LE4 · Belgrave
HMO Fire Risk Assessment
in Belgrave
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.
If you own or manage a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in Belgrave, Leicester, you are legally required to ensure the safety of your tenants from fire. This duty includes having a current HMO fire risk assessment in Belgrave. The area, characterised by its long commercial strip of Belgrave Road with shops, restaurants, jewellers and places of worship, is backed by dense Victorian terraces and small manufacturing units. Many of these older, terraced properties in the LE4 postcode district have been converted into HMOs, making a thorough fire risk assessment essential for tenant safety and legal compliance. This applies to shared houses, bedsits, and buildings converted into flats where common parts are shared. A HMO fire risk assessment in Belgrave typically costs £150 to £400 per property. This figure depends on the specific building and the quote will come directly from the local fire safety firm we put you in touch with.
What a Fire Risk Assessment Covers
A fire risk assessment for an HMO involves a systematic review of your property to identify potential fire hazards and assess the risk to occupants. The assessor will examine various aspects of the building, including its construction, the materials used, and the layout. Key factors that influence the scope and price of the assessment include the number of storeys and bedrooms, whether the property is licensed or mandatory-licensable, and the existing fire alarm grade and coverage. The condition of fire doors to bedrooms and along the escape route will also be a critical part of the evaluation. The assessment will also consider whether the layout is a shared house with communal facilities or comprises fully self-contained flats, as each presents different fire safety considerations. The firm we connect you with will provide a detailed report outlining any deficiencies and recommending necessary actions to bring your property up to standard.
How the Enquiry Works
Our service simplifies the process of finding a local fire safety firm.
- You send us the details of your property and your requirements.
- We pass these details to a suitable local firm that specialises in HMO fire risk assessments in Belgrave.
- That firm will then contact you directly to discuss your 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 assessment ourselves.
The Legal Position on HMO Fire Safety
As the duty holder for an HMO, you have significant legal responsibilities regarding fire safety. The primary legislation governing fire safety in the common parts of an HMO is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This Order requires a responsible person to carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment.
In addition to the Fire Safety Order, the Housing Act 2004, enforced by the local housing authority, also places duties on HMO landlords. This Act introduces the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), which includes fire safety as a key hazard. Mandatory HMO licensing conditions often require a current fire risk assessment. Failure to comply can lead to the council serving improvement notices or even prohibition notices, restricting the use of the property. Penalties for non-compliance can be severe, including unlimited fines and banning orders for landlords.
Guidance for fire safety in existing housing, including HMOs, is provided by the LACORS national fire safety guidance. Fire alarm systems in HMOs are typically designed and installed to BS 5839-6, with Grade D LD2 often being the standard for shared houses.
It is crucial that your fire risk assessment is carried out by a competent person. This means someone with sufficient training, experience, and knowledge to understand the risks and recommend appropriate control measures. This page provides general information and should not be taken as specific advice for your building. Enforcement of fire safety regulations in Belgrave sits with either the local fire and rescue service or the local authority, depending on the specific legislation being applied.
Questions duty holders ask
7 answers
Does my HMO need a fire risk assessment?
Yes, if you are the landlord or manager of an HMO, you are legally required to have a current fire risk assessment. This applies to all HMOs, regardless of whether they are licensed or not. The assessment helps identify fire hazards and risks to your tenants, so that you meet your legal obligations under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Housing Act 2004.
What alarm grade does an HMO need?
The specific fire alarm grade required for an HMO depends on various factors, including the size, layout, and type of occupancy. Generally, for shared houses, a Grade D LD2 system compliant with BS 5839-6 is often recommended. A competent fire risk assessor will determine the appropriate grade and coverage for your specific property.
Do bedroom doors have to be fire doors?
In many HMOs, particularly those with shared escape routes, bedroom doors are required to be fire doors. This helps to contain a fire within a room for a specified period, allowing occupants more time to escape. The fire risk assessment will determine if fire doors are necessary for your property and to what standard they should conform.
How often does a licensed HMO need one?
While there is no fixed legal frequency for reviewing a fire risk assessment, it should be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to the property or its occupancy. For licensed HMOs, it is good practice to review it at least annually, or when a new tenant moves in, or if any fire safety equipment is altered.
What does the council actually check?
When the local authority inspects an HMO, they will typically check for a valid and current fire risk assessment. They will also assess the adequacy of fire detection and alarm systems, the condition of fire doors, the clarity of escape routes, and the availability of fire-fighting equipment. They use the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) to evaluate fire hazards.
How much does a fire risk assessment cost?
A HMO fire risk assessment in Belgrave typically costs between £150 and £400 per property. The exact price will depend on factors like the size of the property, the number of bedrooms, and the complexity of the building’s layout. The firm we connect you with will provide a tailored quote.
Who carries out the assessment?
We are an enquiry service, connecting you with local fire safety firms. The fire risk assessment will be carried out by a competent person from the firm we put you in touch with. They will be experienced in assessing HMOs and will provide you with a comprehensive report and recommendations.
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.