LE5 · Evington
HMO Fire Risk Assessment
in Evington
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
- £160 – £420 per property
Guide price only. The firm we pass your enquiry to sets its own price once it knows the building.
Building owners and managers responsible for multi-occupied properties in the LE5 postcode district must ensure their premises meet specific safety standards. If you are a landlord, obtaining a professional HMO fire risk assessment in Evington is a necessary step in managing your legal obligations. The local landscape in Evington is varied, featuring a traditional village centre with a church, local pubs, and a shopping parade, which is ringed by interwar semis and later detached housing. Many of these larger interwar properties have been converted into houses in multiple occupation to meet local housing demand. Whether the property is a converted semi-detached house near the village centre or a larger detached building further out, the common areas require a formal assessment. A HMO fire risk assessment in Evington typically costs £160 to £420 per property, though the final figure depends entirely on the specific building and its complexity. This quote is provided directly by the local firm we pass your enquiry to, rather than by this service. The assessment identifies potential hazards and provides a plan to mitigate risks for tenants living in shared environments.
What the assessment covers
The fire risk assessment is a comprehensive review of the property’s fire safety measures and physical condition. The scope of the work and the eventual cost are influenced by several factors specific to the building. The assessor who contacts you will look at the number of storeys and the total number of bedrooms, as larger buildings naturally require more time to inspect. They will also verify whether the property is currently licensed or falls under mandatory-licensable criteria, as this can affect the specific standards required by the local housing authority.
A significant part of the inspection involves evaluating the existing fire alarm system, specifically its grade and the extent of its coverage throughout the property. The condition of fire doors is another critical factor; the assessor will check the doors leading to individual bedrooms and those protecting the primary escape route to ensure they provide adequate protection. The layout of the property is also taken into account, noting whether it functions as a simple shared house with communal facilities or has been divided into fully self-contained flats, as each configuration presents different risk profiles.
How the enquiry works
Leicester Fire Risk Assessment operates as a dedicated enquiry service to help you find a suitable professional. We are not the ones doing the work, and we do not attend your site. The process follows these four steps:
- You send the details of your Evington property through our enquiry form.
- We pass these details to a competent local fire safety firm.
- That firm contacts you directly to provide a specific quote for the work.
- You deal with the chosen company directly to arrange the assessment and payment.
The legal position for HMO landlords
The primary legislation governing fire safety in the communal areas of multi-occupied buildings is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Under this Order, the landlord or manager is designated as the ‘responsible person’ and must ensure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out and regularly reviewed. In addition to this, the Housing Act 2004 and the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) allow the local housing authority to inspect properties for hazards, including fire.
Guidance for these assessments is typically drawn from the LACORS national fire safety guidance for existing housing, which provides a framework for both landlords and enforcement officers. Furthermore, fire detection systems are normally assessed against BS 5839-6; for a standard shared house, this is commonly a Grade D LD2 system, though requirements vary based on the building's size and layout.
Compliance is not optional. Mandatory HMO licensing conditions explicitly require a valid fire risk assessment to be in place. If a property is found to be deficient, the local authority or the local fire and rescue service, who handle enforcement in Evington, can serve improvement or prohibition notices. Failure to comply can lead to severe penalties, including unlimited fines and banning orders that prevent a landlord from operating. The assessment must be carried out by a competent person who has the necessary skills and experience. Please note that the information on this page is provided as general information and does not constitute legal advice for a specific building.
Questions duty holders ask
6 answers
Does my HMO need a fire risk assessment?
Yes, if you manage a house in multiple occupation, you have a legal duty under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 to ensure a fire risk assessment is conducted for the common parts. This applies to all HMOs, regardless of whether they require a mandatory licence from the council. It ensures that escape routes are clear and that fire detection and prevention measures are adequate for the number of occupants living in the building.
What alarm grade does an HMO need?
The required alarm grade usually depends on the size and type of the HMO. For many standard shared houses, the LACORS guidance and BS 5839-6 often recommend a Grade D, Category LD2 system, which includes mains-powered interlinked smoke alarms in the escape routes and high-risk rooms like kitchens. However, the company we put you in touch with will confirm the specific requirements for your property during their assessment, as larger or more complex buildings may require a more advanced Grade A system.
Do bedroom doors have to be fire doors?
In most HMOs, bedroom doors are required to be fire-resisting doors, typically rated to FD30S standards, which means they provide 30 minutes of fire resistance and include smoke seals. These doors protect the escape route if a fire starts inside a tenant's room. The assessor will check the condition of these doors, so that they have correct closers, intumescent strips, and that they have not been damaged or altered by tenants in a way that compromises their integrity.
How often does a licensed HMO need one?
While the law states that a fire risk assessment must be reviewed 'regularly', most local authorities and fire professionals recommend a full review every twelve months for HMOs, or whenever there is a significant change to the building layout or the type of tenants. If you hold a mandatory HMO licence, the council will often check that your assessment is current as part of their licensing conditions. Keeping an annual schedule helps ensure you remain compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
What does the council actually check?
When the local authority inspects an HMO in Evington, they look for hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System. They will check for the presence of a valid fire risk assessment, the working condition of the fire alarm and emergency lighting, and the suitability of fire doors. They also ensure that escape routes are unobstructed and that the landlord has provided adequate fire safety instructions to the tenants. Failure to meet these standards can result in the council issuing an improvement notice.
How much will the assessment cost me?
A HMO fire risk assessment in Evington typically costs £160 to £420 per property. The exact price is determined by the local firm that receives your enquiry, based on the size of the building, the number of rooms, and the complexity of the internal layout. We act as an enquiry service to connect you with these professionals; we do not set the final price or carry out the inspection ourselves. You will receive a transparent quote directly from the firm before any work begins.
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.