LE67 · Coalville
HMO Fire Risk Assessment
in Coalville
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 are a landlord, property manager, or building owner responsible for a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in Coalville, you are legally required to ensure the safety of your tenants. A professional HMO fire risk assessment in Coalville is a fundamental part of meeting this obligation. Coalville, with its mix of terraced housing and properties above high street shops, particularly in the LE67 postcode district, contains many buildings that are likely to be operating as HMOs. These properties, often older and converted, present unique fire safety challenges compared to purpose-built dwellings. An assessment helps identify potential fire hazards and outlines necessary preventative and protective measures. This is crucial for shared houses, student accommodation, and other multi-occupancy buildings where tenants share facilities. A HMO fire risk assessment in Coalville typically costs £150 to £400 per property. This figure depends on the size and complexity of the building, and the exact quote will be provided directly by the local firm we put you in touch with.
What an HMO Fire Risk Assessment Covers
The fire risk assessment carried out by the local firm we connect you with will be a thorough examination of your HMO property. The scope of work and, consequently, the price, will be influenced by several factors. These include the number of storeys and bedrooms within the property, whether the HMO is licensed or mandatory-licensable, and the existing fire alarm grade and its coverage throughout the building. The condition of fire doors, particularly those leading to bedrooms and along the escape route, is a critical element. The assessment will also consider the property's layout, distinguishing between a shared house with communal living spaces and properties divided into fully self-contained flats. The assessor will identify potential fire hazards, assess the risk to people, and recommend appropriate fire safety measures to mitigate those risks.
How the Enquiry Works
- You send us your details and a brief description of the property.
- We pass your enquiry to a local fire safety firm specialising in HMOs in Coalville.
- That firm will contact you directly to discuss your requirements and provide a quote.
- You then deal directly with the firm to arrange the assessment and any subsequent work. We are an enquiry service and do not carry out the assessments ourselves.
The Legal Position for HMO Fire Safety
The primary legislation governing fire safety in the common parts of an HMO is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Under this order, any person having control of an HMO, such as a landlord or manager, is designated as the ‘responsible person’ and has a legal duty to ensure a current and suitable fire risk assessment is in place. Furthermore, the Housing Act 2004, enforced by the local housing authority, also places significant fire safety responsibilities on HMO landlords, particularly through the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). Mandatory HMO licensing conditions specifically require a current fire risk assessment.
The assessment itself should be carried out against recognised guidance, such as the LACORS national fire safety guidance for existing housing, and relevant British Standards like BS 5839-6, which often recommends a Grade D LD2 fire alarm system for a shared house. Failure to comply with these duties can lead to serious consequences. The local authority or the local fire and rescue service in Coalville can serve improvement or prohibition notices if fire safety standards are deemed inadequate. Penalties for non-compliance can include unlimited fines and, in severe cases, banning orders for landlords. It is crucial that the fire risk assessment is carried out by a competent person. This page provides general information and should not be considered specific advice for your building.
Questions duty holders ask
7 answers
Does my HMO need a fire risk assessment?
Yes, if you own or manage an HMO, you are legally required to have a current fire risk assessment. This applies to all HMOs, regardless of whether they are licensed, to ensure the safety of your tenants in shared accommodation.
What alarm grade does an HMO need?
The required fire alarm grade for an HMO depends on various factors, including the property's size, layout, and the number of occupants. Often, guidance like BS 5839-6 recommends a minimum of a Grade D LD2 system for shared houses, but the specific requirements will be determined by the assessor.
Do bedroom doors have to be fire doors?
Not all bedroom doors in an HMO automatically need to be fire doors. The necessity depends on the overall fire safety strategy for the property, the escape routes, and the findings of the fire risk assessment. The assessor will advise on specific requirements.
How often does a licensed HMO need one?
While there isn't a fixed legal frequency for reassessment, a fire risk assessment for an HMO should be reviewed regularly. It is generally recommended to review it at least annually, or whenever there are significant changes to the property, its use, or the number of occupants.
What does the council actually check?
The local housing authority, when inspecting an HMO, will typically check for the presence of a current and suitable fire risk assessment. They will also assess the adequacy of fire safety measures, such as fire alarms, escape routes, fire doors, and fire-fighting equipment, against legal requirements and guidance.
What is the typical cost for an HMO fire risk assessment?
A HMO fire risk assessment in Coalville typically costs between £150 and £400 per property. The exact price will be provided by the local fire safety firm we connect you with, as it depends on factors like the property's size and complexity.
Are you the company that will carry out the assessment?
No, we are an enquiry service. We do not carry out fire risk assessments ourselves. We connect you with local, independent fire safety firms in Coalville who specialise in HMO fire risk assessments. They will contact you directly to provide a quote and arrange the work.
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.