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 Orkney Islands we survey first, price each item separately and hand over the certificates and photos a council asks for.
- Nation
- Scotland
- Pricing region
- Scotland
- Postcode areas
- KW
What does student HMO refurbishment in Orkney Islands involve?
- Broadband and electrics upgrades
- Study space and sockets in every room
- Hard-wearing kitchens and worktops
- Extra bathroom or ensuites
- Fire safety checks and upgrades
- Photo handover before move-in
Which rules apply in Orkney Islands?
- 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 Orkney Islands?
| 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.
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in Orkney Islands
Can you work around a 1 July or 1 September start?
Yes. We agree a programme backwards from the move-in date and tell you early if anything is at risk.
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 Orkney Islands?
Yes, across the whole of Orkney Islands.
Who licenses HMOs in Orkney Islands?
Orkney Islands council licenses HMOs in its area. Every HMO in Scotland needs a licence.
Other HMO services in Orkney Islands
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in Orkney Islands
- Communal kitchen refits in Orkney Islands
- Ensuite installation in Orkney Islands
- HMO fire safety upgrades in Orkney Islands
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in Orkney Islands
- Full HMO refurbishment in Orkney Islands
- Rewires and EICR remedials in Orkney Islands
- EPC and energy upgrades in Orkney Islands