Student HMO refurbishment across Greater Manchester

In short: 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 Greater Manchester we survey first, price each item separately and hand over the certificates and photos a council asks for.

Nation: England
Pricing region: North West
Postcode areas: M, OL, BL, SK
Main towns: Manchester, Oldham, Wigan, Bolton, Stockport

What does student HMO refurbishment in Greater Manchester involve?

Robust flooring and wipe-clean paint
Summer works programme agreed in spring
Photo handover before move-in
Study space and sockets in every room
Hard-wearing kitchens and worktops
Fire safety checks and upgrades

Which rules apply in Greater Manchester?

Under the Renters’ Rights Act, civil penalties reach £40,000 for offences such as running an unlicensed HMO.
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.
Licences last up to 5 years and carry conditions on gas and electrical safety, alarms, room sizes and waste.

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 Greater Manchester?

Regional adjustment for North West. Planning budgets: see our prices page.
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	£3,850 – £8,650	letting room
Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges)	£8,000 – £18,000	£7,700 – £17,300	kitchen
Shared bathroom refit	£5,500 – £9,000	£5,300 – £8,650	bathroom
Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides)	£800 – £2,000	£770 – £1,900	house
Full rewire, 4–5 bedroom house	£6,000 – £12,000	£5,750 – £11,500	house

Typical time on site: 2–8 weeks over summer. For a figure for your house, try the guide-price tool.

Student HMO refurbishment by town in Greater Manchester

Questions about student HMO refurbishment in Greater Manchester

Do student HMOs need a licence?

The same licensing rules apply as for any HMO. Many university towns also run additional licensing schemes, so we check the address.

What finishes last best in student houses?

Commercial-grade vinyl or laminate, quartz-effect laminate worktops, wipe-clean paint and good extraction to keep condensation down.

Do you carry out student HMO refurbishment across Greater Manchester?

Yes, across the whole of Greater Manchester, including Manchester, Oldham, Wigan.

Who licenses HMOs in Greater Manchester?

HMOs in Greater Manchester are licensed by the local council for the address. Where an area has several councils, each runs its own licensing and planning policies.