HMO fire safety upgrades across Wiltshire

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

Nation: England
Pricing region: South West
Postcode areas: SN, SP, BA, RG
Main towns: Swindon, Salisbury, Trowbridge, Chippenham

What do HMO fire safety upgrades in Wiltshire involve?

Thumb-turn locks on exit doors
Interlinked smoke and heat detection
Works priced against your fire risk assessment
Fire doors with closers and seals
Fire-resisting linings to the escape route
Emergency lighting where needed

Which rules apply in Wiltshire?

Fire precautions follow a risk assessment; the LACORS Housing – Fire Safety guide (2008) is guidance, not law, but many councils base their standards on it.
Mandatory HMO licence for 5 or more people in 2 or more households (since October 2018); councils can add additional licensing for smaller HMOs.
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.
The Fire Safety Order 2005 applies to the common parts of HMOs, enforced by the fire and rescue authority.

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 Wiltshire?

Regional adjustment for South West. 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	£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

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 Wiltshire

Questions about HMO fire safety upgrades in Wiltshire

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.

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 Wiltshire?

Yes, across the whole of Wiltshire, including Swindon, Salisbury, Trowbridge.

Who licenses HMOs in Wiltshire?

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