HMO Fire Risk Assessments

Fire safety duties for HMO landlords

If you own or manage a House in Multiple Occupation, you carry duties under both housing legislation and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. A suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is central to demonstrating compliance — and local authority licensing teams routinely expect to see one as part of any HMO licence application or renewal.

HMOs present elevated fire risk by their nature: multiple households sharing escape routes, cooking in individual rooms or shared kitchens, variable tenant behaviour, and — in converted properties — building layouts that were never designed for multiple occupation. Enforcement activity in this sector is consistent and well-resourced.

What we assess

• Means of escape — protected routes, travel distances, final exits openable without a key
• Fire-resisting construction — doors, walls and floors separating units from escape routes
• Fire detection and alarm — grade and category against BS 5839-6, appropriate to the size and layout
• Emergency lighting on escape routes where required
• Firefighting equipment provision
• Kitchens and high-risk rooms
• Management arrangements — testing regimes, maintenance records, tenant information

Our methodology

Assessments are conducted with reference to PAS 79 and BS 9792:2025, alongside LACORS housing fire safety guidance and the standards applied by Welsh licensing authorities. Reports clearly identify what is adequate, what requires improvement, the priority of each action and a realistic timescale — written to be understood by landlords and letting agents, not just fire professionals.

Pricing

HMO assessments start from £325 for smaller properties, with larger HMOs quoted individually based on size and complexity. Portfolio rates available for landlords and agents with multiple properties.