- Nation
- Scotland
- Pricing region
- Scotland
- Postcode areas
- EH
- Main towns
- Edinburgh
What do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in City of Edinburgh involve?
- Room-by-room size check before any work starts
- Second bathroom, shower room or ensuites
- Electrical upgrades and certificate
- Interlinked smoke and heat detection
- Locks, door closers and thumb-turn locks on the exit route
- Fire doors to rooms off the escape route
Which rules apply in City of Edinburgh?
- Every HMO needs a council licence: 3 or more people who are not all from one or two families, sharing basic amenities. Licences last up to 3 years.
- Room sizes are set by each council; East Lothian, for example, uses 6.5 m² for a single room with a shared lounge and kitchen, and 10 m² without.
- Kitchen, WC and bathroom ratios come from council standards; one WC and one bath or shower per 5 people is a common figure.
- Scotland has no C4 use class: up to 5 residents can fall within Class 9 (houses), and HMO planning policy is set by each council, some of which require permission at lower numbers.
- The tolerable standard requires interlinked smoke alarms in the main living room and circulation spaces and a heat alarm in the kitchen; licensed HMOs must meet the council’s higher standard.
How much do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) cost in City of Edinburgh?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical 3–4 bed house to a 5–6 bed HMO, all-in | £30,000 – £75,000 | £28,500 – £71,250 | project |
| Conversion works per letting room (walls, linings, electrics, decoration; excludes kitchens, bathrooms and fire systems; our estimate) | £3,500 – £6,500 | £3,300 – £6,200 | letting room |
| Shared bathroom refit | £5,500 – £9,000 | £5,200 – £8,550 | bathroom |
| Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides) | £800 – £2,000 | £760 – £1,900 | house |
| FD30S fire door leaf into an existing frame, with seals, closer and hinges, fitted | £300 – £600 | £280 – £570 | door |
Typical time on site: 4–10 weeks. For a figure for your house, try the guide-price tool.
Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) by town in City of Edinburgh
Questions about small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in City of Edinburgh
Can I keep a lounge in a small HMO?
Yes, and many councils expect some shared living space where bedrooms are at the smaller end of the size range. We plan the layout so the house works for sharers and meets the local standard.
Does a small HMO need a licence?
In England a mandatory licence is needed when five or more people from two or more households share, and smaller HMOs can need one where the council runs additional licensing. Wales still applies a three-storey test, while in Scotland and Northern Ireland every HMO needs a licence. We check the address and tell you which applies before quoting.
Do you carry out small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) across City of Edinburgh?
Yes, across the whole of City of Edinburgh, including Edinburgh.
Who licenses HMOs in City of Edinburgh?
City of Edinburgh council licenses HMOs in its area. Every HMO in Scotland needs a licence.
Other HMO services in City of Edinburgh
- House to HMO conversion in City of Edinburgh
- Ensuite installation in City of Edinburgh
- Fire alarm and detection systems in City of Edinburgh
- Communal kitchen refits in City of Edinburgh
- Fire doors in City of Edinburgh
- Licence condition and schedule-of-works in City of Edinburgh
- Full HMO refurbishment in City of Edinburgh
- Damp, mould and HHSRS repairs in City of Edinburgh