In short: HMO fire safety upgrades bring a shared house up to the fire standard its size and layout need. We carry this out across East Lothian, priced against the HMO rules for Scotland and the council’s own standards.
- Nation
- Scotland
- Pricing region
- Scotland
- Postcode areas
- EH, TD
- Main towns
- Musselburgh
What do HMO fire safety upgrades in East Lothian involve?
- Fire-resisting linings to the escape route
- Fire stopping of service holes
- Commissioning certificates and a handover pack
- Works priced against your fire risk assessment
- Interlinked smoke and heat detection
- Fire doors with closers and seals
Which rules apply in East Lothian?
- Councils set HMO fire standards through licence conditions, often including emergency lighting in larger HMOs.
- Every HMO needs a council licence: 3 or more people who are not all from one or two families, sharing basic amenities. Licences last up to 3 years.
- A building warrant may be needed for a change of use or for installing a fire alarm system; check with the council’s building standards service.
- Landlords must also be on the Scottish landlord register, renewed every 3 years.
Scottish councils set their own HMO licence standards and planning policies. Every HMO needs a licence, so check the council’s standards before you design the layout.
How much do HMO fire safety upgrades cost in East Lothian?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides) | £800 – £2,000 | £760 – £1,900 | house |
| Panel alarm system (Grade A type), larger HMO | £1,750 – £4,500 | £1,650 – £4,300 | house |
| FD30S fire door leaf into an existing frame, with seals, closer and hinges, fitted | £300 – £600 | £280 – £570 | door |
| New FD30S fire doorset with frame, fitted | £600 – £1,300 | £570 – £1,250 | door |
| Protected route upgrades: fire-resisting linings, fire stopping, lighting (three-storey house, our estimate) | £2,000 – £6,000 | £1,900 – £5,700 | house |
Typical time on site: 3–10 working days. For a figure for your house, try the guide-price tool.
HMO fire safety upgrades by town in East Lothian
Questions about HMO fire safety upgrades in East Lothian
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 all doors need to be fire doors?
Not always. Guidance usually focuses on doors to rooms that open onto the escape route. The assessment sets out which doors need upgrading.
Do you carry out HMO fire safety upgrades across East Lothian?
Yes, across the whole of East Lothian, including Musselburgh.
Who licenses HMOs in East Lothian?
East Lothian council licenses HMOs in its area. Every HMO in Scotland needs a licence.
Other HMO services in East Lothian
- Fire alarm and detection systems in East Lothian
- Fire doors in East Lothian
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in East Lothian
- Licence condition and schedule-of-works in East Lothian
- Rewires and EICR remedials in East Lothian
- Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in East Lothian
- Commercial and above-shop to HMO in East Lothian
- Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in East Lothian