A small HMO is a shared house for three to six unrelated people. For a house in Edinburgh we start with a measured survey, check the council’s written HMO standards for the number of sharers, and then price each item separately. With students as well as working sharers renting in Edinburgh, we plan bigger jobs for the gap between academic-year tenancies where we can.
- Area
- City of Edinburgh, Scotland
- Postcodes
- EH1, EH2, EH3 and EH6
- Location
- 42 miles east of Glasgow
- Council
- City of Edinburgh Council
- Pricing region
- Scotland
What do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Edinburgh involve?
- Room-by-room size check before any work starts
- Fire doors to rooms off the escape route
- Locks, door closers and thumb-turn locks on the exit route
- Interlinked smoke and heat detection
- Electrical upgrades and certificate
Which rules apply in Edinburgh?
Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Edinburgh must satisfy national law for Scotland, the council’s written HMO standards and, where walls, drainage or fire separation change, the building rules. In short:
- 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.
How much do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) cost in 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 |
Prices in Edinburgh are shown with our regional adjustment for Scotland (below 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: 4–10 weeks. We agree the programme with you before starting and send photo updates as the work progresses.
If the house is let to students, we work backwards from the next tenancy start date in Edinburgh.
When do Edinburgh landlords need it?
Landlords in Edinburgh most often ask us for this when:
- You want a three to six sharer layout that fits the local planning rules
- A three or four-bedroom house you want to let to sharers
Questions about small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Edinburgh
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 cover all of Edinburgh?
Yes. We work across Edinburgh and the EH1, EH2, EH3 and EH6 postcode areas, plus the rest of City of Edinburgh. Nearby places we also cover include Musselburgh, Dalkeith, Bonnyrigg.
Which council covers HMOs in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh is covered by City of Edinburgh 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 small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) cost in Edinburgh?
Our guide ranges for Scotland 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.
Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) near Edinburgh
- Musselburgh · 6 mi
- Dalkeith · 6 mi
- Bonnyrigg · 6 mi
- Mayfield · 8 mi
- Penicuik · 8 mi
- Broxburn · 11 mi
- All of City of Edinburgh
Other HMO services in Edinburgh
- House to HMO conversion in Edinburgh
- Ensuite installation in Edinburgh
- Fire alarm and detection systems in Edinburgh
- Communal kitchen refits in Edinburgh
- Fire doors in Edinburgh
- Licence condition and schedule-of-works in Edinburgh
- Loft conversions for extra rooms in Edinburgh
- Commercial and above-shop to HMO in Edinburgh