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 Argyll and Bute 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
- PA, G, FK
- Main towns
- Helensburgh
What does student HMO refurbishment in Argyll and Bute involve?
- Robust flooring and wipe-clean paint
- Extra bathroom or ensuites
- Hard-wearing kitchens and worktops
- Fire safety checks and upgrades
- Broadband and electrics upgrades
- Study space and sockets in every room
Which rules apply in Argyll and Bute?
- Landlords must also be on the Scottish landlord register, renewed every 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.
- Councils set HMO fire standards through licence conditions, often including emergency lighting in larger HMOs.
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 student HMO refurbishment cost in Argyll and Bute?
| 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 Argyll and Bute
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in Argyll and Bute
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.
What finishes last best in student houses?
Commercial-grade vinyl or laminate, quartz-effect laminate worktops, wipe-clean paint and good extraction to keep condensation down.
Do you carry out student HMO refurbishment across Argyll and Bute?
Yes, across the whole of Argyll and Bute, including Helensburgh.
Who licenses HMOs in Argyll and Bute?
Argyll and Bute council licenses HMOs in its area. Every HMO in Scotland needs a licence.
Other HMO services in Argyll and Bute
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in Argyll and Bute
- Communal kitchen refits in Argyll and Bute
- Ensuite installation in Argyll and Bute
- HMO fire safety upgrades in Argyll and Bute
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in Argyll and Bute
- Full HMO refurbishment in Argyll and Bute
- Sound insulation in Argyll and Bute
- Fire alarm and detection systems in Argyll and Bute