A large HMO is a shared house for seven or more people. For a house in Folkestone we start with a measured survey, check the council’s written HMO standards for the number of sharers, and then price each item separately.
- Area
- Kent, England
- Postcodes
- CT19, CT20 and CT50
- Location
- 60 miles east of Brighton
- Pricing region
- South East
What do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Folkestone involve?
- Feasibility review and measured survey
- Sound insulation between rooms and floors
- Emergency lighting where the escape route needs it
- Fire alarm and detection system sized for the building
- Protected stair and landing with fire doors and fire stopping
Which rules apply in Folkestone?
Here is what usually applies to a Folkestone job of this kind. It is general information rather than legal advice, and the council’s written HMO standards have the final detail.
- Mandatory HMO licence for 5 or more people in 2 or more households (since October 2018); councils can add additional licensing for smaller HMOs.
- Floor area under a ceiling lower than 1.5 m does not count towards the room size, and many councils set larger sizes.
- 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.
How much do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) cost in Folkestone?
| 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 |
These are typical ranges including VAT, adjusted for South East, where costs run above the UK average. The fixed price for a house in Folkestone follows a site visit.
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 Folkestone landlords need it?
Landlords in Folkestone most often ask us for this 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 Folkestone
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.
How far do you travel from Folkestone?
We cover the whole of Kent and work UK-wide. For Folkestone the nearest towns on our list are Dover (7 miles), Ashford (Kent) (13 miles), Deal (14 miles).
Does a shared house in Folkestone 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 Folkestone?
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 Folkestone
- Dover · 7 mi
- Ashford (Kent) · 13 mi
- Deal · 14 mi
- Canterbury · 14 mi
- Faversham · 20 mi
- Herne Bay · 20 mi
- All of Kent
Other HMO services in Folkestone
- House to HMO conversion in Folkestone
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Folkestone
- Fire alarm and detection systems in Folkestone
- Sound insulation in Folkestone
- Loft conversions for extra rooms in Folkestone
- Extensions for extra rooms in Folkestone
- Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Folkestone
- Commercial and above-shop to HMO in Folkestone