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 Lanarkshire 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
- ML, G, EH
- Main towns
- East Kilbride, Meikle Earnock, Hamilton, Rutherglen, Cambuslang
What does student HMO refurbishment in South Lanarkshire involve?
- Robust flooring and wipe-clean paint
- Study space and sockets in every room
- Broadband and electrics upgrades
- Extra bathroom or ensuites
- Summer works programme agreed in spring
- Hard-wearing kitchens and worktops
Which rules apply in South Lanarkshire?
- 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.
- Councils set HMO fire standards through licence conditions, often including emergency lighting in larger HMOs.
- 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 Lanarkshire?
| 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 Lanarkshire
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in South Lanarkshire
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 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.
Do you carry out student HMO refurbishment across South Lanarkshire?
Yes, across the whole of South Lanarkshire, including East Kilbride, Meikle Earnock, Hamilton.
Who licenses HMOs in South Lanarkshire?
South Lanarkshire council licenses HMOs in its area. Every HMO in Scotland needs a licence.
Other HMO services in South Lanarkshire
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in South Lanarkshire
- Communal kitchen refits in South Lanarkshire
- Ensuite installation in South Lanarkshire
- HMO fire safety upgrades in South Lanarkshire
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in South Lanarkshire
- Full HMO refurbishment in South Lanarkshire
- Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in South Lanarkshire
- Professional and co-living HMO refurbs in South Lanarkshire