A large HMO is a shared house for seven or more people. London is in England. 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.
- Area
- Greater London, England
- Postcodes
- EC1A, EC1M, EC1N and EC1R
- Pricing region
- London
What do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in London involve?
- Fire alarm and detection system sized for the building
- Second kitchen or extra kitchen capacity
- Protected stair and landing with fire doors and fire stopping
- Ensuites or extra bathrooms
- Sound insulation between rooms and floors
Which rules apply in London?
Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in London must satisfy national law for England, the council’s written HMO standards and, where walls, drainage or fire separation change, the building rules. In short:
- Licences last up to 5 years and carry conditions on gas and electrical safety, alarms, room sizes and waste.
- 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.
- 3–6 unrelated sharers is use class C4; changing from a family house is usually permitted development unless an Article 4 direction applies.
How much do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) cost in London?
| 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 London 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 London, tell us at the first call so the programme is built around it.
When do London landlords need it?
We usually get the call when:
- An existing large HMO needs works before a licence renewal
- A large house, three or more storeys, or a building with lots of rooms
Questions about large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in London
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 cover all of London?
Yes. We work across London and the EC1A, EC1M, EC1N and EC1R postcode areas, plus the rest of Greater London. Nearby places we also cover include City of Westminster, Pimlico, Islington.
Does a shared house in London need an HMO licence?
In England, a mandatory licence is needed for 5 or more people from 2 or more households. Smaller HMOs can need a licence where the council runs additional licensing, which is common in towns with many shared houses. Check the council’s website for the address.
How much do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) cost in London?
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 London
- City of Westminster · 1 mi
- Pimlico · 1 mi
- Islington · 2 mi
- Camden Town · 2 mi
- Chelsea · 2 mi
- Chalk Farm · 3 mi
- All of Greater London
Other HMO services in London
- House to HMO conversion in London
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in London
- Fire alarm and detection systems in London
- Sound insulation in London
- Loft conversions for extra rooms in London
- Extensions for extra rooms in London
- Shared bathroom and shower room refits in London
- Fire doors in London