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 Barnstaple (EX31 and EX32) 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
- Devon, England
- Postcodes
- EX31 and EX32
- Location
- 34 miles north-west of Exeter
- Pricing region
- South West
What does student HMO refurbishment in Barnstaple involve?
- Study space and sockets in every room
- Extra bathroom or ensuites
- Summer works programme agreed in spring
- Fire safety checks and upgrades
- Broadband and electrics upgrades
Which rules apply in Barnstaple?
Student HMO refurbishment in Barnstaple 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:
- Under the Renters’ Rights Act, civil penalties reach £40,000 for offences such as running an unlicensed HMO.
- 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 Barnstaple?
| 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 |
These are typical ranges including VAT, adjusted for South West, where costs run above the UK average. The fixed price for a house in Barnstaple follows a site visit.
How long does it take?
Most jobs of this kind take 2–8 weeks over summer. If a council deadline applies in Barnstaple, tell us at the first call so the programme is built around it.
When do Barnstaple landlords need it?
We usually get the call when:
- The summer gap between tenancies
- Houses that need to compete with purpose-built student blocks
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in Barnstaple
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 cover all of Barnstaple?
Yes. We work across Barnstaple and the EX31 and EX32 postcode areas, plus the rest of Devon. Nearby places we also cover include Bideford, Tiverton, Porthcawl.
Does a shared house in Barnstaple need an HMO licence?
In England, a mandatory licence is needed for 5 or more people from 2 or more households. Smaller HMOs can need a licence where the council runs additional licensing, which is common in towns with many shared houses. Check the council’s website for the address.
How much does student HMO refurbishment cost in Barnstaple?
Our guide ranges for South West 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 Barnstaple
- Bideford · 8 mi
- Tiverton · 28 mi
- Porthcawl · 32 mi
- Llantwit Major · 34 mi
- Exeter · 34 mi
- Pyle · 34 mi
- All of Devon
Other HMO services in Barnstaple
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in Barnstaple
- Communal kitchen refits in Barnstaple
- Ensuite installation in Barnstaple
- HMO fire safety upgrades in Barnstaple
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in Barnstaple
- Full HMO refurbishment in Barnstaple
- Commercial and above-shop to HMO in Barnstaple
- Licence condition and schedule-of-works in Barnstaple