A large HMO is a shared house for seven or more people. Chatham is 30 miles east of London. 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. With students as well as working sharers renting in Chatham, we plan bigger jobs for the gap between academic-year tenancies where we can.
- Area
- Kent, England
- Postcodes
- ME1, ME4, ME5 and ME7
- Location
- 30 miles east of London
- Council
- Medway Council
- Pricing region
- South East
What do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Chatham involve?
- Emergency lighting where the escape route needs it
- Ensuites or extra bathrooms
- Second kitchen or extra kitchen capacity
- Sound insulation between rooms and floors
- Planning and building control drawings, coordinated with your designer
Which rules apply in Chatham?
Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Chatham 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:
- 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.
- 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.
Medway Council: local HMO schemes
| Article 4 (HMO) | In force in part of the council area Article 4 Direction for seven wards (Chatham Central & Brompton, Fort Pitt, Gillingham North/South, Luton, Strood North & Frindsbury, Watling), approved 16 Dec 2025, in force Jan 2026. |
|---|---|
| Additional licensing | Approved, starts 4 Jan 2027 Six wards (Chatham Central & Brompton, Fort Pitt, Gillingham North and South, Luton, Watling), 4 Jan 2027 to 3 Jan 2032. |
| Selective licensing | Approved, starts 4 Jan 2027 Seven wards (as additional licensing plus Strood North & Frindsbury), 4 Jan 2027 to 3 Jan 2032. |
Schemes change. Check the council’s current pages for the exact address in Chatham before you buy or start work. Source: Medway Council HMO licensing page, checked 2026-10-31.
How much do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) cost in Chatham?
| 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 |
Prices in Chatham are shown with our regional adjustment for South East (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.
For student houses in Chatham, booking by spring is the safest way to make the summer gap.
When do Chatham landlords need it?
We usually get the call when:
- 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 Chatham
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 Chatham?
Yes. We work across Chatham and the ME1, ME4, ME5 and ME7 postcode areas, plus the rest of Kent. Nearby places we also cover include Gillingham, Rochester, Strood.
Which council covers HMOs in Chatham?
Chatham is covered by Medway Council. 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 Chatham?
Our guide ranges for South East 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 Chatham
- Gillingham · 1 mi
- Rochester · 1 mi
- Strood · 2 mi
- Maidstone · 8 mi
- Gravesend · 8 mi
- Sittingbourne · 9 mi
- All of Kent
Other HMO services in Chatham
- House to HMO conversion in Chatham
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Chatham
- Fire alarm and detection systems in Chatham
- Sound insulation in Chatham
- Loft conversions for extra rooms in Chatham
- Extensions for extra rooms in Chatham
- Communal kitchen refits in Chatham
- Licence condition and schedule-of-works in Chatham