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. Across City of Edinburgh, the work is planned around Scotland’s HMO rules and the standards the local council publishes.
- Nation
- Scotland
- Pricing region
- Scotland
- Postcode areas
- EH
- Main towns
- Edinburgh
What does student HMO refurbishment in City of Edinburgh involve?
- Broadband and electrics upgrades
- Robust flooring and wipe-clean paint
- Hard-wearing kitchens and worktops
- Extra bathroom or ensuites
- Summer works programme agreed in spring
- Photo handover before move-in
Which rules apply in City of Edinburgh?
- 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.
How much does student HMO refurbishment cost in City of Edinburgh?
| 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 City of Edinburgh
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in City of Edinburgh
When should I book a summer student refurbishment?
By spring if you can. The window between tenancies is short and contractors in university towns book up quickly.
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 you carry out student HMO refurbishment across City of Edinburgh?
Yes, across the whole of City of Edinburgh, including Edinburgh.
Who licenses HMOs in City of Edinburgh?
City of Edinburgh council licenses HMOs in its area. Every HMO in Scotland needs a licence.
Other HMO services in City of Edinburgh
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in City of Edinburgh
- Communal kitchen refits in City of Edinburgh
- Ensuite installation in City of Edinburgh
- HMO fire safety upgrades in City of Edinburgh
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in City of Edinburgh
- Full HMO refurbishment in City of Edinburgh
- Fire doors in City of Edinburgh
- Layout changes and room reconfiguration in City of Edinburgh