HMORefurbishment

East Sussex, England

Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Brighton

We carry out escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Brighton, 47 miles south of London, working to the HMO rules that apply in England and to the council’s written HMO standards.

Refurbished staircase and landing with fire doors and emergency lighting forming a protected route

A protected escape route is the stair, landing and hall that lets everyone get out if there is a fire. Landlords in Brighton (BN1, BN2 and BN3) usually come to us with a council letter, a fire risk assessment or a house they have just bought. We price from whichever you have. With students as well as working sharers renting in Brighton, we plan bigger jobs for the gap between academic-year tenancies where we can.

Area
East Sussex, England
Postcodes
BN1, BN2 and BN3
Location
47 miles south of London
Council
Brighton & Hove City Council
Pricing region
South East

What do escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Brighton involve?

  • Glazing upgrades in doors and fanlights
  • Upgrading or boxing in under-stair cupboards
  • Emergency lighting to the route
  • Fire-resisting plasterboard to walls and ceilings
  • Fire stopping around pipes, cables and voids

Which rules apply in Brighton?

The rules below are the England-wide position for this kind of work. Councils add their own standards and schemes on top, so we always check the address in Brighton before we price.

  • Smoke alarms on every storey with living accommodation and CO alarms by fixed combustion appliances (other than gas cookers) are required by law.
  • A conversion can be a material change of use under the building regulations, so confirm with building control before work starts.
  • Under the Renters’ Rights Act, civil penalties reach £40,000 for offences such as running an unlicensed HMO.
  • The Fire Safety Order 2005 applies to the common parts of HMOs, enforced by the fire and rescue authority.

Brighton & Hove City Council: local HMO schemes

Article 4 (HMO)In force across the council area City-wide C3-C4 Article 4 Direction confirmed Jan 2020 and in force June 2020 (replaced the 2013 five-ward direction).
Additional licensingIn force across the council area Additional licensing across all 23 wards 1 Jul 2024-30 Jun 2029.
Selective licensingIn force in part of the council area Kemptown, Moulsecoomb & Bevendean, Queen's Park, Whitehawk & Marina 2 Sep 2024-1 Sep 2029. Central Hove & Regency designation (made 6 Jul 2026, due 20 Oct 2026) is paused pending a legal challenge.

Schemes change. Check the council’s current pages for the exact address in Brighton before you buy or start work. Source: Brighton & Hove City Council HMO licensing page, checked 2026-10-31.

How much do escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping cost in Brighton?

ItemUK typicalLocal guidePer
Protected route upgrades: fire-resisting linings, fire stopping, lighting (three-storey house, our estimate)£2,000 – £6,000£2,250 – £6,700house
Emergency light fitting, installed (our estimate)£150 – £350£170 – £390fitting
FD30S fire door leaf into an existing frame, with seals, closer and hinges, fitted£300 – £600£340 – £670door

Prices in Brighton are shown with our regional adjustment for South East (above the UK average). Your quote is itemised and fixed in writing once the scope and specification are agreed.

How long does it take?

Typical time on site: 3–8 working days. We agree the programme with you before starting and send photo updates as the work progresses.

For student houses in Brighton, booking by spring is the safest way to make the summer gap.

When do Brighton landlords need it?

We usually get the call when:

  • A fire risk assessment action list
  • Three-storey and larger HMOs

Questions about escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Brighton

Why do you photograph the fire stopping?

Because it is hidden once the work is finished. Photos are evidence for you, the council and future surveys.

Do you cover all of Brighton?

Yes. We work across Brighton and the BN1, BN2 and BN3 postcode areas, plus the rest of East Sussex. Nearby places we also cover include Hove, Portslade, Rottingdean.

Which council covers HMOs in Brighton?

Brighton is covered by Brighton & Hove City Council. We read the council’s written HMO standards before pricing, and you should check the licence position for the exact address.

How much do escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping cost in Brighton?

Our guide ranges for South East are in the table on this page, and the guide-price tool gives a figure for your house. A fixed written quote follows a free site visit.

Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping near Brighton

Other HMO services in Brighton

Planning HMO works?

Free site visit, then a fixed written quote itemised against your council’s standards.

CallGet a quote