South East
Gravesham HMO fire safety requirements
Gravesham publishes its own HMO fire safety standard, "Guidance for HMO Amenity Standards: A Guide to the Standards for Amenities and Space Expected in a House in Multiple Occupation within Gravesham" (V4 2026 (fire section stamped V3 2025)).
Is a fire risk assessment needed for the licence?
Yes, with your licence application
The council lists a written fire risk assessment as one of the documents you send with your HMO licence application.
Who can carry it out?
A "competent person"
The council says a "competent person" must carry it out. In fire safety law that means someone with enough training, experience or knowledge to assess the house properly. A careful landlord can meet that.
Which standard applies?
Guidance for HMO Amenity Standards: A Guide to the Standards for Amenities and Space Expected in a House in Multiple Occupation within Gravesham
Published V4 2026 (fire section stamped V3 2025).
Read the council's document →When did we last check?
12 October 2026
We re-check every council's documents each month and update this page when they change.
What Gravesham 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, LD2
- Fire doors on bedrooms
- Required
- Fire door on the kitchen
- Required
- Protected escape route
- Required
- Heat detector in the kitchen
- Required
- Emergency lighting
- Not required
- Fire blanket in the kitchen
- Required
- Fire extinguishers
- Recommended
3-storey shared house, 6 tenants
- Fire alarm system
- Grade D1, LD2
- Fire doors on bedrooms
- Required
- Fire door on the kitchen
- Required
- Protected escape route
- Required
- Heat detector in the kitchen
- Required
- Emergency lighting
- Not required
- Fire blanket in the kitchen
- Required
- Fire extinguishers
- Recommended
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
- Not required
- Fire blanket in the kitchen
- Required
- Fire extinguishers
- Recommended
| 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, LD2 | Grade D1, LD2 | Grade A, LD2, plus a linked heat detector and a standalone smoke alarm in each letting |
| Fire doors on bedrooms | Required | Required | Required |
| Fire door on the kitchen | Required | Required | Required |
| Protected escape route | Required | Required | Required |
| Heat detector in the kitchen | Required | Required | Required |
| Emergency lighting | Not required | Not required | Not required |
| Fire blanket in the kitchen | Required | Required | Required |
| Fire extinguishers | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended |
- Grade D1 (mains alarms with a sealed backup battery)
- Grade A (a panel system with call points)
- 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
“Grade D, Category ... incorporating detectors in all circulation areas that form part of the escape routes from the premises, and in all specified rooms or areas that present a high fire risk to occupants, including any kitchen bedrooms and the principal habitable room ... Often referred to as Grade D1, LD2D”
Fire doors
Council's own standard
“To supply and fit 30-minute fire-resisting (FD30s) door set to all high-risk rooms, kitchen, bedrooms, communal rooms, cellars, understairs etc.”
Escape route
Council's own standard
“All means of escape should be protected against smoke, flames, and obstructions. ... A minimum of 30-minute fire resistance and in some circumstances may be required to provide 60-minute fire resistance.”
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
“Dependent on complexity of the escape & natural lighting levels available ... Likely yes.”
Fire extinguishers
LACORS national guide
“a simple multi-purpose extinguisher is recommended on each floor in the common parts of HMOs and buildings containing flats.”
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will check it.
Common questions
Do I need a fire risk assessment for a Gravesham HMO licence?
Can I do my own HMO fire risk assessment in Gravesham?
Which fire safety standard does Gravesham use for HMOs?
What fire alarm does a 3-storey shared house need in Gravesham?
Check your Gravesham HMO against the council's standard
Answer plain-English questions about your house and get a fire risk assessment report built on Gravesham's rules. £45, no subscription.