A small HMO is a shared house for three to six unrelated people. For a house in Brent we start with a measured survey, check the council’s written HMO standards for the number of sharers, and then price each item separately.
- Area
- Greater London, England
- Postcodes
- HA0 and HA9
- Location
- 8 miles west of London
- Council
- London Borough of Brent
- Pricing region
- London
What do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Brent involve?
- Locks, door closers and thumb-turn locks on the exit route
- Decoration and durable flooring
- Electrical upgrades and certificate
- Interlinked smoke and heat detection
- Fire doors to rooms off the escape route
Which rules apply in Brent?
Here is what usually applies to a Brent job of this kind. It is general information rather than legal advice, and the council’s written HMO standards have the final detail.
- Under the Renters’ Rights Act, civil penalties reach £40,000 for offences such as running an unlicensed HMO.
- Floor area under a ceiling lower than 1.5 m does not count towards the room size, and many councils set larger sizes.
- 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.
London Borough of Brent: local HMO schemes
| Article 4 (HMO) | In force across the council area Borough-wide Article 4 Direction (C3 to C4) since 1 Nov 2022. |
|---|---|
| Additional licensing | In force across the council area Borough-wide additional licensing in force 2 Feb 2026 to 1 Feb 2031. |
| Selective licensing | In force in part of the council area All wards except Wembley Park: Dollis Hill, Harlesden & Kensal Green, Willesden Green 1 Aug 2023-31 Jul 2028; 18 further wards 1 Apr 2024-31 Mar 2029. |
Schemes change. Check the council’s current pages for the exact address in Brent before you buy or start work. Source: London Borough of Brent HMO licensing page, checked 2026-10-31.
How much do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) cost in Brent?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical 3–4 bed house to a 5–6 bed HMO, all-in | £30,000 – £75,000 | £38,400 – £96,000 | project |
| Conversion works per letting room (walls, linings, electrics, decoration; excludes kitchens, bathrooms and fire systems; our estimate) | £3,500 – £6,500 | £4,500 – £8,300 | letting room |
| Shared bathroom refit | £5,500 – £9,000 | £7,050 – £11,500 | bathroom |
| Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides) | £800 – £2,000 | £1,000 – £2,550 | house |
| FD30S fire door leaf into an existing frame, with seals, closer and hinges, fitted | £300 – £600 | £380 – £770 | door |
Use these as a starting point for budgeting. Access, condition and the council’s requirements in Brent 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.
When do Brent landlords need it?
Landlords in Brent most often ask us for this when:
- A three or four-bedroom house you want to let to sharers
- An existing small HMO needs bringing up to date
Questions about small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Brent
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.
How far do you travel from Brent?
We cover the whole of Greater London and work UK-wide. For Brent the nearest towns on our list are Wembley (0 miles), Harrow (2 miles), Greenford (3 miles).
Which council covers HMOs in Brent?
Brent is covered by London Borough of Brent. 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 Brent?
Our guide ranges for London 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 Brent
- Wembley · 0 mi
- Harrow · 2 mi
- Greenford · 3 mi
- Northolt · 3 mi
- Acton · 3 mi
- Willesden · 3 mi
- All of Greater London