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. Landlords in March (PE15) 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.
- Area
- Cambridgeshire, England
- Postcodes
- PE15
- Location
- 14 miles east of Peterborough
- Pricing region
- East of England
What does student HMO refurbishment in March involve?
- Fire safety checks and upgrades
- Extra bathroom or ensuites
- Summer works programme agreed in spring
- Study space and sockets in every room
- Hard-wearing kitchens and worktops
Which rules apply in March?
Student HMO refurbishment in March must satisfy national law for England, the council’s written HMO standards and, where walls, drainage or fire separation change, the building rules. In short:
- Mandatory HMO licence for 5 or more people in 2 or more households (since October 2018); councils can add additional licensing for smaller HMOs.
- Council standards often step up at 5 and 6 sharers, for example a separate WC at 5 and a second bathroom from 6.
- The Fire Safety Order 2005 applies to the common parts of HMOs, enforced by the fire and rescue authority.
- 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.
How much does student HMO refurbishment cost in March?
| 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 | £4,250 – £9,550 | letting room |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £8,500 – £19,100 | kitchen |
| Shared bathroom refit | £5,500 – £9,000 | £5,850 – £9,550 | bathroom |
| Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides) | £800 – £2,000 | £850 – £2,100 | house |
| Full rewire, 4–5 bedroom house | £6,000 – £12,000 | £6,350 – £12,700 | house |
These are typical ranges including VAT, adjusted for East of England, where costs run above the UK average. The fixed price for a house in March follows a site visit.
How long does it take?
Allow 2–8 weeks over summer on site for a typical job. Drawings, approvals and long-lead items such as kitchens or fire door sets are booked before we start.
When do March landlords need it?
Landlords in March most often ask us for this when:
- The summer gap between tenancies
- Houses let to students on yearly tenancies
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in March
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.
Which postcodes in March do you work in?
All of them, including PE15, and the surrounding parts of Cambridgeshire.
Where do I check the HMO rules for an address in March?
With the local council for the address. 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 does student HMO refurbishment cost in March?
Our guide ranges for East of England 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.
Student HMO refurbishment near March
- Wisbech · 8 mi
- Ely · 13 mi
- Peterborough · 14 mi
- King's Lynn · 19 mi
- Spalding · 19 mi
- Huntingdon · 19 mi
- All of Cambridgeshire