A large HMO is a shared house for seven or more people. For a house in Chichester we start with a measured survey, check the council’s written HMO standards for the number of sharers, and then price each item separately. Chichester has a university population, so many shared houses are let to students on yearly tenancies, and summer is the main window for works.
- Area
- West Sussex, England
- Postcodes
- PO19 and PO20
- Location
- 28 miles east of Southampton
- Pricing region
- South East
What do large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Chichester involve?
- Planning and building control drawings, coordinated with your designer
- Feasibility review and measured survey
- Protected stair and landing with fire doors and fire stopping
- Fire alarm and detection system sized for the building
- Emergency lighting where the escape route needs it
Which rules apply in Chichester?
Here is what usually applies to a Chichester job of this kind. It is general information rather than legal advice, and the council’s written HMO standards have the final detail.
- Under the Renters’ Rights Act, civil penalties reach £40,000 for offences such as running an unlicensed HMO.
- 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 Chichester?
| 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 Chichester 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 Chichester, booking by spring is the safest way to make the summer gap.
When do Chichester 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 Chichester
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 cover all of Chichester?
Yes. We work across Chichester and the PO19 and PO20 postcode areas, plus the rest of West Sussex. Nearby places we also cover include Bognor Regis, Havant, Littlehampton.
Where do I check the HMO rules for an address in Chichester?
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 Chichester?
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 Chichester
- Bognor Regis · 6 mi
- Havant · 9 mi
- Littlehampton · 11 mi
- Waterlooville · 11 mi
- Portsmouth · 14 mi
- Gosport · 16 mi
- All of West Sussex
Other HMO services in Chichester
- House to HMO conversion in Chichester
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Chichester
- Fire alarm and detection systems in Chichester
- Sound insulation in Chichester
- Loft conversions for extra rooms in Chichester
- Extensions for extra rooms in Chichester
- Ensuite installation in Chichester
- Shared bathroom and shower room refits in Chichester