LE12 · Quorn
HMO Fire Risk Assessment
in Quorn
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.
If you own or manage a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in Quorn, you have a legal duty to ensure the safety of your tenants from fire. A professional HMO fire risk assessment in Quorn is the foundation of meeting this responsibility. Quorn, with its mix of high street properties, hotels, restaurants, and surrounding detached housing in the LE12 postcode district, contains many properties that fall under HMO regulations. These can range from shared houses to buildings converted into flats, often found in older, larger properties that were once single-family homes. The need for an assessment arises from the increased fire risk associated with multiple occupants, shared facilities, and potentially complex escape routes. It is a critical step for landlords and managers to identify potential hazards and implement necessary safety measures. A HMO fire risk assessment in Quorn typically costs £160 to £420 per property. This figure is a guide and depends on the specific characteristics of the building. The exact quote will be provided by the local firm we put you in touch with.
What a Fire Risk Assessment Covers
A fire risk assessment for an HMO identifies potential fire hazards and the people at risk. It assesses the adequacy of existing fire safety measures and recommends any improvements needed. The scope of the work and the resulting price will vary depending on several factors. These include the number of storeys and bedrooms within the property, whether the property is licensed or mandatory-licensable, the existing alarm grade and its coverage throughout the building, the condition of fire doors to bedrooms and along the escape route, and whether the layout is a shared house or comprises fully self-contained flats. The assessor will examine aspects such as electrical safety, cooking facilities, storage of combustible materials, and the integrity of fire separation. They will also review the fire safety management procedures in place.
How the Enquiry Works
- You send us the details of your property in Quorn requiring an HMO fire risk assessment.
- We pass these details to a local firm that specialises in fire risk assessments for HMOs.
- That firm will contact you directly to discuss your needs and provide a specific quote for the work.
- You then deal with them directly regarding the assessment and any subsequent actions. We are an enquiry service and do not carry out the assessment ourselves.
The Legal Position
The primary legislation governing fire safety in the common parts of an HMO is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This order places a duty on the "responsible person" (typically the landlord or manager) to carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. For HMOs, additional requirements are set out in the Housing Act 2004, which is enforced by the local housing authority. The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), also under the Housing Act 2004, includes fire safety as a key hazard.
Further guidance is provided by the LACORS national fire safety guidance for existing housing, which offers practical advice on meeting fire safety obligations in residential properties. Technical standards for fire alarm systems are typically referenced against BS 5839-6, with a common requirement for a Grade D LD2 system in a shared house.
In plain English, an HMO landlord or manager must hold a current fire risk assessment for their property. Mandatory HMO licensing conditions often require this, and failure to comply can lead to serious consequences. The local authority can serve improvement notices or even prohibition notices if fire safety standards are inadequate. Penalties for non-compliance can include unlimited fines and banning orders, preventing landlords from operating in the sector. The assessment must be carried out by a competent person who has sufficient training, experience, and knowledge. This page provides general information and is not specific advice for your building. Enforcement in Quorn sits with the local fire and rescue service or the local authority as appropriate, depending on the specific fire safety matter.
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 fire risk assessment. This duty arises from the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for the common parts of the building, and is further reinforced by the Housing Act 2004. It's a fundamental part of so that the safety of your tenants and demonstrating due diligence as a responsible person.
What alarm grade does an HMO need?
The required fire alarm grade for an HMO typically depends on the size and layout of the property. For a standard shared house, a Grade D LD2 system, as specified in BS 5839-6, is often recommended. This includes mains-powered, interlinked smoke alarms in circulation areas and heat alarms in kitchens, with a battery backup. The specific grade will be determined by the fire risk assessment.
Do bedroom doors have to be fire doors?
In many HMOs, particularly those with more complex layouts or higher numbers of occupants, bedroom doors are required to be fire doors. This is to provide a period of protection, typically 30 minutes, to allow occupants to escape and to contain a fire. The need for fire doors will be assessed during the fire risk assessment, considering the property's specific risks and escape routes.
How often does a licensed HMO need one?
A fire risk assessment should be reviewed regularly, typically annually, or whenever there is a significant change to the property or its occupancy. Even if no changes have occurred, it's good practice to review it every two to three years. For licensed HMOs, the licensing conditions often specify review periods, so that the assessment remains current and effective.
What does the council actually check?
When the local council inspects an HMO, they will check for a valid and up-to-date fire risk assessment. They will also verify that the recommendations made in the assessment have been implemented. This includes checking fire detection systems, escape routes, fire doors, fire-fighting equipment, and general fire safety management. They use the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) to assess fire hazards.
How much does an HMO fire risk assessment cost?
A HMO fire risk assessment in Quorn typically costs between £160 and £420 per property. The exact price depends on various factors, including the property's size, complexity, and existing fire safety provisions. The local firm we connect you with will provide a precise quote after reviewing your specific requirements.
Are you the people who will carry out the assessment?
No, we are an enquiry service. Our role is to connect you with local, competent firms who specialise in fire risk assessments for HMOs. You provide us with your details, we pass them to a suitable local firm, and they will then contact you directly to discuss your needs and provide a quote. You will deal with that firm for the actual 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.