HMO fire safety upgrades across Greater London

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 Greater London, priced against the HMO rules for England and the council’s own standards.

Nation: England
Pricing region: London
Postcode areas: W, E, SW, SE
Main towns: London, Brent, Islington, City of Westminster, Bexley

What do HMO fire safety upgrades in Greater London involve?

Interlinked smoke and heat detection
Commissioning certificates and a handover pack
Fire stopping of service holes
Thumb-turn locks on exit doors
Works priced against your fire risk assessment
Fire doors with closers and seals

Which rules apply in Greater London?

The Fire Safety Order 2005 applies to the common parts of HMOs, enforced by the fire and rescue authority.
Under the Renters’ Rights Act, civil penalties reach £40,000 for offences such as running an unlicensed HMO.
A conversion can be a material change of use under the building regulations, so confirm with building control before work starts.
Smoke alarms on every storey with living accommodation and CO alarms by fixed combustion appliances (other than gas cookers) are required by law.
Licences last up to 5 years and carry conditions on gas and electrical safety, alarms, room sizes and waste.

Councils in England can add additional licensing and Article 4 directions on top of the national rules. Check the council’s website for the exact address before you buy or start work.

How much do HMO fire safety upgrades cost in Greater London?

Regional adjustment for London. Planning budgets: see our prices page.
Item	UK typical	Local guide	Per
Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides)	£800 – £2,000	£1,000 – £2,550	house
Panel alarm system (Grade A type), larger HMO	£1,750 – £4,500	£2,250 – £5,750	house
FD30S fire door leaf into an existing frame, with seals, closer and hinges, fitted	£300 – £600	£380 – £770	door
New FD30S fire doorset with frame, fitted	£600 – £1,300	£770 – £1,650	door
Protected route upgrades: fire-resisting linings, fire stopping, lighting (three-storey house, our estimate)	£2,000 – £6,000	£2,550 – £7,700	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 Greater London

Questions about HMO fire safety upgrades in Greater London

Can you upgrade existing doors?

Sometimes, if the door and frame are sound. Often a certified fire door set is the cheaper and more reliable option.

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 carry out HMO fire safety upgrades across Greater London?

Yes, across the whole of Greater London, including London, Brent, Islington.

Who licenses HMOs in Greater London?

HMOs in Greater London are licensed by the local council for the address. Where an area has several councils, each runs its own licensing and planning policies.