A small HMO is a shared house for three to six unrelated people. For a house in Romford 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
- RM1, RM2, RM7 and RM12
- Location
- 14 miles east of London
- Pricing region
- London
What do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Romford involve?
- Locks, door closers and thumb-turn locks on the exit route
- Kitchen enlarged or refitted for the number of sharers
- Room-by-room size check before any work starts
- Interlinked smoke and heat detection
- Second bathroom, shower room or ensuites
Which rules apply in Romford?
Here is what usually applies to a Romford job of this kind. It is general information rather than legal advice, and the council’s written HMO standards have the final detail.
- Mandatory HMO licence for 5 or more people in 2 or more households (since October 2018); councils can add additional licensing for smaller HMOs.
- 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.
- 3–6 unrelated sharers is use class C4; changing from a family house is usually permitted development unless an Article 4 direction applies.
How much do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) cost in Romford?
| 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 |
These are typical ranges including VAT, adjusted for London, where costs run above the UK average. The fixed price for a house in Romford follows a site visit.
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 Romford landlords need it?
We usually get the call when:
- An existing small HMO needs bringing up to date
- A three or four-bedroom house you want to let to sharers
Questions about small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Romford
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.
Which postcodes in Romford do you work in?
All of them, including RM1, RM2, RM7 and RM12, and the surrounding parts of Greater London.
Does a shared house in Romford need an HMO licence?
In England, a mandatory licence is needed for 5 or more people from 2 or more households. Smaller HMOs can need a licence where the council runs additional licensing, which is common in towns with many shared houses. Check the council’s website for the address.
How much do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) cost in Romford?
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 Romford
- Hornchurch · 2 mi
- Dagenham · 2 mi
- Becontree · 3 mi
- Ilford · 5 mi
- Barking · 5 mi
- Thamesmead · 6 mi
- All of Greater London