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 Southall 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
- UB1, UB2, UB6 and UB18
- Location
- 11 miles west of London
- Council
- London Borough of Ealing
- Pricing region
- London
What does student HMO refurbishment in Southall involve?
- Photo handover before move-in
- Broadband and electrics upgrades
- Hard-wearing kitchens and worktops
- Robust flooring and wipe-clean paint
- Extra bathroom or ensuites
Which rules apply in Southall?
Student HMO refurbishment in Southall 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.
- Council standards often step up at 5 and 6 sharers, for example a separate WC at 5 and a second bathroom from 6.
- The Fire Safety Order 2005 applies to the common parts of HMOs, enforced by the fire and rescue authority.
- BS 7671, the wiring standard, calls for arc fault detection devices in HMOs on new socket circuits, such as rewires and consumer unit changes.
London Borough of Ealing: local HMO schemes
| Article 4 (HMO) | In force across the council area Immediate direction for Perivale from 30 Oct 2024 and non-immediate direction for the rest of the borough from 2025. |
|---|---|
| Additional licensing | In force across the council area Borough-wide additional licensing 1 Apr 2022-31 Mar 2027; renewal consulted 15 Jul-24 Sep 2026. |
| Selective licensing | In force in part of the council area Two designations covering most wards: 1 Apr 2022-31 Mar 2027 (e.g. Southall, East/North Acton) and 3 Jan 2023-2 Jan 2028 (e.g. Greenford, Northolt, Perivale, Ealing Common). |
Schemes change. Check the council’s current pages for the exact address in Southall before you buy or start work. Source: London Borough of Ealing HMO licensing page, checked 2026-10-31.
How much does student HMO refurbishment cost in Southall?
| 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 Southall can move the figure either way, which is why we quote after seeing the house.
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 Southall landlords need it?
We usually get the call when:
- The summer gap between tenancies
- Houses that need to compete with purpose-built student blocks
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in Southall
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 Southall do you work in?
All of them, including UB1, UB2, UB6 and UB18, and the surrounding parts of Greater London.
Which council covers HMOs in Southall?
Southall is covered by London Borough of Ealing. 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 Southall?
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 Southall
- Greenford · 2 mi
- Heston · 2 mi
- Hayes · 2 mi
- Isleworth · 3 mi
- Northolt · 3 mi
- Hounslow · 3 mi
- All of Greater London
Other HMO services in Southall
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in Southall
- Communal kitchen refits in Southall
- Ensuite installation in Southall
- HMO fire safety upgrades in Southall
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in Southall
- Full HMO refurbishment in Southall
- Professional and co-living HMO refurbs in Southall
- Extensions for extra rooms in Southall