LE2 · Stoneygate
HMO Fire Risk Assessment
in Stoneygate
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.
For property owners, landlords, and managers in Stoneygate, understanding the requirements for an HMO fire risk assessment in Stoneygate is an important part of managing your responsibilities. The LE2 postcode district, particularly areas like Stoneygate, is characterised by large Victorian and Edwardian villas. Many of these properties have been converted into flats or shared houses, often alongside the Allandale Road shopping parade, dental and medical premises. These conversions frequently fall under the definition of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) due to their occupancy arrangements. A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement for these types of properties to ensure the safety of residents. It helps identify potential fire hazards and outlines necessary preventative and protective measures. A HMO fire risk assessment in Stoneygate typically costs £160 to £420 per property. This figure depends on the specific characteristics of the building, and the precise quote will be provided by the local firm we put you in touch with. This service connects you with local fire safety firms experienced in conducting these assessments for properties similar to those found in Stoneygate.
What an HMO fire risk assessment covers
An HMO fire risk assessment involves a detailed examination of the property to identify fire hazards and risks to people. 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 coverage. The condition of fire doors to bedrooms and along the escape route is also a key consideration. Furthermore, the assessment will differentiate between properties with a shared house layout and those containing fully self-contained flats, as each presents different risk profiles and requirements. The assessor who contacts you will consider these elements when preparing their quote and conducting the assessment.
How the enquiry works
- You send us the details of your property and your requirements.
- We pass these details to a local fire safety firm that is able to assist with HMO fire risk assessments in Stoneygate.
- That firm will contact you directly to discuss your needs and provide a quotation for their services.
- You then deal directly with the fire safety firm for the assessment work. We are an enquiry service, not the assessor, and do not carry out the work ourselves.
The legal position for HMO fire safety
As a duty holder for an HMO in Stoneygate, you are legally obliged to ensure the safety of your residents from fire. The primary legislation governing fire safety in the common parts of an HMO is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This order mandates that a responsible person must carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. Beyond this, the Housing Act 2004, enforced by the local housing authority, also places significant responsibilities on HMO landlords, particularly through the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), which includes fire safety as a key hazard.
The guidance that fire risk assessments are normally carried out against includes LACORS national fire safety guidance for existing housing, which provides practical advice for fire safety in residential properties, and BS 5839-6, the standard for fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises. For a shared house HMO, this often translates to a Grade D LD2 fire alarm system.
An HMO landlord or manager must hold a current fire risk assessment. For properties subject to mandatory HMO licensing, this is a condition of the licence. The local council can serve improvement or prohibition notices if fire safety standards are not met. Failure to comply with fire safety legislation can lead to serious consequences, including unlimited fines and banning orders for landlords. It is crucial that the assessment is carried out by a competent person. This page provides general information and is not specific advice for your building. Enforcement of fire safety regulations in Stoneygate 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?
Yes, if you own or manage an HMO, you are legally required to have a fire risk assessment. This applies to all HMOs, regardless of whether they are licensed or not. The assessment identifies fire hazards and risks, and outlines the measures needed to keep residents safe. This is a core responsibility under fire safety legislation.
What alarm grade does an HMO need?
The required fire alarm grade for an HMO typically depends on the property's size and layout. For shared houses, a Grade D LD2 system, as outlined in BS 5839-6, is commonly recommended. For more complex properties or those with self-contained flats, a higher grade or different category may be necessary. The assessor who contacts you will advise on the appropriate system.
Do bedroom doors have to be fire doors?
In many HMOs, particularly those with shared facilities or a common escape route, bedroom doors are required to be fire doors. This is to contain a fire within a room for a specified period, protecting the escape route and allowing residents to evacuate safely. The condition and specification of these doors will be checked during the assessment.
How often does a licensed HMO need one?
A fire risk assessment for an HMO should be reviewed regularly and updated whenever there are significant changes to the property, its use, or the occupants. While there's no fixed legal period, annual reviews are common, and for licensed HMOs, the licensing conditions may specify review frequencies. The assessor will advise on suitable review periods.
What does the council actually check?
When inspecting an HMO, the council, particularly under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), will check for fire safety provisions. This includes verifying that a current fire risk assessment is in place, assessing the adequacy of fire alarms, escape routes, fire doors, and fire-fighting equipment. They also look at management procedures for fire safety.
How much does an HMO fire risk assessment cost?
An HMO fire risk assessment in Stoneygate typically costs between £160 and £420 per property. This price varies based on factors such as the size and complexity of the building, the number of units or bedrooms, and the existing fire safety provisions. The local firm we connect you with will provide a specific quote tailored to your property.
Are you the people who do the assessment?
No, we are an enquiry service. We do not carry out fire risk assessments ourselves. Our role is to connect you with a local, experienced fire safety firm that is able to conduct an HMO fire risk assessment in Stoneygate. Once we pass on your details, that firm will contact you directly to discuss your needs and provide their services.
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.