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 Bideford, a town of about 29,000 people in Devon, the work is planned around the HMO rules for England and the council’s written HMO standards.
- Area
- Devon, England
- Postcodes
- EX39
- Location
- 36 miles north-west of Exeter
- Pricing region
- South West
What does student HMO refurbishment in Bideford involve?
- Hard-wearing kitchens and worktops
- Broadband and electrics upgrades
- Photo handover before move-in
- Summer works programme agreed in spring
- Study space and sockets in every room
Which rules apply in Bideford?
Student HMO refurbishment in Bideford 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.
- 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.
- 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 Bideford?
| 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 |
Prices in Bideford are shown with our regional adjustment for South West (above the UK average). Your quote is itemised and fixed in writing once the scope and specification are agreed.
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 Bideford landlords need it?
Landlords in Bideford most often ask us for this when:
- Houses that need to compete with purpose-built student blocks
- Houses let to students on yearly tenancies
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in Bideford
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.
How far do you travel from Bideford?
We cover the whole of Devon and work UK-wide. For Bideford the nearest towns on our list are Barnstaple (8 miles), Tiverton (32 miles), Exeter (36 miles).
Where do I check the HMO rules for an address in Bideford?
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 Bideford?
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 Bideford
- Barnstaple · 8 mi
- Tiverton · 32 mi
- Exeter · 36 mi
- Heavitree · 37 mi
- Porthcawl · 39 mi
- Pyle · 41 mi
- All of Devon
Other HMO services in Bideford
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in Bideford
- Communal kitchen refits in Bideford
- Ensuite installation in Bideford
- HMO fire safety upgrades in Bideford
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in Bideford
- Full HMO refurbishment in Bideford
- Commercial and above-shop to HMO in Bideford
- Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Bideford