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 South Ayrshire 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
- KA
- Main towns
- Ayr, Troon, Prestwick
What does student HMO refurbishment in South Ayrshire involve?
- Photo handover before move-in
- Study space and sockets in every room
- Hard-wearing kitchens and worktops
- Extra bathroom or ensuites
- Summer works programme agreed in spring
- Robust flooring and wipe-clean paint
Which rules apply in South Ayrshire?
- Every HMO needs a council licence: 3 or more people who are not all from one or two families, sharing basic amenities. Licences last up to 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.
- Landlords must also be on the Scottish landlord register, renewed every 3 years.
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 South 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 South Ayrshire
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in South Ayrshire
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.
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.
Do you carry out student HMO refurbishment across South Ayrshire?
Yes, across the whole of South Ayrshire, including Ayr, Troon, Prestwick.
Who licenses HMOs in South Ayrshire?
South Ayrshire council licenses HMOs in its area. Every HMO in Scotland needs a licence.
Other HMO services in South Ayrshire
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in South Ayrshire
- Communal kitchen refits in South Ayrshire
- Ensuite installation in South Ayrshire
- HMO fire safety upgrades in South Ayrshire
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in South Ayrshire
- Full HMO refurbishment in South Ayrshire
- EPC and energy upgrades in South Ayrshire
- House to HMO conversion in South Ayrshire