Borough of Brent
- Pricing region
- London
What do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Brent involve?
- Sound insulation between rooms and floors
- Planning and building control drawings, coordinated with your designer
- Emergency lighting where the escape route needs it
- Fire alarm and detection system sized for the building
- Second kitchen or extra kitchen capacity
Which rules apply in Brent?
Here is what usually applies to a Brent 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.
- 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.
London Borough of Brent: local HMO schemes
| Article 4 (HMO) | In force across the council area Borough-wide Article 4 Direction (C3 to C4) since 1 Nov 2022. |
|---|---|
| Additional licensing | In force across the council area Borough-wide additional licensing in force 2 Feb 2026 to 1 Feb 2031. |
| Selective licensing | In force in part of the council area All wards except Wembley Park: Dollis Hill, Harlesden & Kensal Green, Willesden Green 1 Aug 2023-31 Jul 2028; 18 further wards 1 Apr 2024-31 Mar 2029. |
Schemes change. Check the council’s current pages for the exact address in Brent before you buy or start work. Source: London Borough of Brent HMO licensing page, checked 2026-10-31.
How much do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) cost in Brent?
| 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 | £4,500 – £8,300 | letting room |
| Panel alarm system (Grade A type), larger HMO | £1,750 – £4,500 | £2,250 – £5,750 | house |
| Protected route upgrades: fire-resisting linings, fire stopping, lighting (three-storey house, our estimate) | £2,000 – £6,000 | £2,550 – £7,700 | house |
| Ensuite shower room added to a bedroom | £4,000 – £10,000 | £5,100 – £12,800 | ensuite |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £10,250 – £23,050 | kitchen |
Use these as a starting point for budgeting. Access, condition and the council’s requirements in Brent can move the figure either way, which is why we quote after seeing the house.
How long does it take?
Most jobs of this kind take 10–20 weeks. If a council deadline applies in Brent, tell us at the first call so the programme is built around it.
When do Brent landlords need it?
Landlords in Brent most often ask us for this when:
- You have planning in place, or want to apply
- An existing large HMO needs works before a licence renewal
Questions about large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Brent
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 cover all of Brent?
Yes. We work across Brent and the HA0 and HA9 postcode areas, plus the rest of Greater London. Nearby places we also cover include Wembley, Harrow, Greenford.
Which council covers HMOs in Brent?
Brent is covered by London Borough of Brent. 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 Brent?
Our guide ranges for London 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 Brent
- Wembley · 0 mi
- Harrow · 2 mi
- Greenford · 3 mi
- Northolt · 3 mi
- Acton · 3 mi
- Willesden · 3 mi
- All of Greater London
Other HMO services in Brent
- House to HMO conversion in Brent
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Brent
- Fire alarm and detection systems in Brent
- Sound insulation in Brent
- Loft conversions for extra rooms in Brent
- Extensions for extra rooms in Brent
- Rewires and EICR remedials in Brent
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in Brent