An HMO fire alarm is an interlinked system of smoke and heat detectors that sounds everywhere in the house when one detector triggers. Landlords in Cambridge (CB21, CB22, CB23 and CB24) 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. Cambridge has a university population, so many shared houses are let to students on yearly tenancies, and summer is the main window for works.
- Area
- Cambridgeshire, England
- Postcodes
- CB21, CB22, CB23 and CB24
- Location
- 30 miles south-east of Peterborough
- Council
- Cambridge City Council
- Pricing region
- East of England
What do fire alarm and detection systems in Cambridge involve?
- Carbon monoxide alarms where needed
- Detection in rooms, kitchens and escape routes as specified
- Maintenance and testing visits
- User instructions and a logbook
- Commissioning and certificate
Which rules apply in Cambridge?
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 Cambridge before we price.
- The Fire Safety Order 2005 applies to the common parts of HMOs, enforced by the fire and rescue authority.
- Licences last up to 5 years and carry conditions on gas and electrical safety, alarms, room sizes and waste.
- Electrical installations must be inspected and tested at least every 5 years; remedial work is due within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so.
- Smoke alarms on every storey with living accommodation and CO alarms by fixed combustion appliances (other than gas cookers) are required by law.
Cambridge City Council: local HMO schemes
| Article 4 (HMO) | Proposed No small-HMO Article 4 direction in force; after a 2026 petition the council said (July 2026) it is building the case for one. No direction made yet. |
|---|---|
| Additional licensing | No scheme found |
| Selective licensing | No scheme found |
Schemes change. Check the council’s current pages for the exact address in Cambridge before you buy or start work. Source: Cambridge City Council HMO licensing page, checked 2026-10-31.
How much do fire alarm and detection systems cost in Cambridge?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides) | £800 – £2,000 | £850 – £2,100 | house |
| Panel alarm system (Grade A type), larger HMO | £1,750 – £4,500 | £1,850 – £4,750 | house |
| Emergency light fitting, installed (our estimate) | £150 – £350 | £160 – £370 | fitting |
Prices in Cambridge are shown with our regional adjustment for East of England (above the UK average). Your quote is itemised and fixed in writing once the scope and specification are agreed.
How long does it take?
Allow 1–4 working days on site for a typical job. Drawings, approvals and long-lead items such as kitchens or fire door sets are booked before we start.
For student houses in Cambridge, booking by spring is the safest way to make the summer gap.
When do Cambridge landlords need it?
Typical reasons for this work in Cambridge:
- A licence condition or inspection finding
- No alarm, or battery-only alarms
Questions about fire alarm and detection systems in Cambridge
Are battery smoke alarms enough?
For most HMOs, no. Interlinked mains-powered detection is usually expected so everyone is warned wherever the fire starts.
How far do you travel from Cambridge?
We cover the whole of Cambridgeshire and work UK-wide. For Cambridge the nearest towns on our list are Newmarket (13 miles), Ely (15 miles), Huntingdon (16 miles).
Which council covers HMOs in Cambridge?
Cambridge is covered by Cambridge 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 fire alarm and detection systems cost in Cambridge?
Our guide ranges for East of England 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.
Fire alarm and detection systems near Cambridge
- Newmarket · 13 mi
- Ely · 15 mi
- Huntingdon · 16 mi
- Haverhill · 16 mi
- Saint Neots · 16 mi
- Letchworth Garden City · 21 mi
- All of Cambridgeshire
Other HMO services in Cambridge
- HMO fire safety upgrades in Cambridge
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Cambridge
- Fire doors in Cambridge
- Rewires and EICR remedials in Cambridge
- Licence condition and schedule-of-works in Cambridge
- House to HMO conversion in Cambridge
- Sound insulation in Cambridge
- Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Cambridge