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 Blackheath, a town of about 25,000 people in Greater London, the work is planned around the HMO rules for England and the council’s written HMO standards.
- Area
- Greater London, England
- Postcodes
- SE3 and SE13
- Location
- 6 miles south-east of London
- Pricing region
- London
What does student HMO refurbishment in Blackheath involve?
- Photo handover before move-in
- Robust flooring and wipe-clean paint
- Extra bathroom or ensuites
- Summer works programme agreed in spring
- Study space and sockets in every room
Which rules apply in Blackheath?
Student HMO refurbishment in Blackheath 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.
- Smoke alarms on every storey with living accommodation and CO alarms by fixed combustion appliances (other than gas cookers) are required by law.
- BS 7671, the wiring standard, calls for arc fault detection devices in HMOs on new socket circuits, such as rewires and consumer unit changes.
How much does student HMO refurbishment cost in Blackheath?
| 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 | £5,100 – £11,500 | letting room |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £10,250 – £23,050 | kitchen |
| Shared bathroom refit | £5,500 – £9,000 | £7,050 – £11,500 | bathroom |
| Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides) | £800 – £2,000 | £1,000 – £2,550 | house |
| Full rewire, 4–5 bedroom house | £6,000 – £12,000 | £7,700 – £15,350 | house |
Use these as a starting point for budgeting. Access, condition and the council’s requirements in Blackheath can move the figure either way, which is why we quote after seeing the house.
How long does it take?
Typical time on site: 2–8 weeks over summer. We agree the programme with you before starting and send photo updates as the work progresses.
When do Blackheath landlords need it?
We usually get the call when:
- Houses that need to compete with purpose-built student blocks
- The summer gap between tenancies
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in Blackheath
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 cover all of Blackheath?
Yes. We work across Blackheath and the SE3 and SE13 postcode areas, plus the rest of Greater London. Nearby places we also cover include Greenwich, Catford, Eltham.
Does a shared house in Blackheath 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 Blackheath?
Our guide ranges for London 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 Blackheath
- Greenwich · 1 mi
- Catford · 2 mi
- Eltham · 2 mi
- Canary Wharf · 3 mi
- Peckham · 3 mi
- Canning Town · 3 mi
- All of Greater London
Other HMO services in Blackheath
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in Blackheath
- Communal kitchen refits in Blackheath
- Ensuite installation in Blackheath
- HMO fire safety upgrades in Blackheath
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in Blackheath
- Full HMO refurbishment in Blackheath
- Sound insulation in Blackheath
- House to HMO conversion in Blackheath