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. We carry this out across Highland, priced against the HMO rules for Scotland and the council’s own standards.
- Nation
- Scotland
- Pricing region
- Scotland
- Postcode areas
- IV, PH, KW, PA
- Main towns
- Inverness, Fort William
What does student HMO refurbishment in Highland involve?
- Study space and sockets in every room
- Broadband and electrics upgrades
- Summer works programme agreed in spring
- Robust flooring and wipe-clean paint
- Extra bathroom or ensuites
- Photo handover before move-in
Which rules apply in Highland?
- Landlords must also be on the Scottish landlord register, renewed every 3 years.
- Kitchen, WC and bathroom ratios come from council standards; one WC and one bath or shower per 5 people is a common figure.
- The tolerable standard requires interlinked smoke alarms in the main living room and circulation spaces and a heat alarm in the kitchen; licensed HMOs must meet the council’s higher standard.
- An EICR before the first let and at least every 5 years, with C1 and C2 items fixed, PAT testing of supplied appliances and RCD protection.
- Councils set HMO fire standards through licence conditions, often including emergency lighting in larger HMOs.
Scottish councils set their own HMO licence standards and planning policies. Every HMO needs a licence, so check the council’s standards before you design the layout.
How much does student HMO refurbishment cost in Highland?
| 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 | £3,800 – £8,550 | letting room |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £7,600 – £17,100 | kitchen |
| Shared bathroom refit | £5,500 – £9,000 | £5,200 – £8,550 | bathroom |
| Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides) | £800 – £2,000 | £760 – £1,900 | house |
| Full rewire, 4–5 bedroom house | £6,000 – £12,000 | £5,700 – £11,400 | 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 Highland
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in Highland
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.
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 Highland?
Yes, across the whole of Highland, including Inverness, Fort William.
Who licenses HMOs in Highland?
Highland council licenses HMOs in its area. Every HMO in Scotland needs a licence.
Other HMO services in Highland
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in Highland
- Communal kitchen refits in Highland
- Ensuite installation in Highland
- HMO fire safety upgrades in Highland
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in Highland
- Full HMO refurbishment in Highland
- Rewires and EICR remedials in Highland
- Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in Highland