A small HMO is a shared house for three to six unrelated people. For a house in Holywood we start with a measured survey, check the NI HMO standards and licence conditions for the number of sharers, and then price each item separately.
- Area
- County Down, Northern Ireland
- Postcodes
- BT4 and BT18
- Location
- 5 miles north-east of Belfast
- Pricing region
- Northern Ireland
What do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Holywood involve?
- Decoration and durable flooring
- Interlinked smoke and heat detection
- Fire doors to rooms off the escape route
- Kitchen enlarged or refitted for the number of sharers
- Electrical upgrades and certificate
Which rules apply in Holywood?
Here is what usually applies to a Holywood job of this kind. It is general information rather than legal advice, and the NI HMO standards and licence conditions have the final detail.
- 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.
How much do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) cost in Holywood?
| 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 |
Prices in Holywood are shown with our regional adjustment for Northern Ireland (below the UK average). Your quote is itemised and fixed in writing once the scope and specification are agreed.
How long does it take?
Most jobs of this kind take 4–10 weeks. If a council deadline applies in Holywood, tell us at the first call so the programme is built around it.
When do Holywood landlords need it?
Landlords in Holywood 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 Holywood
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 Holywood?
Yes. We work across Holywood and the BT4 and BT18 postcode areas, plus the rest of County Down. Nearby places we also cover include Dundonald, Newtownabbey, Belfast.
Does a shared house in Holywood need an HMO licence?
Yes, if 3 or more people forming more than two households live there as their main home and pay rent. Licensing for every council in Northern Ireland is run by the NI HMO Unit at Belfast City Council.
How much do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) cost in Holywood?
Our guide ranges for Northern Ireland 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 Holywood
- Dundonald · 3 mi
- Newtownabbey · 4 mi
- Belfast · 5 mi
- Castlereagh · 5 mi
- Carrickfergus · 5 mi
- Newtownards · 6 mi
- All of County Down