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. Landlords in Hove (BN2 and BN3) usually come to us with a council letter, a fire risk assessment or a house they have just bought. We price from whichever you have.
- Area
- East Sussex, England
- Postcodes
- BN2 and BN3
- Location
- 1 miles west of Brighton
- Council
- Brighton & Hove City Council
- Pricing region
- South East
What does student HMO refurbishment in Hove involve?
- Robust flooring and wipe-clean paint
- Broadband and electrics upgrades
- Fire safety checks and upgrades
- Study space and sockets in every room
- Photo handover before move-in
Which rules apply in Hove?
Here is what usually applies to a Hove job of this kind. It is general information rather than legal advice, and the council’s written HMO standards have the final detail.
- 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.
Brighton & Hove City Council: local HMO schemes
| Article 4 (HMO) | In force across the council area City-wide C3-C4 Article 4 Direction confirmed Jan 2020 and in force June 2020 (replaced the 2013 five-ward direction). |
|---|---|
| Additional licensing | In force across the council area Additional licensing across all 23 wards 1 Jul 2024-30 Jun 2029. |
| Selective licensing | In force in part of the council area Kemptown, Moulsecoomb & Bevendean, Queen's Park, Whitehawk & Marina 2 Sep 2024-1 Sep 2029. Central Hove & Regency designation (made 6 Jul 2026, due 20 Oct 2026) is paused pending a legal challenge. |
Schemes change. Check the council’s current pages for the exact address in Hove before you buy or start work. Source: Brighton & Hove City Council HMO licensing page, checked 2026-10-31.
How much does student HMO refurbishment cost in Hove?
| 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 | £4,500 – £10,100 | letting room |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £8,950 – £20,150 | kitchen |
| Shared bathroom refit | £5,500 – £9,000 | £6,150 – £10,100 | bathroom |
| Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides) | £800 – £2,000 | £900 – £2,250 | house |
| Full rewire, 4–5 bedroom house | £6,000 – £12,000 | £6,700 – £13,450 | house |
Use these as a starting point for budgeting. Access, condition and the council’s requirements in Hove can move the figure either way, which is why we quote after seeing the house.
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 Hove landlords need it?
We usually get the call when:
- Houses let to students on yearly tenancies
- The summer gap between tenancies
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in Hove
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.
Which postcodes in Hove do you work in?
All of them, including BN2 and BN3, and the surrounding parts of East Sussex.
Which council covers HMOs in Hove?
Hove is covered by Brighton & Hove 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 Hove?
Our guide ranges for South East 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 Hove
- Brighton · 1 mi
- Portslade · 2 mi
- Rottingdean · 5 mi
- Burgess Hill · 9 mi
- Worthing · 9 mi
- Haywards Heath · 12 mi
- All of East Sussex