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. Across Wiltshire, the work is planned around England’s HMO rules and the standards the local council publishes.
- Nation
- England
- Pricing region
- South West
- Postcode areas
- SN, SP, BA, RG
- Main towns
- Swindon, Salisbury, Trowbridge, Chippenham
What does student HMO refurbishment in Wiltshire involve?
- Summer works programme agreed in spring
- Fire safety checks and upgrades
- Robust flooring and wipe-clean paint
- Photo handover before move-in
- Hard-wearing kitchens and worktops
- Study space and sockets in every room
Which rules apply in Wiltshire?
- Licences last up to 5 years and carry conditions on gas and electrical safety, alarms, room sizes and waste.
- National rules ask for an adequate number of bathrooms, WCs and basins and suitably located kitchens; numeric ratios are set by each council.
- Smoke alarms on every storey with living accommodation and CO alarms by fixed combustion appliances (other than gas cookers) are required by law.
- 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.
- Under the Renters’ Rights Act, civil penalties reach £40,000 for offences such as running an unlicensed HMO.
Councils in England can add additional licensing and Article 4 directions on top of the national rules. Check the council’s website for the exact address before you buy or start work.
How much does student HMO refurbishment cost in Wiltshire?
| 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 | £4,150 – £9,350 | letting room |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £8,300 – £18,700 | kitchen |
| Shared bathroom refit | £5,500 – £9,000 | £5,700 – £9,350 | bathroom |
| Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides) | £800 – £2,000 | £830 – £2,100 | house |
| Full rewire, 4–5 bedroom house | £6,000 – £12,000 | £6,250 – £12,500 | 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 Wiltshire
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in Wiltshire
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.
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 you carry out student HMO refurbishment across Wiltshire?
Yes, across the whole of Wiltshire, including Swindon, Salisbury, Trowbridge.
Who licenses HMOs in Wiltshire?
HMOs in Wiltshire are licensed by the local council for the address. Where an area has several councils, each runs its own licensing and planning policies.
Other HMO services in Wiltshire
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in Wiltshire
- Communal kitchen refits in Wiltshire
- Ensuite installation in Wiltshire
- HMO fire safety upgrades in Wiltshire
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in Wiltshire
- Full HMO refurbishment in Wiltshire
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Wiltshire
- House to HMO conversion in Wiltshire