Fire Risk Assessment
in Highfields

Managing a property in a diverse and densely populated area requires a clear understanding of safety obligations. If you are responsible for a property, arranging a fire risk assessment in Highfields is a fundamental step in so that the safety of occupants and remaining compliant with national legislation. This area, located in the LE2 postcode district, is characterised by its unique architectural heritage, featuring dense Victorian terraces and large subdivided villas immediately east of the city centre. Highfields contains one of the highest concentrations of shared houses and licensable HMOs in the city, alongside a vibrant mix of independent shops and various places of worship. Because these buildings are often older, multi-storey, or have been converted from their original use, the fire safety requirements are specific and demanding. A fire risk assessment in Highfields typically costs £180 to £600 per assessment, though this figure depends entirely on the size and complexity of the building. The firm we pass your enquiry to will provide a specific quote based on your premises. Whether you manage a small retail unit on a busy thoroughfare or a large converted villa serving as multiple dwellings, the assessor who contacts you will evaluate the specific risks inherent to your property.

What the assessment covers

The fire risk assessment is a systematic evaluation of your premises to identify potential hazards and determine the likelihood of a fire occurring. The scope of the work and the eventual cost are influenced by several physical and operational factors. The assessor will consider the total floor area and the number of storeys, as larger buildings naturally require more time to inspect thoroughly. The age of the building is a significant factor in Highfields, as Victorian structures often have different fire-spread characteristics compared to modern builds, particularly if the property has been altered or extended over the decades.

The way the building is used and the number of people who occupy it are also critical. The firm will look at whether anyone sleeps on the premises, which is common in the many HMOs and flats in the area, as life safety risks are higher during sleeping hours. They will also examine the number and complexity of escape routes, so that corridors, stairwells, and exits are sufficient for the occupancy levels. The assessment will review ignition sources, fuel loads, and the adequacy of fire detection and firefighting equipment currently in place.

How the enquiry works

Leicester Fire Risk Assessment acts as a bridge between property owners and professional service providers. We are not the ones doing the work, and we do not attend your site ourselves. The process follows four simple steps:

1. You send the details of your property and your requirements through our enquiry form.
2. We pass these details to a local fire safety firm that operates in the Highfields area.
3. That firm contacts you directly to discuss the building and provide a formal quote.
4. You deal with the firm directly to book the site visit and receive your completed report.

The legal position

Fire safety in England is governed primarily by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This legislation places the legal burden of safety on the ‘Responsible Person’, who is typically the employer, building owner, or managing agent. Further requirements were introduced by section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, which came into force on 1 October 2023. These changes tightened the rules around documentation and cooperation between duty holders.

Under the current law, the Responsible Person for almost every non-domestic premises must ensure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out. Crucially, since section 156 commenced, the Responsible Person must record the assessment in full, regardless of how many people are employed or the size of the business. Previously, smaller businesses were exempt from the recording requirement, but this is no longer the case. The assessment is typically carried out against the guidance of BS 9792:2025 for housing premises and BS 9792:2025 for non-domestic premises.

The law stipulates that the assessment must be carried out by a competent person—someone with sufficient training, experience, and knowledge to identify risks accurately. The assessment is not a one-time event; it must be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains valid, and it must be updated immediately after any material change to the building’s layout, use, or occupancy. In Highfields, enforcement of these regulations sits with the local fire and rescue service for most commercial and common parts of residential buildings, or the local authority where housing standards are concerned. Please note that this page provides general information for guidance and does not constitute legal advice on a specific building.