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. In Orkney Islands we survey first, price each item separately and hand over the certificates and photos a council asks for.
- Nation
- Scotland
- Pricing region
- Scotland
- Postcode areas
- KW
What does full HMO refurbishment in Orkney Islands involve?
- Decoration, flooring and furniture-ready rooms
- Strip-out and making good
- New or refitted kitchens and bathrooms
- Fire doors, detection and escape route upgrades
- Heating and hot water upgrades
- Rewire or electrical upgrades
Which rules apply in Orkney Islands?
- Every HMO needs a council licence: 3 or more people who are not all from one or two families, sharing basic amenities. Licences last up to 3 years.
- Kitchen, WC and bathroom ratios come from council standards; one WC and one bath or shower per 5 people is a common figure.
- The tolerable standard requires interlinked smoke alarms in the main living room and circulation spaces and a heat alarm in the kitchen; licensed HMOs must meet the council’s higher standard.
- An EICR before the first let and at least every 5 years, with C1 and C2 items fixed, PAT testing of supplied appliances and RCD protection.
- Awaab’s Law applies to most private tenancies from 6 October 2026: damp and mould reports must be investigated within 10 working days, and repairs to substantial damp or mould must start within 5 working days.
Scottish councils set their own HMO licence standards and planning policies. Every HMO needs a licence, so check the council’s standards before you design the layout.
How much does full HMO refurbishment cost in Orkney Islands?
| 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 | £3,800 – £8,550 | letting room |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £7,600 – £17,100 | kitchen |
| Shared bathroom refit | £5,500 – £9,000 | £5,200 – £8,550 | bathroom |
| Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides) | £800 – £2,000 | £760 – £1,900 | house |
| Full rewire, 4–5 bedroom house | £6,000 – £12,000 | £5,700 – £11,400 | house |
Typical time on site: 4–12 weeks. For a figure for your house, try the guide-price tool.
Questions about full HMO refurbishment in Orkney Islands
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 provide certificates at the end?
Yes: electrical and fire alarm certificates, and building control completion where it applies.
Do you carry out full HMO refurbishment across Orkney Islands?
Yes, across the whole of Orkney Islands.
Who licenses HMOs in Orkney Islands?
Orkney Islands council licenses HMOs in its area. Every HMO in Scotland needs a licence.
Other HMO services in Orkney Islands
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in Orkney Islands
- HMO fire safety upgrades in Orkney Islands
- Rewires and EICR remedials in Orkney Islands
- Communal kitchen refits in Orkney Islands
- Shared bathroom and shower room refits in Orkney Islands
- Damp, mould and HHSRS repairs in Orkney Islands
- Fire doors in Orkney Islands
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Orkney Islands