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 Falkirk, priced against the HMO rules for Scotland and the council’s own standards.
- Nation
- Scotland
- Pricing region
- Scotland
- Postcode areas
- FK, EH
- Main towns
- Falkirk, Grangemouth, Bo’ness
What does student HMO refurbishment in Falkirk involve?
- Extra bathroom or ensuites
- Fire safety checks and upgrades
- Summer works programme agreed in spring
- Broadband and electrics upgrades
- Photo handover before move-in
- Study space and sockets in every room
Which rules apply in Falkirk?
- 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 Falkirk?
| 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 Falkirk
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in Falkirk
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 Falkirk?
Yes, across the whole of Falkirk, including Falkirk, Grangemouth, Bo’ness.
Who licenses HMOs in Falkirk?
Falkirk council licenses HMOs in its area. Every HMO in Scotland needs a licence.
Other HMO services in Falkirk
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in Falkirk
- Communal kitchen refits in Falkirk
- Ensuite installation in Falkirk
- HMO fire safety upgrades in Falkirk
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in Falkirk
- Full HMO refurbishment in Falkirk
- Damp, mould and HHSRS repairs in Falkirk
- Fire alarm and detection systems in Falkirk