A large HMO is a shared house for seven or more people. In Catford, a town of around 45,000 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
- SE6 and SE23
- Location
- 6 miles south-east of London
- Council
- London Borough of Lewisham
- Pricing region
- London
What do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Catford involve?
- Ensuites or extra bathrooms
- Second kitchen or extra kitchen capacity
- Protected stair and landing with fire doors and fire stopping
- Emergency lighting where the escape route needs it
- Sound insulation between rooms and floors
Which rules apply in Catford?
The rules below are the England-wide position for this kind of work. Councils add their own standards and schemes on top, so we always check the address in Catford before we price.
- 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.
- 7 or more sharers is a sui generis large HMO and normally needs planning permission.
London Borough of Lewisham: local HMO schemes
| Article 4 (HMO) | In force across the council area Direction for southern wards from 2020, extended to the rest of the borough from 2024. |
|---|---|
| Additional licensing | In force across the council area Borough-wide additional licensing 5 Apr 2022-4 Apr 2027. |
| Selective licensing | In force in part of the council area Selective licensing in 18 of 19 wards (excludes Telegraph Hill and parts of Blackheath) from 1 Jul 2024 to 30 Jun 2029. |
Schemes change. Check the council’s current pages for the exact address in Catford before you buy or start work. Source: London Borough of Lewisham HMO licensing page, checked 2026-10-31.
How much do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) cost in Catford?
| 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 |
Prices in Catford are shown with our regional adjustment for London (above the UK average). Your quote is itemised and fixed in writing once the scope and specification are agreed.
How long does it take?
Allow 10–20 weeks on site for a typical job. Drawings, approvals and long-lead items such as kitchens or fire door sets are booked before we start.
When do Catford landlords need it?
Typical reasons for this work in Catford:
- A large house, three or more storeys, or a building with lots of rooms
- You have planning in place, or want to apply
Questions about large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Catford
Does a seven-bed HMO need planning permission?
In England, normally yes: seven or more unrelated sharers is a sui generis use outside class C4. Wales and Northern Ireland require permission for new HMOs anyway, and in Scotland more than five residents falls outside the houses class. Councils also apply concentration policies, so we check the address first.
Which postcodes in Catford do you work in?
All of them, including SE6 and SE23, and the surrounding parts of Greater London.
Which council covers HMOs in Catford?
Catford is covered by London Borough of Lewisham. 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 Catford?
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 Catford
- Blackheath · 2 mi
- Greenwich · 2 mi
- Beckenham · 3 mi
- Peckham · 3 mi
- Eltham · 3 mi
- Brixton · 4 mi
- All of Greater London
Other HMO services in Catford
- House to HMO conversion in Catford
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Catford
- Fire alarm and detection systems in Catford
- Sound insulation in Catford
- Loft conversions for extra rooms in Catford
- Extensions for extra rooms in Catford
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in Catford
- EPC and energy upgrades in Catford