Fire Safety Regulations for HMO's - have you filled in your Risk Assessment?

The latest news from some local authorities is that the local fire service or safety office WILL NOT check your licensed HMO in the future.

The new rule is that you as the landlord need to fill in a 20 page fire risk assessment that you could be asked to produce during ‘spot checks’ or will have to produce, surprisingly, should a fire take place!

Speaking to Paul Collins from Belvoir! we asked whether they thought this ‘new’ ruling was a good idea or not, Paul commented:-

     “The responsibility of the Fire Risk Assessment was removed from the Fire and Rescue Services to the Landlord or Responsible Person. The document will have around 20 pages and will go into immense detail and some knowledge of Fire Safety would help!  This document will be used when LA’s carry out Audits (these audits will entail the Fire and Rescue Services making a visit to check the property!) of HMO’s or when there is a fire.  It is a great shame  the Government does not take Fire Safety of HMO’s as a high priority”

For more information about Fire Risk Assessments visit:-

http://www.firesafe.org.uk/html/premises/hmos.htm

and

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/fire/pdf/151102.pdf
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/fire/pdf/150967.pdf
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/fire/pdf/144236.pdf

If you have a rental or property investment question that you need an answer to, contact us or tel 0845 838 1763 for an independent answer.