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 Blackburn 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
- Lancashire, England
- Postcodes
- BB1 and BB2
- Location
- 9 miles east of Preston
- Pricing region
- North West
What does student HMO refurbishment in Blackburn involve?
- Broadband and electrics upgrades
- Extra bathroom or ensuites
- Hard-wearing kitchens and worktops
- Summer works programme agreed in spring
- Photo handover before move-in
Which rules apply in Blackburn?
Student HMO refurbishment in Blackburn 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:
- 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.
- 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 Blackburn?
| 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 |
These are typical ranges including VAT, adjusted for North West, where costs run below the UK average. The fixed price for a house in Blackburn follows a site visit.
How long does it take?
Most jobs of this kind take 2–8 weeks over summer. If a council deadline applies in Blackburn, tell us at the first call so the programme is built around it.
When do Blackburn landlords need it?
We usually get the call when:
- Houses that need to compete with purpose-built student blocks
- The summer gap between tenancies
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in Blackburn
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 Blackburn do you work in?
All of them, including BB1 and BB2, and the surrounding parts of Lancashire.
Does a shared house in Blackburn need an HMO licence?
In England, a mandatory licence is needed for 5 or more people from 2 or more households. Smaller HMOs can need a licence where the council runs additional licensing, which is common in towns with many shared houses. Check the council’s website for the address.
How much does student HMO refurbishment cost in Blackburn?
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 Blackburn
- Darwen · 4 mi
- Accrington · 5 mi
- Chorley · 9 mi
- Rawtenstall · 9 mi
- Preston · 9 mi
- Leyland · 9 mi
- All of Lancashire
Other HMO services in Blackburn
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in Blackburn
- Communal kitchen refits in Blackburn
- Ensuite installation in Blackburn
- HMO fire safety upgrades in Blackburn
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in Blackburn
- Full HMO refurbishment in Blackburn
- Rewires and EICR remedials in Blackburn
- Damp, mould and HHSRS repairs in Blackburn