- Nation
- England
- Pricing region
- South West
- Postcode areas
- EX, TQ, PL, DT
- Main towns
- Plymouth, Exeter, Paignton, Torquay, Newton Abbot
What does student HMO refurbishment in Devon involve?
- Photo handover before move-in
- Summer works programme agreed in spring
- Broadband and electrics upgrades
- Study space and sockets in every room
- Robust flooring and wipe-clean paint
- Fire safety checks and upgrades
Which rules apply in Devon?
- Licences last up to 5 years and carry conditions on gas and electrical safety, alarms, room sizes and waste.
- National rules ask for an adequate number of bathrooms, WCs and basins and suitably located kitchens; numeric ratios are set by each council.
- 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.
- BS 7671, the wiring standard, calls for arc fault detection devices in HMOs on new socket circuits, such as rewires and consumer unit changes.
- Under the Renters’ Rights Act, civil penalties reach £40,000 for offences such as running an unlicensed HMO.
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 Devon?
| 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 | £4,150 – £9,350 | letting room |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £8,300 – £18,700 | kitchen |
| Shared bathroom refit | £5,500 – £9,000 | £5,700 – £9,350 | bathroom |
| Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides) | £800 – £2,000 | £830 – £2,100 | house |
| Full rewire, 4–5 bedroom house | £6,000 – £12,000 | £6,250 – £12,500 | 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 Devon
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in Devon
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 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 Devon?
Yes, across the whole of Devon, including Plymouth, Exeter, Paignton.
Who licenses HMOs in Devon?
HMOs in Devon are licensed by the local council for the address. Where an area has several councils, each runs its own licensing and planning policies.