- Nation
- England
- Pricing region
- South East
- Postcode areas
- SO, RG, GU, SP
- Main towns
- Southampton, Portsmouth, Basingstoke, Gosport, Waterlooville
What do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Hampshire involve?
- Ensuites or extra bathrooms
- Second kitchen or extra kitchen capacity
- Emergency lighting where the escape route needs it
- Sound insulation between rooms and floors
- Planning and building control drawings, coordinated with your designer
- Protected stair and landing with fire doors and fire stopping
Which rules apply in Hampshire?
- Under the Renters’ Rights Act, civil penalties reach £40,000 for offences such as running an unlicensed HMO.
- 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.
- A conversion can be a material change of use under the building regulations, so confirm with building control before work starts.
Councils in England can add additional licensing and Article 4 directions on top of the national rules. Check the council’s website for the exact address before you buy or start work.
How much do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) cost in Hampshire?
| 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 | £3,900 – £7,300 | letting room |
| Panel alarm system (Grade A type), larger HMO | £1,750 – £4,500 | £1,950 – £5,050 | house |
| Protected route upgrades: fire-resisting linings, fire stopping, lighting (three-storey house, our estimate) | £2,000 – £6,000 | £2,250 – £6,700 | house |
| Ensuite shower room added to a bedroom | £4,000 – £10,000 | £4,500 – £11,200 | ensuite |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £8,950 – £20,150 | kitchen |
Typical time on site: 10–20 weeks. For a figure for your house, try the guide-price tool.
Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) by town in Hampshire
- Southampton
- Portsmouth
- Basingstoke
- Gosport
- Waterlooville
- Farnborough
- Eastleigh
- Winchester
- Havant
- Andover
- Fareham
- Fleet
- Totton
- New Milton
- Bordon
- Hythe
- Yateley
Questions about large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Hampshire
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.
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.
Do you carry out large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) across Hampshire?
Yes, across the whole of Hampshire, including Southampton, Portsmouth, Basingstoke.
Who licenses HMOs in Hampshire?
HMOs in Hampshire are licensed by the local council for the address. Where an area has several councils, each runs its own licensing and planning policies.
Other HMO services in Hampshire
- House to HMO conversion in Hampshire
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Hampshire
- Fire alarm and detection systems in Hampshire
- Sound insulation in Hampshire
- Loft conversions for extra rooms in Hampshire
- Extensions for extra rooms in Hampshire
- Fire doors in Hampshire
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in Hampshire