Fire Risk Assessment
A House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) can be a solid investment for any landlord or property investor. Whether you already own an HMO, or you’re thinking about making a purchase, it’s vital that you’re in the know when it comes to the regulations that apply.
A property is an HMO if it has at least three tenants who constitute more than one household living there. Those tenants must also share a bathroom, kitchen or toilet for the property to be considered an HMO.
Whilst all rental properties come with their fair share of compliance requirements – safety certificates, risk assessment recommendations, and remedial works to name just a few – HMOs can be an altogether different kettle of fish.
What is a Fire Risk Assessment?
Primarily governed by both the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Housing Act 2004, a Fire Risk Assessment involves identifying any fire hazards that may exist at the HMO property. It will also look at what steps have been, or will be taken to reduce the risks those hazards pose.
Some of the hazards might include:
✔️ Defective and faulty electrical appliances. This is why PAT testing is always a worthwhile investment.
✔️ Escape routes.
✔️ Emergency lighting requirements and signage.
✔️ Dangerous or hazardous substances.
Covering those parts of the HMO property that are shared (for example kitchens, stairwells and hallways), any Fire Risk Assessment should give particular consideration to those tenants who might be at special risk. This might include children, those with disabilities, and the elderly.
The Fire Safety Assessment – are you putting safety first?
As part of any Fire Safety Assessment, there’ll be an exploration of any general fire safety precautions that are already in place. Ask yourself:
❓ Does the property have visible no smoking signs?
❓ Are the escape routes clear and are the fire doors in good working order?
❓ Do the smoke detectors work and how recently were they tested? Safe2 can help with this. Simply call now to book.
❓ Does your HMO have fire extinguishers?
HMO Fire Risk Assessment – your duty as a landlord
There’s no specification under law about who is able to conduct a Fire Risk Assessment or how often it should be reviewed. The law states only that it should be carried out by someone who has the competency to provide a ‘suitable and sufficient’ assessment of the building, and that it should be reviewed ‘regularly. Ultimately, in a domestic and residential HMO, this responsibility will fall to you as the landlord.
You’ll need to review your Fire Safety Assessment if:
● There’s been a fire or some other reason that would invalidate it.
● Your building has undergone significant changes
Stay safe with Safe2
To ensure that your Fire Risk Assessment is carried out to the highest standard, why not let a Safe2 approved professional do it for you?
They’ll fully document every aspect of the assessment, and record any ‘significant findings’. They’ll also be able to advise when your Fire Safety Assessment should be reviewed, and make recommendations around how you can make your HMO as safe as possible.
When it comes to your HMO property, give yourself one less thing to think about.
