An HMO bedroom upgrade refits a letting room so it is more comfortable and easier to let: built-in storage, a proper desk space, better lighting and sockets, sound-reducing doors, durable flooring and fresh decoration. In Durham, a town of around 50,000 people, the work is planned around the HMO rules for England and the council’s written HMO standards. With students as well as working sharers renting in Durham, we plan bigger jobs for the gap between academic-year tenancies where we can.
- Area
- County Durham, England
- Postcodes
- DH1
- Location
- 14 miles south of Newcastle upon Tyne
- Council
- Durham County Council
- Pricing region
- North East
What do bedroom upgrades and room refits in Durham involve?
- Window and radiator upgrades
- LED lighting and dimmers
- Flooring and decoration
- Desk area with sockets and USB points
- Fitted wardrobes and storage
Which rules apply in Durham?
Here is what usually applies to a Durham job of this kind. It is general information rather than legal advice, and the council’s written HMO standards have the final detail.
- 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.
- Smoke alarms on every storey with living accommodation and CO alarms by fixed combustion appliances (other than gas cookers) are required by law.
- 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.
- Floor area under a ceiling lower than 1.5 m does not count towards the room size, and many councils set larger sizes.
Durham County Council: local HMO schemes
| Article 4 (HMO) | In force in part of the council area Directions cover Durham City and other named areas (2016-2022); extension to rest of county proposed. |
|---|---|
| Additional licensing | No scheme found |
| Selective licensing | In force in part of the council area Selective licensing in 103 designated areas 1 Apr 2022-31 Mar 2027; consultation on a replacement (87 postcodes, c.38% of PRS) closed 12 Aug 2026. |
Schemes change. Check the council’s current pages for the exact address in Durham before you buy or start work. Source: Durham County Council HMO licensing page, checked 2026-10-31.
How much do bedroom upgrades and room refits cost in Durham?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedroom upgrade: fitted storage, desk, sockets, flooring, decoration (our estimate) | £1,500 – £4,500 | £1,400 – £4,150 | room |
| FD30S fire door leaf into an existing frame, with seals, closer and hinges, fitted | £300 – £600 | £280 – £550 | door |
| Acoustic upgrade to a party or partition wall | £900 – £2,000 | £830 – £1,850 | wall |
Prices in Durham are shown with our regional adjustment for North East (below the UK average). Your quote is itemised and fixed in writing once the scope and specification are agreed.
How long does it take?
Typical time on site: 2–5 working days per room. We agree the programme with you before starting and send photo updates as the work progresses.
If the house is let to students, we work backwards from the next tenancy start date in Durham.
When do Durham landlords need it?
Landlords in Durham most often ask us for this when:
- Moving a house to professional sharers
- Refreshing rooms one at a time
Questions about bedroom upgrades and room refits in Durham
Can you do rooms one at a time?
Yes. Most clients upgrade rooms as they become empty so the rest of the house keeps earning.
Which postcodes in Durham do you work in?
All of them, including DH1, and the surrounding parts of County Durham.
Which council covers HMOs in Durham?
Durham is covered by Durham County Council. We read the council’s written HMO standards before pricing, and you should check the licence position for the exact address.
How much do bedroom upgrades and room refits cost in Durham?
Our guide ranges for North East 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.
Bedroom upgrades and room refits near Durham
- Chester-le-Street · 6 mi
- Houghton-Le-Spring · 6 mi
- Stanley · 8 mi
- Washington · 9 mi
- Bishop Auckland · 9 mi
- Peterlee · 10 mi
- All of County Durham
Other HMO services in Durham
- Ensuite installation in Durham
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in Durham
- Professional and co-living HMO refurbs in Durham
- Sound insulation in Durham
- Rewires and EICR remedials in Durham
- Full HMO refurbishment in Durham
- Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Durham
- Commercial and above-shop to HMO in Durham