A small HMO is a shared house for three to six unrelated people. Catford is 6 miles south-east of London. We price small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) there against England’s HMO rules and the council’s written HMO standards, so work is planned to the standard an inspection looks for.
- Area
- Greater London, England
- Postcodes
- SE6 and SE23
- Location
- 6 miles south-east of London
- Council
- London Borough of Lewisham
- Pricing region
- London
What do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Catford involve?
- Interlinked smoke and heat detection
- 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
- Decoration and durable flooring
Which rules apply in Catford?
Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Catford 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:
- 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.
London Borough of Lewisham: local HMO schemes
| Article 4 (HMO) | In force across the council area Direction for southern wards from 2020, extended to the rest of the borough from 2024. |
|---|---|
| Additional licensing | In force across the council area Borough-wide additional licensing 5 Apr 2022-4 Apr 2027. |
| Selective licensing | In force in part of the council area Selective licensing in 18 of 19 wards (excludes Telegraph Hill and parts of Blackheath) from 1 Jul 2024 to 30 Jun 2029. |
Schemes change. Check the council’s current pages for the exact address in Catford before you buy or start work. Source: London Borough of Lewisham HMO licensing page, checked 2026-10-31.
How much do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) cost in Catford?
| 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 Catford 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 Catford landlords need it?
Landlords in Catford most often ask us for this when:
- A three or four-bedroom house you want to let to sharers
- You want a three to six sharer layout that fits the local planning rules
Questions about small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Catford
What is the smallest room I can let?
In a licensed HMO in England, a room for one person aged 10 or over must be at least 6.51 square metres, not counting floor under a ceiling lower than 1.5 metres. Councils can set larger sizes, and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own standards. We measure every room before you commit to a layout.
Do you cover all of Catford?
Yes. We work across Catford and the SE6 and SE23 postcode areas, plus the rest of Greater London. Nearby places we also cover include Blackheath, Greenwich, Beckenham.
Which council covers HMOs in Catford?
Catford is covered by London Borough of Lewisham. 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 Catford?
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 Catford
- Blackheath · 2 mi
- Greenwich · 2 mi
- Beckenham · 3 mi
- Peckham · 3 mi
- Eltham · 3 mi
- Brixton · 4 mi
- All of Greater London
Other HMO services in Catford
- House to HMO conversion in Catford
- Ensuite installation in Catford
- Fire alarm and detection systems in Catford
- Communal kitchen refits in Catford
- Fire doors in Catford
- Licence condition and schedule-of-works in Catford
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Catford
- Full HMO refurbishment in Catford