HMO Conversions & Buy-to-Let Refurbishment (Stress-Free)

Own the asset. Earn monthly income. Grow long-term value.

Buying a property to rent out means you:

collect monthly rent once it’s refurbished and tenant-ready; and
hold a real asset that can rise in value over time (UK house prices up ~2.8% YoY to July 2025). Office for National Statistics

We make it easy: SCL Firm designs and delivers the refurb (including HMO setups), sorts compliance, and can manage the property afterwards—so the process stays hands-off for you.

Who this page is for

Landlords scaling a portfolio (single-lets or HMOs).
Buy-to-let buyers planning fix-and-rent or fix-and-sell.
Owners who want end-to-end help: survey → refurb → compliance → management.

Typical scope we deliver

Survey & plan: measure, check services, confirm quick wins for yield/valuation.
Layout tweaks: open up living space, sensible storage, smart lighting plans.
Kitchen: durable units/worktops, easy-clean splashbacks, LED task lighting, landlord-grade appliances.
Bathroom(s): fully waterproofed shower/bath area, quality valves, vented extract, tiled floors/walls where it counts.
Electrics: full or partial rewire as needed, new consumer unit with RCD/RCBOs, EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) compliant. GOV.UK+2Legislation.gov.uk+2
Heating & plumbing: boiler/controls check or upgrade, TRVs, lagging, efficient hot water layout.
Fire & safety: interlinked smoke alarms (and CO where required). GOV.UK+1
Surfaces: robust flooring (LVT/laminate), scuff-resistant paint, wipeable finishes.
Curb appeal: front door/ironmongery, lighting, letterbox/number—small details that lift rentability.

Deliverables at handover

EICR, Gas Safety, Smoke/CO compliance notes, product warranties, photo set, paint codes—ready for letting.

HMO Conversions: Higher Yield, Fully Compliant

Goal: multiple lettable rooms with safe, compliant shared spaces and low call-outs.

Design & compliance planning

Room layouts & amenity ratios (bathroom/kitchen capacity) to suit your licence conditions.
Fire strategy: escape routes, protected lobbies where needed, fire-stopping at penetrations, signage.
Acoustics & privacy: sound-insulated partitions/doors in key locations.
Services: hot water capacity, balanced heating, dedicated extract in wet rooms and kitchen.

Typical HMO build items

Fire doors to risk rooms (e.g., bedrooms, kitchen) typically FD30 with self-closers and intumescent strips; door furniture suited to escape. (Final spec per your local authority/fire guidance.) CIEH+1
Fire detection & alarm: system designed to BS 5839-6 (often LD2 coverage for escape routes + high-risk rooms; larger HMOs may need Grade A panels—requirements vary by storey count and layout). Safelincs+1
Emergency lighting and signage if required by the fire risk assessment/local guidance. CIEH
Interlinked alarms and CO protection per current regulations. GOV.UK
Electrics: upgraded circuits/RCBOs to support room loads, metering options, EICR compliant. GOV.UK
Ventilation: adequately ducted continuous or boost extract in kitchen/bathrooms.
Bathrooms/Kitchens: durable, easy-clean specs sized for occupancy.
Security & access: suited cylinders, bedroom privacy locks that don’t impede escape.

Licensing basics (England)

Mandatory HMO licence usually applies at 5+ people in 2+ households (check your council—amenity standards and room-size rules apply). GOV.UK+1

We coordinate with your council’s HMO/licensing team and align with widely used LACORS fire safety guidance (and council-specific add-ons). Final requirements are set by your local authority and fire service.