Full HMO refurbishment across Greater London

In short: 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. Across Greater London, the work is planned around England’s HMO rules and the standards the local council publishes.

Nation: England
Pricing region: London
Postcode areas: W, E, SW, SE
Main towns: London, Brent, Islington, City of Westminster, Bexley

What does full HMO refurbishment in Greater London involve?

Strip-out and making good
Fire doors, detection and escape route upgrades
Decoration, flooring and furniture-ready rooms
Heating and hot water upgrades
Rewire or electrical upgrades
Condition survey and schedule of works

Which rules apply in Greater London?

Licences last up to 5 years and carry conditions on gas and electrical safety, alarms, room sizes and waste.
National rules ask for an adequate number of bathrooms, WCs and basins and suitably located kitchens; numeric ratios are set by each council.
The Fire Safety Order 2005 applies to the common parts of HMOs, enforced by the fire and rescue authority.
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.
Councils assess hazards, including damp, mould and fire, under the HHSRS; revised regulations and guidance applied from 23 June 2026.

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 does full HMO refurbishment cost in Greater London?

Regional adjustment for London. Planning budgets: see our prices page.
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	£5,100 – £11,500	letting room
Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges)	£8,000 – £18,000	£10,250 – £23,050	kitchen
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
Full rewire, 4–5 bedroom house	£6,000 – £12,000	£7,700 – £15,350	house

Typical time on site: 4–12 weeks. For a figure for your house, try the guide-price tool.

Full HMO refurbishment by town in Greater London

Questions about full HMO refurbishment in Greater London

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.

How much does a full HMO refurbishment cost?

It depends on size and condition. Our guide prices page shows typical UK ranges per room and per square metre, and we give a fixed written quote after a site visit.

Do you carry out full HMO refurbishment across Greater London?

Yes, across the whole of Greater London, including London, Brent, Islington.

Who licenses HMOs in Greater London?

HMOs in Greater London are licensed by the local council for the address. Where an area has several councils, each runs its own licensing and planning policies.