Are you a landlord or property manager with an HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupation)?
You’re required by UK fire safety legislation to have a Fire Risk Assessment of the property. This ensures the public are safe from fire risks.
If you manage or own an HMO, this blog post will give you everything you need to know about Fire Risk Assessments for HMOs.
Who is responsible for fire risk assessments of HMOs?
The person responsible for arranging a fire risk assessment can vary between HMOs; it could be the property/building owner, manager, or landlord. The responsibility does not lie with the tenants.
A competent person or a qualified fire risk assessor can conduct the assessment, however, this depends on the complexity and size of the building/premises.
How often do HMOs need fire risk assessments?
UK law mandates that fire risk assessments are renewed on a regular basis.
It’s required that reviews are conducted frequently, to ensure fire safety measures still meet legal requirements. However, there’s no legally specified timeframe in which an FRA or renewal must be conducted.
The assessor who conducted your previous assessment may have noted a time when the next assessment will be recommended. If so, the Responsible Person should comply with this recommendation.
Other circumstances which warrant an FRA review include:
- The occurrence of a fire on the premises
- Property extension
- Missing, damaged, or replaced fire safety equipment
Penalties for ignoring fire risk laws and legislation
As of October 23, it’s no longer enough for Responsible Persons to claim that they’ve done a fire risk assessment. They now must write down everything they’ve reviewed and their findings.
Failure to comply could lead to legal consequences such as a fine, prison sentences, or legal bans from managing or letting properties, as per the Housing Act (2004) and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (2005).
Are tenants also responsible for fire safety?
Tenants must be cautious about fire safety and report potential fire risks immediately. This includes avoiding smoking indoors and not overloading electrical.
However, tenants are NOT responsible for arranging for fire risk assessments or rectifying fire safety issues.
Property managers or landlords are responsible for ensuring tenants are aware of fire plans and escape routes.
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