Decorating HMOs and shared houses
An HMO takes the wear of a small commercial building with the finishes of a home. Communal routes fail first, and they're the areas prospective tenants judge the property on.
Communal areas take the punishment
Stairwells, hallways and kitchens see bags, bikes and constant contact. These deserve a commercial-grade durable system even when bedrooms get a standard scheme.
Fire doors and protected routes
Fire doors and their frames must not be treated casually. Coatings and any intumescent detailing need to respect the door's certification rather than being painted over indiscriminately.
Working around occupied rooms
Most HMO work happens with tenants in residence, so communal areas are phased to keep escape routes clear and rooms accessible at all times.
Rooms turned individually
Single-room turnarounds between tenants are quick jobs, and keeping the property's standard palette means they blend into the rest of the house.
Common questions
Can you work with tenants living in the property?
Yes — communal areas are phased so escape routes stay usable.
Can you paint fire doors?
Only in a way that respects the door's certification and any intumescent detailing.
What finish suits HMO hallways?
A durable, scrubbable system rather than standard contract matt.
Do you turn around single rooms?
Yes, quick individual room turnarounds are common.
Related services
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Next step
Get communal areas surveyed and specified to a durable standard.
Request a surveyPlanning a commercial painting or decorating project?
Speak to a Hampshire commercial decorating contractor that turns up, communicates clearly and delivers a finish that lasts.