A small HMO is a shared house for three to six unrelated people. For a house in Bath we start with a measured survey, check the council’s written HMO standards for the number of sharers, and then price each item separately. Bath has a university population, so many shared houses are let to students on yearly tenancies, and summer is the main window for works.
- Area
- Somerset, England
- Postcodes
- BA1
- Location
- 12 miles south-east of Bristol
- Council
- Bath and North East Somerset Council
- Pricing region
- South West
What do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Bath involve?
- Kitchen enlarged or refitted for the number of sharers
- Decoration and durable flooring
- Second bathroom, shower room or ensuites
- Interlinked smoke and heat detection
- Electrical upgrades and certificate
Which rules apply in Bath?
Here is what usually applies to a Bath 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.
- 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.
- 3–6 unrelated sharers is use class C4; changing from a family house is usually permitted development unless an Article 4 direction applies.
Bath and North East Somerset Council: local HMO schemes
| Article 4 (HMO) | In force in part of the council area Article 4 Direction (C3 to C4) covers the whole City of Bath (not the wider district), in effect 1 Jul 2013. |
|---|---|
| Additional licensing | No scheme found |
| Selective licensing | No scheme found |
Schemes change. Check the council’s current pages for the exact address in Bath before you buy or start work. Source: Bath and North East Somerset Council HMO licensing page, checked 2026-10-31.
How much do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) cost in Bath?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical 3–4 bed house to a 5–6 bed HMO, all-in | £30,000 – £75,000 | £31,200 – £78,000 | project |
| Conversion works per letting room (walls, linings, electrics, decoration; excludes kitchens, bathrooms and fire systems; our estimate) | £3,500 – £6,500 | £3,650 – £6,750 | letting room |
| Shared bathroom refit | £5,500 – £9,000 | £5,700 – £9,350 | bathroom |
| Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides) | £800 – £2,000 | £830 – £2,100 | house |
| FD30S fire door leaf into an existing frame, with seals, closer and hinges, fitted | £300 – £600 | £310 – £620 | door |
Use these as a starting point for budgeting. Access, condition and the council’s requirements in Bath can move the figure either way, which is why we quote after seeing the house.
How long does it take?
Most jobs of this kind take 4–10 weeks. If a council deadline applies in Bath, tell us at the first call so the programme is built around it.
If the house is let to students, we work backwards from the next tenancy start date in Bath.
When do Bath landlords need it?
Typical reasons for this work in Bath:
- You want a three to six sharer layout that fits the local planning rules
- An existing small HMO needs bringing up to date
Questions about small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Bath
How many bathrooms does a small HMO need?
National rules in England say amenities must be adequate for the number of sharers, and councils set the numbers: often a bathroom plus a separate WC at five people and a second bathroom from six. We work to the figure your council publishes.
Which postcodes in Bath do you work in?
All of them, including BA1, and the surrounding parts of Somerset.
Which council covers HMOs in Bath?
Bath is covered by Bath and North East Somerset 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 Bath?
Our guide ranges for South West 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 Bath
- Trowbridge · 8 mi
- Kingswood · 8 mi
- Mangotsfield · 10 mi
- Frome · 10 mi
- Bristol · 12 mi
- Yate · 12 mi
- All of Somerset