A large HMO is a shared house for seven or more people. Landlords in St Albans (AL1, AL2 and AL3) usually come to us with a council letter, a fire risk assessment or a house they have just bought. We price from whichever you have.
- Area
- Hertfordshire, England
- Postcodes
- AL1, AL2 and AL3
- Location
- 19 miles north-west of London
- Pricing region
- East of England
What do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in St Albans involve?
- Sound insulation between rooms and floors
- Second kitchen or extra kitchen capacity
- Feasibility review and measured survey
- Ensuites or extra bathrooms
- Fire alarm and detection system sized for the building
Which rules apply in St Albans?
Here is what usually applies to a St Albans job of this kind. It is general information rather than legal advice, and the council’s written HMO standards have the final detail.
- Licences last up to 5 years and carry conditions on gas and electrical safety, alarms, room sizes and waste.
- 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.
How much do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) cost in St Albans?
| 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 | £3,700 – £6,900 | letting room |
| Panel alarm system (Grade A type), larger HMO | £1,750 – £4,500 | £1,850 – £4,750 | house |
| Protected route upgrades: fire-resisting linings, fire stopping, lighting (three-storey house, our estimate) | £2,000 – £6,000 | £2,100 – £6,350 | house |
| Ensuite shower room added to a bedroom | £4,000 – £10,000 | £4,250 – £10,600 | ensuite |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £8,500 – £19,100 | kitchen |
Prices in St Albans are shown with our regional adjustment for East of England (above the UK average). Your quote is itemised and fixed in writing once the scope and specification are agreed.
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.
When do St Albans landlords need it?
Typical reasons for this work in St Albans:
- 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 St Albans
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 St Albans?
Yes. We work across St Albans and the AL1, AL2 and AL3 postcode areas, plus the rest of Hertfordshire. Nearby places we also cover include Harpenden, Hatfield, Hemel Hempstead.
Where do I check the HMO rules for an address in St Albans?
With the local council for the address. 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 St Albans?
Our guide ranges for East of England 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 St Albans
- Harpenden · 5 mi
- Hatfield · 5 mi
- Hemel Hempstead · 5 mi
- North Watford · 5 mi
- Welwyn Garden City · 6 mi
- Borehamwood · 7 mi
- All of Hertfordshire
Other HMO services in St Albans
- House to HMO conversion in St Albans
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in St Albans
- Fire alarm and detection systems in St Albans
- Sound insulation in St Albans
- Loft conversions for extra rooms in St Albans
- Extensions for extra rooms in St Albans
- Ensuite installation in St Albans
- Student HMO refurbishment in St Albans