A full HMO refurbishment brings a tired or non-compliant shared house back up to standard in one project: strip-out, repairs, new kitchens and bathrooms, fire safety, electrics, heating, decoration and flooring. Cambridge is 30 miles south-east of Peterborough. We price full HMO refurbishment there against England’s HMO rules and the council’s written HMO standards, so work is planned to the standard an inspection looks for. With students as well as working sharers renting in Cambridge, we plan bigger jobs for the gap between academic-year tenancies where we can.
- Area
- Cambridgeshire, England
- Postcodes
- CB21, CB22, CB23 and CB24
- Location
- 30 miles south-east of Peterborough
- Council
- Cambridge City Council
- Pricing region
- East of England
What does full HMO refurbishment in Cambridge involve?
- New or refitted kitchens and bathrooms
- Decoration, flooring and furniture-ready rooms
- Rewire or electrical upgrades
- Heating and hot water upgrades
- Fire doors, detection and escape route upgrades
Which rules apply in Cambridge?
Here is what usually applies to a Cambridge 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.
- Council standards often step up at 5 and 6 sharers, for example a separate WC at 5 and a second bathroom from 6.
- 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.
- Electrical installations must be inspected and tested at least every 5 years; remedial work is due within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so.
Cambridge City Council: local HMO schemes
| Article 4 (HMO) | Proposed No small-HMO Article 4 direction in force; after a 2026 petition the council said (July 2026) it is building the case for one. No direction made yet. |
|---|---|
| Additional licensing | No scheme found |
| Selective licensing | No scheme found |
Schemes change. Check the council’s current pages for the exact address in Cambridge before you buy or start work. Source: Cambridge City Council HMO licensing page, checked 2026-10-31.
How much does full HMO refurbishment cost in Cambridge?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full refurbishment per letting room, with a share of communal areas (excludes kitchens, bathrooms and fire systems; our estimate) | £4,000 – £9,000 | £4,250 – £9,550 | letting room |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £8,500 – £19,100 | kitchen |
| Shared bathroom refit | £5,500 – £9,000 | £5,850 – £9,550 | bathroom |
| Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides) | £800 – £2,000 | £850 – £2,100 | house |
| Full rewire, 4–5 bedroom house | £6,000 – £12,000 | £6,350 – £12,700 | house |
Use these as a starting point for budgeting. Access, condition and the council’s requirements in Cambridge can move the figure either way, which is why we quote after seeing the house.
How long does it take?
Allow 4–12 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.
If the house is let to students, we work backwards from the next tenancy start date in Cambridge.
When do Cambridge landlords need it?
We usually get the call when:
- You have bought an existing HMO that needs work
- A council inspection or licence renewal has listed defects
Questions about full HMO refurbishment in Cambridge
Can you refurbish an HMO while tenants live there?
Sometimes, room by room, with the escape route kept clear and the fire alarm working at all times. For heavier work it is usually quicker and safer to do it with the house empty. We plan the phasing with you.
Do you cover all of Cambridge?
Yes. We work across Cambridge and the CB21, CB22, CB23 and CB24 postcode areas, plus the rest of Cambridgeshire. Nearby places we also cover include Newmarket, Ely, Huntingdon.
Which council covers HMOs in Cambridge?
Cambridge is covered by Cambridge City Council. We read the council’s written HMO standards before pricing, and you should check the licence position for the exact address.
How much does full HMO refurbishment cost in Cambridge?
Our guide ranges for East of England 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.
Full HMO refurbishment near Cambridge
- Newmarket · 13 mi
- Ely · 15 mi
- Huntingdon · 16 mi
- Haverhill · 16 mi
- Saint Neots · 16 mi
- Letchworth Garden City · 21 mi
- All of Cambridgeshire
Other HMO services in Cambridge
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in Cambridge
- HMO fire safety upgrades in Cambridge
- Rewires and EICR remedials in Cambridge
- Communal kitchen refits in Cambridge
- Shared bathroom and shower room refits in Cambridge
- Damp, mould and HHSRS repairs in Cambridge
- Commercial and above-shop to HMO in Cambridge
- Fire alarm and detection systems in Cambridge