In short: An HMO kitchen refit designs and installs a shared kitchen with enough sinks, cookers, worktop, storage and fridge space for everyone in the house. In Greater London we survey first, price each item separately and hand over the certificates and photos a council asks for.
- Nation
- England
- Pricing region
- London
- Postcode areas
- W, E, SW, SE
- Main towns
- London, Brent, Islington, City of Westminster, Bexley
What do communal kitchen refits in Greater London involve?
- Durable worktops and flooring
- Extra sink, hob and oven where the numbers need it
- Electrics, sockets and lighting
- Kitchen designed to your council’s amenity standards
- Extraction to outside
- Heat detector and fire blanket
Which rules apply in Greater London?
- 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.
- The Fire Safety Order 2005 applies to the common parts of HMOs, enforced by the fire and rescue authority.
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 do communal kitchen refits cost in Greater London?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £10,250 – £23,050 | kitchen |
| Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides) | £800 – £2,000 | £1,000 – £2,550 | house |
Typical time on site: 1–2 weeks. For a figure for your house, try the guide-price tool.
Communal kitchen refits by town in Greater London
- London
- Brent
- Islington
- City of Westminster
- Bexley
- Barking
- Archway
- Sutton
- Croydon
- Ilford
- Enfield Town
- Harrow
- Tottenham
- Walthamstow
- Dagenham
- Becontree
- Romford
- Hayes
- Wembley
- Fulham
- Edmonton
- Southall
- Putney
- Battersea
- Canary Wharf
- Purley
- Peckham
- Chingford
- Uxbridge
- Wimbledon
- Stamford Hill
- Brixton
- Hounslow
- Finchley
- Cricklewood
- Mitcham
- Feltham
- Acton
- Beckenham
- Chelsea
- Streatham
- South Croydon
- Leytonstone
- Eltham
- Morden
- Carshalton
- Catford
- Willesden
- Canning Town
- Holloway
- Welling
- Shepherds Bush
- Surbiton
- Greenford
- Heston
- Stratford
- Chiswick
- Thamesmead
- Ruislip
- Greenwich
- Barnet
- Kilburn
- Wood Green
- Muswell Hill
- Bow
- Highbury
- Camden Town
- Northolt
- Coulsdon
- Hornchurch
- Blackheath
- Isleworth
- Chalk Farm
- New Malden
- Hanworth
- Woodford Green
- Hadley Wood
- Richmond
- Barnes
- Notting Hill
- Wallington
- Pimlico
- Hampton
Questions about communal kitchen refits in Greater London
Do HMO kitchens need a heat detector?
Kitchens normally have a heat detector rather than a smoke detector, linked to the house alarm. The exact system follows the fire risk assessment.
How long does a kitchen refit take?
Usually one to two weeks, longer if walls move or the kitchen relocates.
Do you carry out communal kitchen refits 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.
Other HMO services in Greater London
- Shared bathroom and shower room refits in Greater London
- Student HMO refurbishment in Greater London
- Full HMO refurbishment in Greater London
- Fire alarm and detection systems in Greater London
- Layout changes and room reconfiguration in Greater London
- House to HMO conversion in Greater London
- HMO fire safety upgrades in Greater London
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Greater London