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Fire safety blog

Plain-English fire safety for landlords.

The law, licensing, alarms, fire doors and the practical stuff. Written for people who let property, not fire engineers.

HMO

HMO Fire Risk Assessment vs Fire Safety Certificate: What's the Difference?

There is no UK fire safety certificate. HMO landlords need a written fire risk assessment under the RRO 2005. Here's the difference and what councils expect.

6 min read read · 20 June 2026
HMO

Does My HMO Need a Fire Risk Assessment?

Yes, every HMO needs a written fire risk assessment under the RRO 2005. Find out which HMOs count, why licensing is irrelevant, and what the law now requires.

·2026
HMO

Emergency Lighting in HMOs: What Landlords Are Required to Provide

HMO emergency lighting isn't a one-time install. Learn when it's legally required, what BS 5266-1:2016 demands, and the testing cycle you must document.

·2026
Small business

Building Safety Act 2022: Why Every Business Owner Now Needs a Written Fire Risk Assessment

Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 requires all businesses to record their fire risk assessment in full. The 5-employee exemption ended October 2023.

·2026
Small business

Does My Small Business Need a Fire Risk Assessment?

Every small business needs a fire risk assessment under the RRO 2005. Find out why the 5-employee exemption no longer applies and what you must do now.

·2026
Small business

Fire Risk Assessment for Small Businesses: Your Legal Obligations Under the RRO 2005

Every small business must have a written fire risk assessment under the RRO 2005. Learn who the responsible person is and what enforcement really looks like.

·2026
HMO

The Renters' Rights Act 2025: What HMO Landlords Need to Know About Fire Safety

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 raises civil penalties to £40,000 and introduces a landlord database. What it means for HMO fire safety compliance.

·2026
HMO

Fire Escape Routes in HMOs: Legal Requirements & Common Mistakes

HMO escape routes must stay clear at all times under RRO 2005, not just on assessment day. What the law requires and a quarterly check routine.

·2026
Holiday lets

What Fire Safety Documents Do You Need to Register Your Short-Term Let in 2026?

The 5 fire safety documents every Airbnb and holiday let host needs for England's 2026 STL registration, and the one you can complete today.

·2026
HMO

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005: What Every HMO Landlord Must Know

The RRO 2005 applies to every HMO with shared communal areas. Here's what it requires, who is responsible, and what fire authorities can do if you don't comply.

·2026
Holiday lets

How to Get a Fire Risk Assessment for Your Airbnb or Holiday Cottage

Professional, online tool, or DIY? Here's how to get a fire risk assessment for your Airbnb or holiday let — and which route is right for your property.

·2026
HMO

Can I Complete My Fire Risk Assessment Online? What HMO Landlords Need to Know

Can you complete a fire risk assessment online? Yes — and it's legally valid. Here's what the RRO 2005 requires, what a compliant tool must cover, and how FRASafe works.

·2026
HMO

Smoke Alarms & CO Detectors in HMOs: What the Law Requires

Smoke alarm and CO detector requirements for HMO landlords in England — Grade D1 vs Grade A systems, kitchen heat alarms, CO rules, and the £5,000 penalty for non-compliance.

·2026
HMO

What Happens If You Don't Have a Fire Risk Assessment for Your HMO?

What happens if you don't have a fire risk assessment for your HMO? Unlimited fines, imprisonment, licence revocation, and rent repayment orders — five consequences explained.

·2026
HMO

HMO Fire Door Regulations: Requirements, Compliance & What Landlords Must Know

Everything HMO landlords need to know about fire door regulations: FD30 ratings, self-closers, intumescent strips, gap requirements, and inspection rules.

·2026
HMO

BS 9792:2025 Fire Risk Assessment Types Explained: Which Does Your HMO Need?

BS 9792:2025 defines four types of fire risk assessment for HMOs. Most landlords need Type 1 — here's how to tell which one applies to your property.

·2026
Holiday lets

The 90-Night Rule and Fire Safety: What Short-Term Let Hosts Get Wrong

The 90-night rule is a planning exemption, not a fire safety one. Short-term let hosts owe full RRO 2005 duties from their very first paying guest.

·2026
HMO

Can I Do My Own Fire Risk Assessment for an HMO?

Can an HMO landlord do their own fire risk assessment? Yes — the law permits it. Find out what competent means, what must be covered, and how to do it right.

·2026
Holiday lets

Self-Catering Fire Safety: 12-Point Host Checklist

A practical fire safety checklist for self-catering and holiday let operators — covering alarms, escape routes, guest information, log books, and legal certificates.

·2026
Holiday lets

Holiday Let Smoke Alarm and CO Alarm Requirements UK

What grade, coverage, and testing frequency does the law require for smoke and CO alarms in a holiday let? What HMSO guidance and the Smoke/CO Alarm Regs 2022 mandate.

·2026
Holiday lets

Furniture Fire Safety Regulations for Holiday Let Hosts

Providing non-compliant furniture in a holiday let is a criminal offence. What the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988 require and how to check compliance.

·2026
Holiday lets

The Complete Holiday Let Fire Risk Assessment Guide 2026

A practical guide to fire risk assessments for UK holiday let and self-catering property owners — what the law requires, what to assess, and how FRASafe makes compliance straightforward.

·2026
Holiday lets

England STL Registration Scheme 2026: Fire Safety Guide

The new STL registration scheme launching in 2026 requires hosts to self-certify compliance with fire safety law. Here's what that means and how to prepare before April.

·2026
Holiday lets

Airbnb Fire Safety Requirements for UK Hosts

What UK fire safety law actually requires Airbnb hosts to have in place — smoke alarms, CO detectors, escape routes, fire action notices, and a written fire risk assessment.

·2026
Holiday lets

Do I Need a Fire Risk Assessment for My Holiday Let?

Yes — and it's a legal duty, not optional. Here's why the RRO 2005 applies to every UK holiday let, what a compliant assessment must cover, and who counts as the responsible person.

·2026
HMO

How Often Does an HMO Need a Fire Risk Assessment?

The law does not specify an exact interval, but the RRO 2005 requires assessments to be kept up to date. Here's what that means in practice for HMO landlords.

·2025
HMO

Failing Your HMO Fire Risk Assessment Inspection

Councils and fire services can inspect your HMO at any time. Here's what happens if your fire risk assessment is found to be inadequate — and how to protect yourself.

·2025
HMO

HMO Licence Fire Risk Assessment Requirements by Council

A guide to how major UK councils approach fire risk assessment requirements for mandatory, additional, and selective HMO licensing — and what documents they accept.

·2025
HMO

How to Do Your Own HMO Fire Risk Assessment

The RRO 2005 allows a competent person to carry out their own fire risk assessment. Here's what self-assessment involves, and when you should bring in a qualified assessor.

·2025
HMO

Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 for HMO Landlords

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 introduced new duties for multi-occupied residential buildings. Here's what applies to HMOs and what landlords must have in place.

·2025
HMO

What Changed in BS 9792:2025 for HMO Landlords

The new British Standard for fire risk assessments came into force in 2025. Here's what changed, why it matters, and what HMO landlords need to do differently.

·2025
HMO

The Complete HMO Fire Risk Assessment Guide 2025

Everything HMO landlords and managers need to know about fire risk assessments — legal requirements, what assessors look for, and how to produce a compliant document.

·2025

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