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 Exmouth, a town of about 36,000 people in Devon, the work is planned around the HMO rules for England and the council’s written HMO standards.
- Area
- Devon, England
- Postcodes
- EX6 and EX8
- Location
- 9 miles south-east of Exeter
- Pricing region
- South West
What does student HMO refurbishment in Exmouth involve?
- Summer works programme agreed in spring
- Extra bathroom or ensuites
- Hard-wearing kitchens and worktops
- Fire safety checks and upgrades
- Robust flooring and wipe-clean paint
Which rules apply in Exmouth?
Student HMO refurbishment in Exmouth 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:
- 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.
- 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 Exmouth?
| 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 Exmouth 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?
Typical time on site: 2–8 weeks over summer. We agree the programme with you before starting and send photo updates as the work progresses.
When do Exmouth landlords need it?
We usually get the call when:
- Houses let to students on yearly tenancies
- Houses that need to compete with purpose-built student blocks
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in Exmouth
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 Exmouth?
We cover the whole of Devon and work UK-wide. For Exmouth the nearest towns on our list are Heavitree (8 miles), Exeter (9 miles), Newton Abbot (11 miles).
Does a shared house in Exmouth 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 Exmouth?
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 Exmouth
- Heavitree · 8 mi
- Exeter · 9 mi
- Newton Abbot · 11 mi
- Torquay · 12 mi
- Paignton · 14 mi
- Tiverton · 20 mi
- All of Devon