- Nation
- England
- Pricing region
- South East
- Postcode areas
- TN, BN, RH
- Main towns
- Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings, Hove, Bexhill-on-Sea
What do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in East Sussex involve?
- Second bathroom, shower room or ensuites
- Fire doors to rooms off the escape route
- Locks, door closers and thumb-turn locks on the exit route
- Interlinked smoke and heat detection
- Decoration and durable flooring
- Room-by-room size check before any work starts
Which rules apply in East Sussex?
- Licences last up to 5 years and carry conditions on gas and electrical safety, alarms, room sizes and waste.
- 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.
- Council standards often step up at 5 and 6 sharers, for example a separate WC at 5 and a second bathroom from 6.
- 7 or more sharers is a sui generis large HMO and normally needs planning permission.
- Fire precautions follow a risk assessment; the LACORS Housing – Fire Safety guide (2008) is guidance, not law, but many councils base their standards on it.
Councils in England can add additional licensing and Article 4 directions on top of the national rules. Check the council’s website for the exact address before you buy or start work.
How much do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) cost in East Sussex?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical 3–4 bed house to a 5–6 bed HMO, all-in | £30,000 – £75,000 | £33,600 – £84,000 | project |
| Conversion works per letting room (walls, linings, electrics, decoration; excludes kitchens, bathrooms and fire systems; our estimate) | £3,500 – £6,500 | £3,900 – £7,300 | letting room |
| Shared bathroom refit | £5,500 – £9,000 | £6,150 – £10,100 | bathroom |
| Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides) | £800 – £2,000 | £900 – £2,250 | house |
| FD30S fire door leaf into an existing frame, with seals, closer and hinges, fitted | £300 – £600 | £340 – £670 | 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 East Sussex
Questions about small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in East Sussex
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 East Sussex?
Yes, across the whole of East Sussex, including Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings.
Who licenses HMOs in East Sussex?
HMOs in East Sussex are licensed by the local council for the address. Where an area has several councils, each runs its own licensing and planning policies.
Other HMO services in East Sussex
- House to HMO conversion in East Sussex
- Ensuite installation in East Sussex
- Fire alarm and detection systems in East Sussex
- Communal kitchen refits in East Sussex
- Fire doors in East Sussex
- Licence condition and schedule-of-works in East Sussex
- Sound insulation in East Sussex
- Shared bathroom and shower room refits in East Sussex