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. For a house in Brent we start with a measured survey, check the council’s written HMO standards for the number of sharers, and then price each item separately.
- Area
- Greater London, England
- Postcodes
- HA0 and HA9
- Location
- 8 miles west of London
- Council
- London Borough of Brent
- Pricing region
- London
What does student HMO refurbishment in Brent involve?
- Summer works programme agreed in spring
- Robust flooring and wipe-clean paint
- Photo handover before move-in
- Hard-wearing kitchens and worktops
- Extra bathroom or ensuites
Which rules apply in Brent?
Student HMO refurbishment in Brent 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:
- Mandatory HMO licence for 5 or more people in 2 or more households (since October 2018); councils can add additional licensing for smaller HMOs.
- National rules ask for an adequate number of bathrooms, WCs and basins and suitably located kitchens; numeric ratios are set by each council.
- Smoke alarms on every storey with living accommodation and CO alarms by fixed combustion appliances (other than gas cookers) are required by law.
- 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.
London Borough of Brent: local HMO schemes
| Article 4 (HMO) | In force across the council area Borough-wide Article 4 Direction (C3 to C4) since 1 Nov 2022. |
|---|---|
| Additional licensing | In force across the council area Borough-wide additional licensing in force 2 Feb 2026 to 1 Feb 2031. |
| Selective licensing | In force in part of the council area All wards except Wembley Park: Dollis Hill, Harlesden & Kensal Green, Willesden Green 1 Aug 2023-31 Jul 2028; 18 further wards 1 Apr 2024-31 Mar 2029. |
Schemes change. Check the council’s current pages for the exact address in Brent before you buy or start work. Source: London Borough of Brent HMO licensing page, checked 2026-10-31.
How much does student HMO refurbishment cost in Brent?
| 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 |
Prices in Brent are shown with our regional adjustment for London (above the UK average). Your quote is itemised and fixed in writing once the scope and specification are agreed.
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 Brent landlords need it?
Landlords in Brent most often ask us for this when:
- Houses let to students on yearly tenancies
- Houses that need to compete with purpose-built student blocks
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in Brent
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 Brent do you work in?
All of them, including HA0 and HA9, and the surrounding parts of Greater London.
Which council covers HMOs in Brent?
Brent is covered by London Borough of Brent. 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 Brent?
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 Brent
- Wembley · 0 mi
- Harrow · 2 mi
- Greenford · 3 mi
- Northolt · 3 mi
- Acton · 3 mi
- Willesden · 3 mi
- All of Greater London