Publications and guidance for landlords and private tenants on fire safety in Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
Find out about your duties under fire safety law.
New Fire Safety Law
New fire safety regulations came into force on 1 October 2006.
The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has published an introductory booklet and a guidance document for landlords.
Fire Safety Risk Assessment Guide 3 - Sleeping Accommodation is now available either to download free of charge, or to purchase a printed copy.
The guide tells you what you have to do to comply with fire safety law, helps you to carry out a fire risk assessment and identifies the general fire precautions you need to have in place.
Sleeping accommodation includes the common areas of houses in multiple occupation, flats and maisonettes.
General Advice
Properties vary so much that you should consult the council's Private Housing Team in Environmental Health before wasting money doing unnecessary or inappropriate work.
Fire precautions are intended to prevent the start of fires where possible, give early warning and provide a safe and speedy exit route for the residents.
Depending on the individual property, you are likely to be required to provide:
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a hard-wired (not battery) smoke detection and alarm system
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half hour fire doors on all rooms leading onto the main staircase
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a self-closer on the door to any shared kitchen (one of the most common places for a fire to start)
Fire blankets may be required, and in some circumstances you may be asked to provide emergency lighting.
All main entrance doors must be openable from the inside without a key.
More Information
The need for fire precautions for licensed HMOs is specified in regulations under the Housing Act 2004. For more guidance when applying for a licence see Related Pages.
Tenants can get fire safety advice about living in rented accommodation from the Fire Kills website, including questions to ask your landlord and a free leaflet to download: Fire Safety for People in Shared or Rented Accommodation - see Other Websites.
See also the guide for landlords and tenants on how to reduce false alarms from fire detection and warning equipment, available to download from the DCLG website.
You can download Fire Protection Guidance Notes published by the council's Environmental Health service below.
