North West
Cheshire East HMO fire safety requirements
Cheshire East publishes its own HMO fire safety standard, "Amenities and Facilities Standards in Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs): Guidance for Landlords and Agents" (Version 2.0, November 2020). It is based on the Homestamp standard, which 10 other councils use too.
Is a fire risk assessment needed for the licence?
Expected, but not sent in
The council's guidance talks about fire risk assessments, but it does not ask you to send one with your application. Fire safety law still says you need one.
Who can carry it out?
No rule on who writes it
The council does not say who must carry out the fire risk assessment, so a landlord can do it themselves, as long as it is done properly.
Which standard applies?
Amenities and Facilities Standards in Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs): Guidance for Landlords and Agents
Published Version 2.0, November 2020.
Read the council's document →When did we last check?
14 October 2026
We re-check every council's documents each month and update this page when they change.
What Cheshire East expects in 3 typical HMOs
Worked out from the council's own fire safety rules for three common kinds of HMO. Your house may need more or less depending on its layout, which is what a fire risk assessment is for.
2-storey shared house, 5 tenants
- Fire alarm system
- Grade D1, LD3
- Fire doors on bedrooms
- Not required
- Fire door on the kitchen
- Not required
- Protected escape route
- Not required
- Heat detector in the kitchen
- Required
- Emergency lighting
- Required
- Fire blanket in the kitchen
- Required
- Fire extinguishers
- Not required
3-storey shared house, 6 tenants
- Fire alarm system
- Grade D1, LD3
- Fire doors on bedrooms
- Required
- Fire door on the kitchen
- Required
- Protected escape route
- Required
- Heat detector in the kitchen
- Required
- Emergency lighting
- Required
- Fire blanket in the kitchen
- Required
- Fire extinguishers
- Not required
3-storey bedsits with cooking in rooms, 6 tenants
- Fire alarm system
- Grade A, LD2, plus a linked heat detector and a standalone smoke alarm in each letting
- Fire doors on bedrooms
- Required
- Fire door on the kitchen
- Required
- Protected escape route
- Required
- Heat detector in the kitchen
- Required
- Emergency lighting
- Required
- Fire blanket in the kitchen
- Required
- Fire extinguishers
- Not required
| Requirement | 2-storey shared house, 5 tenants | 3-storey shared house, 6 tenants | 3-storey bedsits with cooking in rooms, 6 tenants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire alarm system | Grade D1, LD3 | Grade D1, LD3 | Grade A, LD2, plus a linked heat detector and a standalone smoke alarm in each letting |
| Fire doors on bedrooms | Not required | Required | Required |
| Fire door on the kitchen | Not required | Required | Required |
| Protected escape route | Not required | Required | Required |
| Heat detector in the kitchen | Required | Required | Required |
| Emergency lighting | Required | Required | Required |
| Fire blanket in the kitchen | Required | Required | Required |
| Fire extinguishers | Not required | Not required | Not required |
- Grade D1 (mains alarms with a sealed backup battery)
- Grade A (a panel system with call points)
- LD3 (escape route only)
- LD2 (escape route plus rooms where fires are likely to start)
In the council's own words
The wording these requirements come from, quoted from the published documents.
Fire alarms
Council's own standard
“The table below provides some examples of typical property types and the fire precautions that would be appropriate. ... Interlinked mains wired smoke detectors with battery back-up ... Interlinked mains wired heat detector with battery back-up in ... 3 or 4 Storey Shared ... 30 minute fire resisting construction throughout the ... 3 or 4 Storey Bedsit ... Control panel required ... Mains wired smoke detectors with battery back-up located in ... each bedsit, linked to the control panel ... Mains wired heat detectors with battery back-up located in each ... Mains wired smoke detectors with battery back-up, non- interlinked, located in each bedsit.”
Fire doors
LACORS national guide
“30-minute protected route note 8, is required, including 30-minute fire-resisting construction and FD30 doors to all risk rooms (without smoke seals ... 30-minute fire-resisting construction and FD30S doors to all risk rooms. Travel distance must not be excessive”
Escape route
LACORS national guide
“No requirement for full 30-minute protected route note 7, but the escape route should have sound, traditional construction and should not pass through risk rooms ... 30-minute protected route note 8, is required, including 30-minute fire-resisting construction”
Kitchen heat detector
LACORS national guide
“additional interlinked heat alarm with integral battery back-up located in the kitchen”
Emergency lighting
Council's own standard
“Fire safety measures required by Cheshire East will typically require: ... An Emergency Lighting system conforming to BS5266; Part 1”
Fire extinguishers
Shared regional standard
“Landlords should consider the following points where extinguishers are to be provided ... devices. Unless a fire is very small, it is best ... on balance to encourage people simply to”
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will check it.
Not in Cheshire East?
Councils using the same standard as Cheshire East
Common questions
Do I need a fire risk assessment for a Cheshire East HMO licence?
Can I do my own HMO fire risk assessment in Cheshire East?
Which fire safety standard does Cheshire East use for HMOs?
What fire alarm does a 3-storey shared house need in Cheshire East?
Check your Cheshire East HMO against the council's standard
Answer plain-English questions about your house and get a fire risk assessment report built on Cheshire East's rules. £45, no subscription.