In short: A student HMO refurbishment upgrades a shared house let to students, using hard-wearing finishes and planned around the academic year so the work is finished before the next tenancy starts. In Aberdeen City 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
- AB
- Main towns
- Aberdeen
What does student HMO refurbishment in Aberdeen City involve?
- Photo handover before move-in
- Extra bathroom or ensuites
- Hard-wearing kitchens and worktops
- Robust flooring and wipe-clean paint
- Summer works programme agreed in spring
- Study space and sockets in every room
Which rules apply in Aberdeen City?
- 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.
- Landlords must also be on the Scottish landlord register, renewed every 3 years.
How much does student HMO refurbishment cost in Aberdeen City?
| 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: 2–8 weeks over summer. For a figure for your house, try the guide-price tool.
Student HMO refurbishment by town in Aberdeen City
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in Aberdeen City
Can you work around a 1 July or 1 September start?
Yes. We agree a programme backwards from the move-in date and tell you early if anything is at risk.
Do student HMOs need a licence?
The same licensing rules apply as for any HMO. Many university towns also run additional licensing schemes, so we check the address.
Do you carry out student HMO refurbishment across Aberdeen City?
Yes, across the whole of Aberdeen City, including Aberdeen.
Who licenses HMOs in Aberdeen City?
Aberdeen City council licenses HMOs in its area. Every HMO in Scotland needs a licence.
Other HMO services in Aberdeen City
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in Aberdeen City
- Communal kitchen refits in Aberdeen City
- Ensuite installation in Aberdeen City
- HMO fire safety upgrades in Aberdeen City
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in Aberdeen City
- Full HMO refurbishment in Aberdeen City
- Damp, mould and HHSRS repairs in Aberdeen City
- Fire alarm and detection systems in Aberdeen City