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. Landlords in Catford (SE6 and SE23) usually come to us with a council letter, a fire risk assessment or a house they have just bought. We price from whichever you have.
- Area
- Greater London, England
- Postcodes
- SE6 and SE23
- Location
- 6 miles south-east of London
- Council
- London Borough of Lewisham
- Pricing region
- London
What does student HMO refurbishment in Catford involve?
- Extra bathroom or ensuites
- Fire safety checks and upgrades
- Hard-wearing kitchens and worktops
- Photo handover before move-in
- Summer works programme agreed in spring
Which rules apply in Catford?
Student HMO refurbishment in Catford 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.
- Fire precautions follow a risk assessment; the LACORS Housing – Fire Safety guide (2008) is guidance, not law, but many councils base their standards on it.
- 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 Lewisham: local HMO schemes
| Article 4 (HMO) | In force across the council area Direction for southern wards from 2020, extended to the rest of the borough from 2024. |
|---|---|
| Additional licensing | In force across the council area Borough-wide additional licensing 5 Apr 2022-4 Apr 2027. |
| Selective licensing | In force in part of the council area Selective licensing in 18 of 19 wards (excludes Telegraph Hill and parts of Blackheath) from 1 Jul 2024 to 30 Jun 2029. |
Schemes change. Check the council’s current pages for the exact address in Catford before you buy or start work. Source: London Borough of Lewisham HMO licensing page, checked 2026-10-31.
How much does student HMO refurbishment cost in Catford?
| 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 Catford 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 Catford landlords need it?
Landlords in Catford most often ask us for this when:
- The summer gap between tenancies
- Houses let to students on yearly tenancies
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in Catford
Can you work around a 1 July or 1 September start?
Yes. We agree a programme backwards from the move-in date and tell you early if anything is at risk.
How far do you travel from Catford?
We cover the whole of Greater London and work UK-wide. For Catford the nearest towns on our list are Blackheath (2 miles), Greenwich (2 miles), Beckenham (3 miles).
Which council covers HMOs in Catford?
Catford is covered by London Borough of Lewisham. 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 Catford?
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 Catford
- Blackheath · 2 mi
- Greenwich · 2 mi
- Beckenham · 3 mi
- Peckham · 3 mi
- Eltham · 3 mi
- Brixton · 4 mi
- All of Greater London