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 Glasgow City 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
- Glasgow
What does student HMO refurbishment in Glasgow City involve?
- Robust flooring and wipe-clean paint
- Extra bathroom or ensuites
- Photo handover before move-in
- Study space and sockets in every room
- Hard-wearing kitchens and worktops
- Broadband and electrics upgrades
Which rules apply in Glasgow City?
- Landlords must also be on the Scottish landlord register, renewed every 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.
- Councils set HMO fire standards through licence conditions, often including emergency lighting in larger HMOs.
How much does student HMO refurbishment cost in Glasgow City?
| 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 Glasgow City
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in Glasgow City
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 Glasgow City?
Yes, across the whole of Glasgow City, including Glasgow.
Who licenses HMOs in Glasgow City?
Glasgow City council licenses HMOs in its area. Every HMO in Scotland needs a licence.
Other HMO services in Glasgow City
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in Glasgow City
- Communal kitchen refits in Glasgow City
- Ensuite installation in Glasgow City
- HMO fire safety upgrades in Glasgow City
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in Glasgow City
- Full HMO refurbishment in Glasgow City
- EPC and energy upgrades in Glasgow City
- Extensions for extra rooms in Glasgow City