An HMO kitchen refit designs and installs a shared kitchen with enough sinks, cookers, worktop, storage and fridge space for everyone in the house. Landlords in Reading (RG1, RG4, RG6 and RG30) usually come to us with a council letter, a fire risk assessment or a house they have just bought. We price from whichever you have. With students as well as working sharers renting in Reading, we plan bigger jobs for the gap between academic-year tenancies where we can.
- Area
- Berkshire, England
- Postcodes
- RG1, RG4, RG6 and RG30
- Location
- 37 miles west of London
- Council
- Reading Borough Council
- Pricing region
- South East
What do communal kitchen refits in Reading involve?
- Lockable food storage for each sharer
- Durable worktops and flooring
- Electrics, sockets and lighting
- Fridge and freezer space
- Extraction to outside
Which rules apply in Reading?
Here is what usually applies to a Reading job of this kind. It is general information rather than legal advice, and the council’s written HMO standards have the final detail.
- 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.
- Smoke alarms on every storey with living accommodation and CO alarms by fixed combustion appliances (other than gas cookers) are required by law.
Reading Borough Council: local HMO schemes
| Article 4 (HMO) | In force in part of the council area C3-C4 direction for parts of Park, Redlands and Katesgrove wards (from 2012, extended 2017) plus Jesse Terrace (made Jan 2016). |
|---|---|
| Additional licensing | In force across the council area Borough-wide additional HMO licensing commenced 1 Mar 2026 (five-year maximum). |
| Selective licensing | Proposed Selective licensing planned for Battle ward first, then Park and Redlands at 12-14 month intervals; not yet formally designated. |
Schemes change. Check the council’s current pages for the exact address in Reading before you buy or start work. Source: Reading Borough Council HMO licensing page, checked 2026-10-31.
How much do communal kitchen refits cost in Reading?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £8,950 – £20,150 | kitchen |
| Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides) | £800 – £2,000 | £900 – £2,250 | house |
Prices in Reading are shown with our regional adjustment for South East (above the UK average). Your quote is itemised and fixed in writing once the scope and specification are agreed.
How long does it take?
Most jobs of this kind take 1–2 weeks. If a council deadline applies in Reading, tell us at the first call so the programme is built around it.
If the house is let to students, we work backwards from the next tenancy start date in Reading.
When do Reading landlords need it?
Landlords in Reading most often ask us for this when:
- A licence condition about kitchen facilities
- Tired kitchens that are putting tenants off
Questions about communal kitchen refits in Reading
Can kitchens be split between floors?
Yes, and in larger houses it often helps. A second kitchen can reduce pressure on one room and helps meet the ratios.
Which postcodes in Reading do you work in?
All of them, including RG1, RG4, RG6 and RG30, and the surrounding parts of Berkshire.
Which council covers HMOs in Reading?
Reading is covered by Reading Borough 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 communal kitchen refits cost in Reading?
Our guide ranges for South 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.
Communal kitchen refits near Reading
- Lower Earley · 3 mi
- Wokingham · 7 mi
- Crowthorne · 10 mi
- Yateley · 10 mi
- Bracknell · 10 mi
- Sandhurst · 11 mi
- All of Berkshire
Other HMO services in Reading
- Shared bathroom and shower room refits in Reading
- Student HMO refurbishment in Reading
- Full HMO refurbishment in Reading
- Fire alarm and detection systems in Reading
- Layout changes and room reconfiguration in Reading
- House to HMO conversion in Reading
- Sound insulation in Reading
- Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Reading