Question 1

Is a fire risk assessment a legal requirement for landlords?

Accepted Answer

Yes — if you rent out any property in the UK, you are legally required to carry out a fire risk assessment and keep a written record of it. This applies to HMOs, flats, holiday lets, and Airbnbs. The only exception is a single private home occupied solely by the owner. Even if you only let out a spare room, the law applies to you.

Question 2

What happens if I don't have a fire risk assessment?

Accepted Answer

Not having one is a criminal offence. Landlords can face an unlimited fine or up to two years in prison. Councils can also issue improvement notices forcing you to fix fire safety issues, or prohibition orders that stop you letting the property altogether until they're resolved. It's one of the most serious compliance failures a landlord can make.

Question 3

Do I need a fire risk assessment for an HMO?

Accepted Answer

Yes — it's a legal requirement. Any HMO, whether licensed or not, must have a written fire risk assessment carried out by a competent person. Your local council will ask to see it as part of the HMO licensing process, and they can inspect at any time. FRASafe is built specifically for HMO landlords, with questions aligned to BS 9792:2025 and the LACORS Housing Fire Safety Guide.

Question 4

Do I need a fire risk assessment for a holiday let or Airbnb?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Holiday lets and short-term rentals are treated as non-domestic premises under UK fire safety law, which means the same obligations apply as for any other rental property. If guests sleep at your property, you need a written fire risk assessment. FRASafe includes a dedicated holiday let assessment with questions tailored to the specific risks of short-term occupancy.

Question 5

How much does a fire risk assessment cost?

Accepted Answer

It depends on how you do it. A professional fire risk assessor typically charges anywhere from £150 to £500+ depending on the size and complexity of the property. With FRASafe, the assessment itself is free to complete — you only pay £45 to download your PDF report. For most landlords with straightforward HMOs or holiday lets, that's all you need.

Question 6

Can I do a fire risk assessment myself, or do I need a professional?

Accepted Answer

You can carry out your own fire risk assessment if you are a competent person with sufficient knowledge of fire hazards, current legislation, and the specific requirements for your property type. FRASafe guides you through a structured set of questions covering every area required by law, so you don't need to be a fire safety expert to produce a thorough, compliant assessment.

Question 7

How often does a fire risk assessment need to be reviewed?

Accepted Answer

A fire risk assessment must be reviewed at least once a year. You should also review it sooner if there has been a significant change to the property — such as building works, a change in tenants, or a fire or near-miss incident. FRASafe sends annual review reminders so you never miss a deadline.

Question 8

Is FRASafe's assessment legally compliant?

Accepted Answer

Yes. FRASafe is aligned with BS 9792:2025, the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and the LACORS Housing – Fire Safety Guide — the document used by councils and fire authorities to determine what is required for different HMO types. The PDF report meets the written record requirement under the RRO 2005 and is accepted by local councils for HMO licensing.

Fire Risk Assessment

HMO / Licensed Property

Airbnb Host / Holiday Let

Book an In-Person Assessor

How it works

Complete the assessment

Review findings & action plan

Download your PDF report

Built for HMO landlords and managers

BS 9792:2025

Council-ready PDF

Works offline

Annual review reminders

Simple pricing

Free HMO Fire Risk Assessment Checklist

Frequently asked questions

Start your HMO fire risk assessment today