HMO fire safety upgrades bring a shared house up to the fire standard its size and layout need. In Christchurch, a town of about 31,000 people in Dorset, the work is planned around the HMO rules for England and the council’s written HMO standards.
- Area
- Dorset, England
- Postcodes
- BH6 and BH23
- Location
- 20 miles south-west of Southampton
- Pricing region
- South West
What do HMO fire safety upgrades in Christchurch involve?
- Works priced against your fire risk assessment
- Fire stopping of service holes
- Emergency lighting where needed
- Fire-resisting linings to the escape route
- Thumb-turn locks on exit doors
Which rules apply in Christchurch?
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 Christchurch before we price.
- The Fire Safety Order 2005 applies to the common parts of HMOs, enforced by the fire and rescue authority.
- Mandatory HMO licence for 5 or more people in 2 or more households (since October 2018); councils can add additional licensing for smaller HMOs.
- Building regulations cover structural changes, new partitions, ensuite drainage, fire-resisting construction and notifiable electrical work.
- Smoke alarms on every storey with living accommodation and CO alarms by fixed combustion appliances (other than gas cookers) are required by law.
How much do HMO fire safety upgrades cost in Christchurch?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides) | £800 – £2,000 | £830 – £2,100 | house |
| Panel alarm system (Grade A type), larger HMO | £1,750 – £4,500 | £1,800 – £4,700 | house |
| FD30S fire door leaf into an existing frame, with seals, closer and hinges, fitted | £300 – £600 | £310 – £620 | door |
| New FD30S fire doorset with frame, fitted | £600 – £1,300 | £620 – £1,350 | door |
| Protected route upgrades: fire-resisting linings, fire stopping, lighting (three-storey house, our estimate) | £2,000 – £6,000 | £2,100 – £6,250 | house |
Use these as a starting point for budgeting. Access, condition and the council’s requirements in Christchurch can move the figure either way, which is why we quote after seeing the house.
How long does it take?
Most jobs of this kind take 3–10 working days. If a council deadline applies in Christchurch, tell us at the first call so the programme is built around it.
When do Christchurch landlords need it?
We usually get the call when:
- A council inspection or licence condition
- A fire risk assessment has listed actions
Questions about HMO fire safety upgrades in Christchurch
Who writes the fire risk assessment?
You arrange it, through a competent assessor. We price and carry out the works it recommends and give you the evidence.
Do you cover all of Christchurch?
Yes. We work across Christchurch and the BH6 and BH23 postcode areas, plus the rest of Dorset. Nearby places we also cover include Bournemouth, New Milton, Poole.
Does a shared house in Christchurch need an HMO licence?
In England, a mandatory licence is needed for 5 or more people from 2 or more households. Smaller HMOs can need a licence where the council runs additional licensing, which is common in towns with many shared houses. Check the council’s website for the address.
How much do HMO fire safety upgrades cost in Christchurch?
Our guide ranges for South West 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.
HMO fire safety upgrades near Christchurch
- Bournemouth · 4 mi
- New Milton · 5 mi
- Poole · 9 mi
- Totton · 18 mi
- Hythe · 19 mi
- Southampton · 20 mi
- All of Dorset
Other HMO services in Christchurch
- Fire alarm and detection systems in Christchurch
- Fire doors in Christchurch
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Christchurch
- Licence condition and schedule-of-works in Christchurch
- Rewires and EICR remedials in Christchurch
- Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Christchurch
- Shared bathroom and shower room refits in Christchurch
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in Christchurch