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 City of Westminster 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
- SW1 and W2
- Location
- 1 miles south-west of London
- Pricing region
- London
What does student HMO refurbishment in City of Westminster involve?
- Fire safety checks and upgrades
- Photo handover before move-in
- Broadband and electrics upgrades
- Extra bathroom or ensuites
- Robust flooring and wipe-clean paint
Which rules apply in City of Westminster?
Student HMO refurbishment in City of Westminster 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.
- The Fire Safety Order 2005 applies to the common parts of HMOs, enforced by the fire and rescue authority.
- 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.
How much does student HMO refurbishment cost in City of Westminster?
| 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 City of Westminster 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 City of Westminster landlords need it?
Typical reasons for this work in City of Westminster:
- Houses that need to compete with purpose-built student blocks
- The summer gap between tenancies
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in City of Westminster
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 City of Westminster do you work in?
All of them, including SW1 and W2, and the surrounding parts of Greater London.
Where do I check the HMO rules for an address in City of Westminster?
With the local council for the address. Councils in England can add additional licensing and Article 4 directions on top of the national rules. Check the council’s website for the exact address before you buy or start work.
How much does student HMO refurbishment cost in City of Westminster?
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 City of Westminster
- Pimlico · 1 mi
- London · 1 mi
- Chelsea · 2 mi
- Battersea · 2 mi
- Brixton · 3 mi
- Fulham · 3 mi
- All of Greater London
Other HMO services in City of Westminster
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in City of Westminster
- Communal kitchen refits in City of Westminster
- Ensuite installation in City of Westminster
- HMO fire safety upgrades in City of Westminster
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in City of Westminster
- Full HMO refurbishment in City of Westminster
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in City of Westminster
- House to HMO conversion in City of Westminster