A void refurbishment is the work done while a room or house is empty between tenancies: repairs, redecoration, flooring, deep cleaning and safety checks, done quickly so the room can be let again. Landlords in Durham (DH1) usually come to us with a council letter, a fire risk assessment or a house they have just bought. We price from whichever you have. With students as well as working sharers renting in Durham, we plan bigger jobs for the gap between academic-year tenancies where we can.
- Area
- County Durham, England
- Postcodes
- DH1
- Location
- 14 miles south of Newcastle upon Tyne
- Council
- Durham County Council
- Pricing region
- North East
What do void and between-tenancy refurbs in Durham involve?
- Pre-void walk-round and fixed-price list
- Kitchen and bathroom refresh
- Redecoration in hard-wearing finishes
- Repairs to doors, closers, locks and fittings
- Final clean and photo report
Which rules apply in Durham?
The rules below are the England-wide position for this kind of work. Councils add their own standards and schemes on top, so we always check the address in Durham before we price.
- The Fire Safety Order 2005 applies to the common parts of HMOs, enforced by the fire and rescue authority.
- Councils can fine up to £7,000 where a Category 1 hazard is not removed when it reasonably could have been.
- 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.
Durham County Council: local HMO schemes
| Article 4 (HMO) | In force in part of the council area Directions cover Durham City and other named areas (2016-2022); extension to rest of county proposed. |
|---|---|
| Additional licensing | No scheme found |
| Selective licensing | In force in part of the council area Selective licensing in 103 designated areas 1 Apr 2022-31 Mar 2027; consultation on a replacement (87 postcodes, c.38% of PRS) closed 12 Aug 2026. |
Schemes change. Check the council’s current pages for the exact address in Durham before you buy or start work. Source: Durham County Council HMO licensing page, checked 2026-10-31.
How much do void and between-tenancy refurbs cost in Durham?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Between-tenancy turnaround per room: repairs, redecoration, flooring (our estimate) | £600 – £1,800 | £550 – £1,650 | room |
| Mould treatment and making good | £250 – £500 | £230 – £460 | room |
| FD30S fire door leaf into an existing frame, with seals, closer and hinges, fitted | £300 – £600 | £280 – £550 | door |
These are typical ranges including VAT, adjusted for North East, where costs run below the UK average. The fixed price for a house in Durham follows a site visit.
How long does it take?
Typical time on site: 3–10 working days. We agree the programme with you before starting and send photo updates as the work progresses.
For student houses in Durham, booking by spring is the safest way to make the summer gap.
When do Durham landlords need it?
We usually get the call when:
- End of the student year in summer
- Before re-letting a house you have just bought
Questions about void and between-tenancy refurbs in Durham
Do you check the fire doors and alarm?
Yes. We check closers, seals and alarm heads as part of every void visit and tell you about anything that needs fixing.
Which postcodes in Durham do you work in?
All of them, including DH1, and the surrounding parts of County Durham.
Which council covers HMOs in Durham?
Durham is covered by Durham County Council. We read the council’s written HMO standards before pricing, and you should check the licence position for the exact address.
How much do void and between-tenancy refurbs cost in Durham?
Our guide ranges for North East are in the table on this page, and the guide-price tool gives a figure for your house. A fixed written quote follows a free site visit.
Void and between-tenancy refurbs near Durham
- Chester-le-Street · 6 mi
- Houghton-Le-Spring · 6 mi
- Stanley · 8 mi
- Washington · 9 mi
- Bishop Auckland · 9 mi
- Peterlee · 10 mi
- All of County Durham
Other HMO services in Durham
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in Durham
- Full HMO refurbishment in Durham
- Student HMO refurbishment in Durham
- Fire doors in Durham
- Damp, mould and HHSRS repairs in Durham
- Shared bathroom and shower room refits in Durham
- Extensions for extra rooms in Durham
- Professional and co-living HMO refurbs in Durham