HMOs, or houses in multiple occupation, comprise numerous unrelated tenants in one property. This results in added responsibility for HMO landlords to ensure the safety and comfort of their tenants in such properties. One of the most important is ensuring fire safety and adhering to fire safety precautions.
The initial legal requirements were originally set out in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Compliance must be managed by a responsible person, usually the landlord or managing agent.
In January 2023, these were enhanced with the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 which apply to any residential building with above-ground storeys that contain two or more domestic dwellings or rooms that are to be used for residential purposes. The regulations cover common areas that would be used as escape routes in an emergency – ranging from flat entrance doors to corridors, stairways and other areas used by tenants.
- Check the requirements for your fire doors
The regulations stipulate the fixture and correct use of self-closing fire doors to help prevent fire spreading. You’ll need to fit the correct doors with the appropriate fire resistance for your property – which starts at a minimum of 30 minutes’ fire resistance but ranges to an hour.
- Check smoke alarms regularly
Smoke alarms must be fitted as part of your HMO licence requirement and tested regularly. Your tenants should check that they are working properly but it’s also your responsibility to test them as part of your regular property inspections.
- Install the correct fire alarm for your property
Fire alarms are another must-have in an HMO property and you’ll need different graded alarms depending upon the size of your property. These are wired-in but you should also regularly replace the backup batteries for the system in case of a mains failure.
- Place fire blankets in kitchens or rooms with cooking facilities
Fire blankets will quickly and effectively extinguish flames from a pan-fire by cutting off the fire’s oxygen supply. Remind your tenants that they are there and how to use them and ask them to inform you if they have been used and need replacing.
With an outright smoking ban now on the cards by Labour, smoking is getting more anti-social than ever. Banning it in your property could attract more tenants, as well as reduce the risk of fires started by a mislaid cigarette.
All landlords have a legal requirement for an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) which must be updated every five years at least. Organising PAT testing on any appliances you provide will also help to reduce risk.
- Ensure furniture is fire-safe
Any furniture and furnishings that you provide must also be fire-safe. New items will carry a permanent label that confirms the product meets ignition-resistant requirements.
- Consider emergency escape lighting
This may depend on the size of your property but installing emergency escape lighting will help tenants to find their way out easily in the event of a fire.
- Review risk assessments regularly
As part of your regular property inspections reassess fire safety risks. Check that escape routes remain clear and that tenants aren’t blocking hallways with bikes for example, or overloading electrical sockets.
- Get the experts in
While checklists like this are helpful nothing beats expert advice. Consider getting an independent fire risk assessment of your property to ensure all risks are reduced.
We Can Help
At Progressive Lets we are experts in the rental market in the Peterborough area and help landlords find and manage properties within a 50-mile radius. Get in touch to find out more.
