Updating post from Reddit.
I'm looking at turning my place into a HMO as I am moving overseas and the building was historically one, it is setup layoutwise specifically for this, but of course safety standards have changed a lot.
I contacted two local companies that do fire safety inspections, one quoted £330 and the other quoted £700 for a fire safety inspection & report.
But once I have the report, which is likely to say stuff like fire doors need replacing or lighting needs improving, I am not sure how best to do that work since the companies don't seem to actually do the work, they just do the reports.
I'm also baffled by the massive difference in price, or if I need to ask them to produce something in addition to help me ensure everything is safe and compliant.
Any suggestions?
Local rules, local fire service rules and regs and stick rigidly to laws
Google your local councils requirements and then send them an email and ask them.
We have had some issues with our tenant and were accused of running an illegal HMO. Our tenant had broken up with his girlfriend and had done lord knows what during that but it wasn’t an HMO. The council enforcement guy came to inspect and then gave us a list of things we could do to bring it to HMO standard.
Similar with my late parents property, which is an HMO. When we were setting it up, one of the planning team came by to do some checks and gave us a list of things that needed doing.
And yes it is stuff like lighting and doors but you are better off looking into it yourself and paying that money toward the work rather than on a report which doesn’t really achieve anything as they could still miss stuff!
Fair point, I have the document outlining the requirements - think I can do most of it myself, but I don't know anything about fire doors. It has fire doors, at the moment, but they're likely from 2006 and thus might not be valid, and lack any certification marks.
Bewildering, but you can do the fire risk assessment yourself to save money. Under £300 is typical for a fire risk assessment, in my opinion.
Speak with the housing officers at your local council, have them visit, and talk through the process: they are human and will help you adhere to best practice.
Fire safety and smart low maintenance communal living set up is priority with an HMO. Also, get a cleaner to attend once a week or each two weeks. You or your agent will need to be quite hands-on as with 5+ somewhat non committed occupants things need attention regularly.