- Nation
- Northern Ireland
- Pricing region
- Northern Ireland
- Postcode areas
- BT
- Main towns
- Lisburn, Newtownabbey, Castlereagh, Carrickfergus, Ballymena
What do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in County Antrim involve?
- Interlinked smoke and heat detection
- Fire doors to rooms off the escape route
- Locks, door closers and thumb-turn locks on the exit route
- Second bathroom, shower room or ensuites
- Decoration and durable flooring
- Room-by-room size check before any work starts
Which rules apply in County Antrim?
- Licences usually last 5 years, and landlords must also register with the NI landlord registration scheme.
- Space and amenity standards come from the HMO (Living Accommodation Standard) Regulations (NI) 2019 and the licence conditions.
- Kitchens, bathrooms and WCs must meet the 2019 living accommodation standard regulations and licence conditions.
- All new HMOs need planning permission; councils such as Belfast apply HMO policy areas and limits on concentration.
- Doors on protected routes are typically FD30 or FD30S, self-closing on three hinges; emergency lighting is required in HMOs of 4 or more storeys.
In Northern Ireland, licensing is run centrally by the NI HMO Unit, and all new HMOs need planning permission and building control approval from the local council.
How much do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) cost in County Antrim?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical 3–4 bed house to a 5–6 bed HMO, all-in | £30,000 – £75,000 | £27,000 – £67,500 | project |
| Conversion works per letting room (walls, linings, electrics, decoration; excludes kitchens, bathrooms and fire systems; our estimate) | £3,500 – £6,500 | £3,150 – £5,850 | letting room |
| Shared bathroom refit | £5,500 – £9,000 | £4,950 – £8,100 | bathroom |
| Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides) | £800 – £2,000 | £720 – £1,800 | house |
| FD30S fire door leaf into an existing frame, with seals, closer and hinges, fitted | £300 – £600 | £270 – £540 | 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 County Antrim
Questions about small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in County Antrim
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.
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.
Do you carry out small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) across County Antrim?
Yes, across the whole of County Antrim, including Lisburn, Newtownabbey, Castlereagh.
Who licenses HMOs in County Antrim?
HMO licensing in County Antrim, as everywhere in Northern Ireland, is run by the NI HMO Unit at Belfast City Council. Planning and building control are handled by the local council.
Other HMO services in County Antrim
- House to HMO conversion in County Antrim
- Ensuite installation in County Antrim
- Fire alarm and detection systems in County Antrim
- Communal kitchen refits in County Antrim
- Fire doors in County Antrim
- Licence condition and schedule-of-works in County Antrim
- EPC and energy upgrades in County Antrim
- Student HMO refurbishment in County Antrim