LE7 · Anstey
HMO Fire Risk Assessment
in Anstey
An HMO landlord or manager is a Responsible Person for the common parts and must ensure a fire risk assessment is carried out and kept under review. Local authorities commonly attach conditions to an HMO licence that require one, and can serve improvement or prohibition notices under the Housing Act 2004. Penalties include unlimited fines, and banning orders are available under the Housing and Planning Act 2016.
Duty summary
England & Wales
- Duty
- HMO Fire Risk Assessment
- Instrument
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which covers the common parts of an HMO
- Also
- Housing Act 2004 and the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, enforced by the local housing authority
- Standard
- LACORS national fire safety guidance for existing housing, which for a typical shared house points to a Grade D LD2 system described in BS 5839-6
- Frequency
- Reviewed regularly; licence conditions commonly expect an annual review
- Carried out by
- A competent person
- Enforced by
- Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (common parts) and the local housing authority (the dwellings)
- Guide price
- £150 – £400 per property
Guide price only. The firm we pass your enquiry to sets its own price once it knows the building.
An HMO fire risk assessment in Anstey is a critical safety measure for many property owners and managers in the LE7 postcode district. Given Anstey's mix of historic buildings, high street shops with flats above, and light industrial units, a range of premises can fall under HMO regulations. This typically includes shared houses, bedsits, and flats converted from larger properties, where multiple households or individuals live in separate rooms but share facilities. The assessment identifies potential fire hazards and evaluates the risk to occupants, so that appropriate safety measures are in place. A HMO fire risk assessment in Anstey typically costs £150 to £400 per property. This figure depends on the specific building, and the exact quote will come directly from the fire safety firm we connect you with. This service helps duty holders in Anstey connect with local fire safety firms that can carry out these essential assessments, so that compliance and occupant safety.
What a Fire Risk Assessment Covers
A fire risk assessment for an HMO in Anstey involves a thorough inspection of the property to identify fire hazards and assess the risk to occupants. The scope of work and, consequently, the price, can vary based on several factors. These include the number of storeys and bedrooms within the property, which directly impacts the complexity of the assessment. Whether the property is licensed or mandatory-licensable also plays a role, as licensed properties often have specific requirements.
The assessment will evaluate the existing alarm system, considering its grade and coverage throughout the property. The condition of fire doors, particularly those to bedrooms and along the escape route, is a key area of focus. The layout of the property is also important; whether it is a shared house with communal facilities or fully self-contained flats will influence the assessment's findings and recommendations. The fire safety firm will consider all these elements to provide a comprehensive report outlining any necessary actions to mitigate fire risks and ensure compliance.
How the Enquiry Works
- You send us your details and a brief description of the property in Anstey requiring an HMO fire risk assessment.
- We pass your enquiry to a local fire safety firm that specialises in HMO assessments.
- That firm will contact you directly to discuss your specific needs and provide a quote.
- You deal directly with the fire safety firm for the assessment and any subsequent work. We are an enquiry service and do not carry out the assessments ourselves.
The Legal Position of HMO Fire Risk Assessments
The legal requirement for a fire risk assessment in the common parts of an HMO in Anstey stems primarily from the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This legislation places a duty on the responsible person, typically the landlord or manager, to carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. Beyond this, the Housing Act 2004, enforced by the local housing authority, also plays a significant role. This Act includes the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), which assesses a wide range of hazards, including fire risk, within residential properties.
Guidance for these assessments is often drawn from documents such as the LACORS national fire safety guidance for existing housing, which provides practical advice for landlords. Additionally, British Standard BS 5839-6, often recommending a Grade D LD2 alarm system for a shared house, is the standard against which fire alarm systems are commonly assessed.
In plain English, an HMO landlord or manager in Anstey must hold a current fire risk assessment. This is not merely a recommendation; mandatory HMO licensing conditions require it, and the local council can serve improvement or prohibition notices if fire safety standards are not met. Penalties for non-compliance can include unlimited fines and banning orders, underscoring the seriousness of these duties. It is crucial that the assessment is carried out by a competent person, someone with sufficient training, experience, and knowledge. This page provides general information and should not be taken as specific advice for your individual building. Enforcement in Anstey for fire safety matters sits with the local fire and rescue service or the local authority, as appropriate to the specific breach or hazard.
Questions duty holders ask
7 answers
Does my HMO need a fire risk assessment?
If you own or manage an HMO in Anstey, you are legally required to have a current fire risk assessment for the common parts of the property. This applies whether your property is a shared house, bedsits, or converted flats. The assessment identifies fire hazards and ensures the safety of all occupants.
What alarm grade does an HMO need?
The required fire alarm grade for an HMO depends on various factors, but typically, for a shared house, a Grade D LD2 system is recommended under BS 5839-6. The specific grade will be determined by the fire risk assessor based on the property's layout and risk profile.
Do bedroom doors have to be fire doors?
In many HMOs, particularly those with higher risk or mandatory licensing, bedroom doors are required to be fire doors. This helps contain a fire within a room, protecting the escape route. The fire risk assessment will specify if this is necessary for your property.
How often does a licensed HMO need one?
While there isn't a strict legal frequency for reviewing a fire risk assessment, it should be reviewed regularly and certainly if there are any significant changes to the property, the occupancy, or fire safety measures. Most duty holders aim for an annual review, or at least every two years.
What does the council actually check?
When inspecting an HMO, the council, under the Housing Act 2004 and the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, will check for a current and suitable fire risk assessment. They will also verify that any recommendations from the assessment have been implemented, such as fire alarm maintenance, fire door condition, and clear escape routes.
How much does an HMO fire risk assessment cost?
A HMO fire risk assessment in Anstey typically costs between £150 and £400 per property. The exact price will be provided by the local fire safety firm we connect you with, based on factors like the property's size, complexity, and specific requirements.
Are you the fire risk assessor?
No, Leicester Fire Risk Assessment is an enquiry service. We do not carry out the assessments ourselves. We connect building owners, landlords, and managers in Anstey with local, competent fire safety firms who will then contact you directly to provide a quote and conduct the fire risk assessment.
Sources and review
Checked against Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Housing Act 2004, LACORS fire safety guidance and BS 5839-6 on . We recheck this page against the legislation quarterly, and sooner if the law changes. Spotted something wrong? Tell us at enquiries@leicesterfireriskassessment.co.uk and we will correct it.
HMO Fire Risk Assessment nearby
Other duties at the same premises
This page is general information about fire safety law in England and Wales. It is not a fire risk assessment and it is not legal advice. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 the Responsible Person must ensure an assessment is carried out by a competent person.