A small HMO is a shared house for three to six unrelated people. For a house in Derby we start with a measured survey, check the council’s written HMO standards for the number of sharers, and then price each item separately. Derby has a university population, so many shared houses are let to students on yearly tenancies, and summer is the main window for works.
- Area
- Derbyshire, England
- Postcodes
- DE1, DE21, DE22 and DE23
- Location
- 14 miles west of Nottingham
- Council
- Derby City Council
- Pricing region
- East Midlands
What do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Derby involve?
- Decoration and durable flooring
- Locks, door closers and thumb-turn locks on the exit route
- Kitchen enlarged or refitted for the number of sharers
- Interlinked smoke and heat detection
- Second bathroom, shower room or ensuites
Which rules apply in Derby?
Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Derby must satisfy national law for England, the council’s written HMO standards and, where walls, drainage or fire separation change, the building rules. In short:
- Mandatory HMO licence for 5 or more people in 2 or more households (since October 2018); councils can add additional licensing for smaller HMOs.
- Licensed HMOs must meet national minimum bedroom sizes: 6.51 m² for one person aged 10 or over, 10.22 m² for two, and 4.64 m² for a child under 10.
- National rules ask for an adequate number of bathrooms, WCs and basins and suitably located kitchens; numeric ratios are set by each council.
- 3–6 unrelated sharers is use class C4; changing from a family house is usually permitted development unless an Article 4 direction applies.
Derby City Council: local HMO schemes
| Article 4 (HMO) | In force in part of the council area Article 4 Direction for all of Arboretum ward plus parts of Abbey, Alvaston North, Darley, Mackworth, New Zealand, Normanton, Sinfin & Osmaston within the ring road; in force 3 May 2025. |
|---|---|
| Additional licensing | No scheme found |
| Selective licensing | No scheme found |
Schemes change. Check the council’s current pages for the exact address in Derby before you buy or start work. Source: Derby City Council HMO licensing page, checked 2026-10-31.
How much do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) cost in Derby?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical 3–4 bed house to a 5–6 bed HMO, all-in | £30,000 – £75,000 | £29,100 – £72,750 | project |
| Conversion works per letting room (walls, linings, electrics, decoration; excludes kitchens, bathrooms and fire systems; our estimate) | £3,500 – £6,500 | £3,400 – £6,300 | letting room |
| Shared bathroom refit | £5,500 – £9,000 | £5,350 – £8,750 | bathroom |
| Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides) | £800 – £2,000 | £780 – £1,950 | house |
| FD30S fire door leaf into an existing frame, with seals, closer and hinges, fitted | £300 – £600 | £290 – £580 | door |
Use these as a starting point for budgeting. Access, condition and the council’s requirements in Derby can move the figure either way, which is why we quote after seeing the house.
How long does it take?
Allow 4–10 weeks on site for a typical job. Drawings, approvals and long-lead items such as kitchens or fire door sets are booked before we start.
For student houses in Derby, booking by spring is the safest way to make the summer gap.
When do Derby landlords need it?
Landlords in Derby most often ask us for this when:
- An existing small HMO needs bringing up to date
- You want a three to six sharer layout that fits the local planning rules
Questions about small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Derby
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.
Which postcodes in Derby do you work in?
All of them, including DE1, DE21, DE22 and DE23, and the surrounding parts of Derbyshire.
Which council covers HMOs in Derby?
Derby is covered by Derby City 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 Derby?
Our guide ranges for East Midlands 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 Derby
- Belper · 7 mi
- Ilkeston · 8 mi
- Heanor · 8 mi
- Ripley · 8 mi
- Long Eaton · 9 mi
- Burton upon Trent · 11 mi
- All of Derbyshire