- Nation
- England
- Pricing region
- South West
- Postcode areas
- SN, SP, BA, RG
- Main towns
- Swindon, Salisbury, Trowbridge, Chippenham
What do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Wiltshire involve?
- Electrical upgrades and certificate
- Fire doors to rooms off the escape route
- Locks, door closers and thumb-turn locks on the exit route
- Room-by-room size check before any work starts
- Interlinked smoke and heat detection
- Decoration and durable flooring
Which rules apply in Wiltshire?
- 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.
- 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 Wiltshire?
| 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 |
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 Wiltshire
Questions about small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Wiltshire
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.
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 carry out small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) across Wiltshire?
Yes, across the whole of Wiltshire, including Swindon, Salisbury, Trowbridge.
Who licenses HMOs in Wiltshire?
HMOs in Wiltshire 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 Wiltshire
- House to HMO conversion in Wiltshire
- Ensuite installation in Wiltshire
- Fire alarm and detection systems in Wiltshire
- Communal kitchen refits in Wiltshire
- Fire doors in Wiltshire
- Licence condition and schedule-of-works in Wiltshire
- Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Wiltshire
- Loft conversions for extra rooms in Wiltshire