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. We carry this out across Scottish Borders, priced against the HMO rules for Scotland and the council’s own standards.
- Nation
- Scotland
- Pricing region
- Scotland
- Postcode areas
- TD, EH, ML
- Main towns
- Hawick
What does full HMO refurbishment in Scottish Borders involve?
- Damp and mould repairs
- Rewire or electrical upgrades
- Heating and hot water upgrades
- Decoration, flooring and furniture-ready rooms
- New or refitted kitchens and bathrooms
- Condition survey and schedule of works
Which rules apply in Scottish Borders?
- 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.
- Councils set HMO fire standards through licence conditions, often including emergency lighting in larger HMOs.
- 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 Scottish Borders?
| 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.
Full HMO refurbishment by town in Scottish Borders
Questions about full HMO refurbishment in Scottish Borders
Do you provide certificates at the end?
Yes: electrical and fire alarm certificates, and building control completion where it applies.
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 Scottish Borders?
Yes, across the whole of Scottish Borders, including Hawick.
Who licenses HMOs in Scottish Borders?
Scottish Borders council licenses HMOs in its area. Every HMO in Scotland needs a licence.
Other HMO services in Scottish Borders
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in Scottish Borders
- HMO fire safety upgrades in Scottish Borders
- Rewires and EICR remedials in Scottish Borders
- Communal kitchen refits in Scottish Borders
- Shared bathroom and shower room refits in Scottish Borders
- Damp, mould and HHSRS repairs in Scottish Borders
- Extensions for extra rooms in Scottish Borders
- Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Scottish Borders