- Nation
- England
- Pricing region
- North West
- Postcode areas
- L, CH, WA, PR
- Main towns
- Liverpool, Birkenhead, St Helens, Southport, Wallasey
What do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Merseyside involve?
- Protected stair and landing with fire doors and fire stopping
- Feasibility review and measured survey
- Sound insulation between rooms and floors
- Planning and building control drawings, coordinated with your designer
- Second kitchen or extra kitchen capacity
- Ensuites or extra bathrooms
Which rules apply in Merseyside?
- Mandatory HMO licence for 5 or more people in 2 or more households (since October 2018); councils can add additional licensing for smaller HMOs.
- 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.
- 7 or more sharers is a sui generis large HMO and normally needs planning permission.
- 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 Merseyside?
| 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 | £3,350 – £6,250 | letting room |
| Panel alarm system (Grade A type), larger HMO | £1,750 – £4,500 | £1,700 – £4,300 | house |
| Protected route upgrades: fire-resisting linings, fire stopping, lighting (three-storey house, our estimate) | £2,000 – £6,000 | £1,900 – £5,750 | house |
| Ensuite shower room added to a bedroom | £4,000 – £10,000 | £3,850 – £9,600 | ensuite |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £7,700 – £17,300 | 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 Merseyside
- Liverpool
- Birkenhead
- St Helens
- Southport
- Wallasey
- Bootle
- Bebington
- Huyton
- Kirkby
- Prescot
- Heswall
- Maghull
- Ashton in Makerfield
- Newton-le-Willows
- Formby
- Litherland
- Speke
- Garston
- Halewood
Questions about large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Merseyside
Can you work with my architect?
Yes. We often build from an architect’s drawings, or we can recommend a designer to prepare them.
What fire alarm does a large HMO need?
The fire risk assessment and the council decide; alarm grades come from guidance, not statute. For larger HMOs, council guides and the NI fire service guide commonly point to a Grade A panel system covering escape routes and rooms. We fit to the specification set, and give you the commissioning certificate.
Do you carry out large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) across Merseyside?
Yes, across the whole of Merseyside, including Liverpool, Birkenhead, St Helens.
Who licenses HMOs in Merseyside?
HMOs in Merseyside 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 Merseyside
- House to HMO conversion in Merseyside
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Merseyside
- Fire alarm and detection systems in Merseyside
- Sound insulation in Merseyside
- Loft conversions for extra rooms in Merseyside
- Extensions for extra rooms in Merseyside
- EPC and energy upgrades in Merseyside
- Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Merseyside