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 Harlow, a town of around 95,000 people in Essex, the work is planned around the HMO rules for England and the council’s written HMO standards.
- Area
- Essex, England
- Postcodes
- CM17, CM18 and CM20
- Location
- 21 miles north-east of London
- Pricing region
- East of England
What does student HMO refurbishment in Harlow involve?
- Fire safety checks and upgrades
- Summer works programme agreed in spring
- Broadband and electrics upgrades
- Study space and sockets in every room
- Robust flooring and wipe-clean paint
Which rules apply in Harlow?
Student HMO refurbishment in Harlow 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.
- Council standards often step up at 5 and 6 sharers, for example a separate WC at 5 and a second bathroom from 6.
- 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 Harlow?
| 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 | £4,250 – £9,550 | letting room |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £8,500 – £19,100 | kitchen |
| Shared bathroom refit | £5,500 – £9,000 | £5,850 – £9,550 | bathroom |
| Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides) | £800 – £2,000 | £850 – £2,100 | house |
| Full rewire, 4–5 bedroom house | £6,000 – £12,000 | £6,350 – £12,700 | house |
Prices in Harlow are shown with our regional adjustment for East of England (above the UK average). Your quote is itemised and fixed in writing once the scope and specification are agreed.
How long does it take?
Most jobs of this kind take 2–8 weeks over summer. If a council deadline applies in Harlow, tell us at the first call so the programme is built around it.
When do Harlow landlords need it?
Landlords in Harlow most often ask us for this when:
- Houses let to students on yearly tenancies
- The summer gap between tenancies
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in Harlow
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.
Which postcodes in Harlow do you work in?
All of them, including CM17, CM18 and CM20, and the surrounding parts of Essex.
Does a shared house in Harlow 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 Harlow?
Our guide ranges for East of England 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 Harlow
- Hoddesdon · 5 mi
- Bishops Stortford · 7 mi
- Waltham Abbey · 8 mi
- Cheshunt · 8 mi
- Hertford · 8 mi
- Chingford · 11 mi
- All of Essex