- Nation
- Northern Ireland
- Pricing region
- Northern Ireland
- Postcode areas
- BT
- Main towns
- Londonderry County Borough, Derry, Coleraine
What do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in County Londonderry involve?
- Fire doors to rooms off the escape route
- Interlinked smoke and heat detection
- Decoration and durable flooring
- Kitchen enlarged or refitted for the number of sharers
- Room-by-room size check before any work starts
- Locks, door closers and thumb-turn locks on the exit route
Which rules apply in County Londonderry?
- 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 Londonderry?
| 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 Londonderry
Questions about small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in County Londonderry
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 Londonderry?
Yes, across the whole of County Londonderry, including Londonderry County Borough, Derry, Coleraine.
Who licenses HMOs in County Londonderry?
HMO licensing in County Londonderry, 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 Londonderry
- House to HMO conversion in County Londonderry
- Ensuite installation in County Londonderry
- Fire alarm and detection systems in County Londonderry
- Communal kitchen refits in County Londonderry
- Fire doors in County Londonderry
- Licence condition and schedule-of-works in County Londonderry
- HMO fire safety upgrades in County Londonderry
- Student HMO refurbishment in County Londonderry