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 Salford (M5, M6, M17 and M50) 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. With students as well as working sharers renting in Salford, we plan bigger jobs for the gap between academic-year tenancies where we can.
- Area
- Greater Manchester, England
- Postcodes
- M5, M6, M17 and M50
- Location
- 2 miles west of Manchester
- Council
- Salford City Council
- Pricing region
- North West
What does student HMO refurbishment in Salford involve?
- Fire safety checks and upgrades
- Photo handover before move-in
- Robust flooring and wipe-clean paint
- Broadband and electrics upgrades
- Summer works programme agreed in spring
Which rules apply in Salford?
Here is what usually applies to a Salford job of this kind. It is general information rather than legal advice, and the council’s written HMO standards have the final detail.
- 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.
- 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.
Salford City Council: local HMO schemes
| Article 4 (HMO) | In force in part of the council area Article 4 covers the whole city except Boothstown & Ellenbrook, Cadishead & Lower Irlam and Higher Irlam & Peel Green wards, from 17 Nov 2024 (earlier areas from 2018). |
|---|---|
| Additional licensing | New scheme from 24 Nov 2026 The small-HMO scheme ended on 19 Jul 2026. A new city-wide scheme for converted blocks of flats (section 257 HMOs) only runs from 24 Nov 2026 to 24 Nov 2031. |
| Selective licensing | In force in part of the council area Two schemes: Eccles/Barton/Winton areas 1 Sep 2022-31 Aug 2027; Broughton, Kersal & Broughton Park 21 Jan 2026-20 Jan 2031. |
Schemes change. Check the council’s current pages for the exact address in Salford before you buy or start work. Source: Salford City Council HMO licensing page, checked 2026-10-31.
How much does student HMO refurbishment cost in Salford?
| 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 |
Prices in Salford are shown with our regional adjustment for North West (below 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.
For student houses in Salford, booking by spring is the safest way to make the summer gap.
When do Salford landlords need it?
Typical reasons for this work in Salford:
- The summer gap between tenancies
- Houses that need to compete with purpose-built student blocks
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in Salford
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.
Which postcodes in Salford do you work in?
All of them, including M5, M6, M17 and M50, and the surrounding parts of Greater Manchester.
Which council covers HMOs in Salford?
Salford is covered by Salford City Council. 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 Salford?
Our guide ranges for North West 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 Salford
- Eccles · 2 mi
- Old Trafford · 2 mi
- Manchester · 2 mi
- Swinton · 3 mi
- Stretford · 3 mi
- Prestwich · 3 mi
- All of Greater Manchester