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 North Ayrshire, priced against the HMO rules for Scotland and the council’s own standards.
- Nation
- Scotland
- Pricing region
- Scotland
- Postcode areas
- KA, PA
- Main towns
- Irvine, Kilwinning, Saltcoats
What does student HMO refurbishment in North Ayrshire involve?
- Summer works programme agreed in spring
- Broadband and electrics upgrades
- Study space and sockets in every room
- Photo handover before move-in
- Extra bathroom or ensuites
- Hard-wearing kitchens and worktops
Which rules apply in North Ayrshire?
- 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 North Ayrshire?
| 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 North Ayrshire
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in North Ayrshire
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.
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.
Do you carry out student HMO refurbishment across North Ayrshire?
Yes, across the whole of North Ayrshire, including Irvine, Kilwinning, Saltcoats.
Who licenses HMOs in North Ayrshire?
North Ayrshire council licenses HMOs in its area. Every HMO in Scotland needs a licence.
Other HMO services in North Ayrshire
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in North Ayrshire
- Communal kitchen refits in North Ayrshire
- Ensuite installation in North Ayrshire
- HMO fire safety upgrades in North Ayrshire
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in North Ayrshire
- Full HMO refurbishment in North Ayrshire
- Professional and co-living HMO refurbs in North Ayrshire
- Fire doors in North Ayrshire