In short: 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. We carry this out across East Ayrshire, priced against the HMO rules for Scotland and the council’s own standards.
- Nation
- Scotland
- Pricing region
- Scotland
- Postcode areas
- KA, DG
- Main towns
- Kilmarnock
What does student HMO refurbishment in East Ayrshire involve?
- Photo handover before move-in
- Study space and sockets in every room
- Robust flooring and wipe-clean paint
- Broadband and electrics upgrades
- Fire safety checks and upgrades
- Extra bathroom or ensuites
Which rules apply in East Ayrshire?
- Every HMO needs a council licence: 3 or more people who are not all from one or two families, sharing basic amenities. Licences last up to 3 years.
- Kitchen, WC and bathroom ratios come from council standards; one WC and one bath or shower per 5 people is a common figure.
- The tolerable standard requires interlinked smoke alarms in the main living room and circulation spaces and a heat alarm in the kitchen; licensed HMOs must meet the council’s higher standard.
- An EICR before the first let and at least every 5 years, with C1 and C2 items fixed, PAT testing of supplied appliances and RCD protection.
- Landlords must also be on the Scottish landlord register, renewed every 3 years.
Scottish councils set their own HMO licence standards and planning policies. Every HMO needs a licence, so check the council’s standards before you design the layout.
How much does student HMO refurbishment cost in East Ayrshire?
| 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 | £3,800 – £8,550 | letting room |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £7,600 – £17,100 | kitchen |
| Shared bathroom refit | £5,500 – £9,000 | £5,200 – £8,550 | bathroom |
| Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides) | £800 – £2,000 | £760 – £1,900 | house |
| Full rewire, 4–5 bedroom house | £6,000 – £12,000 | £5,700 – £11,400 | 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 East Ayrshire
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in East Ayrshire
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.
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 carry out student HMO refurbishment across East Ayrshire?
Yes, across the whole of East Ayrshire, including Kilmarnock.
Who licenses HMOs in East Ayrshire?
East Ayrshire council licenses HMOs in its area. Every HMO in Scotland needs a licence.
Other HMO services in East Ayrshire
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in East Ayrshire
- Communal kitchen refits in East Ayrshire
- Ensuite installation in East Ayrshire
- HMO fire safety upgrades in East Ayrshire
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in East Ayrshire
- Full HMO refurbishment in East Ayrshire
- Loft conversions for extra rooms in East Ayrshire
- Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in East Ayrshire