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. For a house in Plymouth we start with a measured survey, check the council’s written HMO standards for the number of sharers, and then price each item separately. With students as well as working sharers renting in Plymouth, we plan bigger jobs for the gap between academic-year tenancies where we can.
- Area
- Devon, England
- Postcodes
- PL1, PL2, PL3 and PL4
- Council
- Plymouth City Council
- Pricing region
- South West
What does student HMO refurbishment in Plymouth involve?
- Photo handover before move-in
- Hard-wearing kitchens and worktops
- Summer works programme agreed in spring
- Study space and sockets in every room
- Broadband and electrics upgrades
Which rules apply in Plymouth?
Here is what usually applies to a Plymouth job of this kind. It is general information rather than legal advice, and the council’s written HMO standards have the final detail.
- Mandatory HMO licence for 5 or more people in 2 or more households (since October 2018); councils can add additional licensing for smaller HMOs.
- National rules ask for an adequate number of bathrooms, WCs and basins and suitably located kitchens; numeric ratios are set by each council.
- Smoke alarms on every storey with living accommodation and CO alarms by fixed combustion appliances (other than gas cookers) are required by law.
- 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.
Plymouth City Council: local HMO schemes
| Article 4 (HMO) | In force in part of the council area Article 4 Direction covering 11 neighbourhoods (incl. Mutley & Greenbank, City Centre, Stoke & Stonehouse, Lipson & Laira, Peverell) in force 14 Sep 2012. |
|---|---|
| Additional licensing | No scheme found |
| Selective licensing | No scheme found |
Schemes change. Check the council’s current pages for the exact address in Plymouth before you buy or start work. Source: Plymouth City Council HMO licensing page, checked 2026-10-31.
How much does student HMO refurbishment cost in Plymouth?
| 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 Plymouth 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.
If the house is let to students, we work backwards from the next tenancy start date in Plymouth.
When do Plymouth landlords need it?
Typical reasons for this work in Plymouth:
- Houses that need to compete with purpose-built student blocks
- Houses let to students on yearly tenancies
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in Plymouth
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.
Do you cover all of Plymouth?
Yes. We work across Plymouth and the PL1, PL2, PL3 and PL4 postcode areas, plus the rest of Devon. Nearby places we also cover include Plymstock, Paignton, Newton Abbot.
Which council covers HMOs in Plymouth?
Plymouth is covered by Plymouth City Council. We read the council’s written HMO standards before pricing, and you should check the licence position for the exact address.
How much does student HMO refurbishment cost in Plymouth?
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 Plymouth
- Plymstock · 2 mi
- Paignton · 26 mi
- Newton Abbot · 26 mi
- St Austell · 28 mi
- Torquay · 28 mi
- Exeter · 36 mi
- All of Devon
Other HMO services in Plymouth
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in Plymouth
- Communal kitchen refits in Plymouth
- Ensuite installation in Plymouth
- HMO fire safety upgrades in Plymouth
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in Plymouth
- Full HMO refurbishment in Plymouth
- Shared bathroom and shower room refits in Plymouth
- Extensions for extra rooms in Plymouth