- Nation
- Northern Ireland
- Pricing region
- Northern Ireland
- Postcode areas
- BT
- Main towns
- Bangor (County Down), Banbridge, Holywood
What do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in County Down involve?
- Electrical upgrades and certificate
- Room-by-room size check before any work starts
- Kitchen enlarged or refitted for the number of sharers
- Decoration and durable flooring
- Interlinked smoke and heat detection
- Second bathroom, shower room or ensuites
Which rules apply in County Down?
- A licence is needed where 3 or more people forming more than two households live as their main home and pay rent; the NI HMO Unit at Belfast City Council licenses for every council.
- 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 Down?
| 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 Down
Questions about small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in County Down
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 County Down?
Yes, across the whole of County Down, including Bangor (County Down), Banbridge, Holywood.
Who licenses HMOs in County Down?
HMO licensing in County Down, 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 Down
- House to HMO conversion in County Down
- Ensuite installation in County Down
- Fire alarm and detection systems in County Down
- Communal kitchen refits in County Down
- Fire doors in County Down
- Licence condition and schedule-of-works in County Down
- Commercial and above-shop to HMO in County Down
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in County Down