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. In East Renfrewshire we survey first, price each item separately and hand over the certificates and photos a council asks for.
- Nation
- Scotland
- Pricing region
- Scotland
- Postcode areas
- G
- Main towns
- Newton Mearns, Barrhead, Giffnock
What does student HMO refurbishment in East Renfrewshire involve?
- Summer works programme agreed in spring
- Robust flooring and wipe-clean paint
- Study space and sockets in every room
- Fire safety checks and upgrades
- Extra bathroom or ensuites
- Broadband and electrics upgrades
Which rules apply in East Renfrewshire?
- 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.
- Councils set HMO fire standards through licence conditions, often including emergency lighting in larger HMOs.
- 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 Renfrewshire?
| 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 Renfrewshire
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in East Renfrewshire
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.
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.
Do you carry out student HMO refurbishment across East Renfrewshire?
Yes, across the whole of East Renfrewshire, including Newton Mearns, Barrhead, Giffnock.
Who licenses HMOs in East Renfrewshire?
East Renfrewshire council licenses HMOs in its area. Every HMO in Scotland needs a licence.
Other HMO services in East Renfrewshire
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in East Renfrewshire
- Communal kitchen refits in East Renfrewshire
- Ensuite installation in East Renfrewshire
- HMO fire safety upgrades in East Renfrewshire
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in East Renfrewshire
- Full HMO refurbishment in East Renfrewshire
- Shared bathroom and shower room refits in East Renfrewshire
- Layout changes and room reconfiguration in East Renfrewshire