East of England
Hertsmere HMO fire safety requirements
Hertsmere publishes its own HMO fire safety standard, "Guide to Fire Safety in Houses in Multiple Occupation, Version 2 (Herts authorities and HFRS, Hertsmere copy)" (July 2010). It is based on the Hertfordshire standard, which 2 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?
Guide to Fire Safety in Houses in Multiple Occupation, Version 2 (Herts authorities and HFRS, Hertsmere copy)
Published July 2010.
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 Hertsmere 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 D2, LD2, plus a linked 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
- Not advised
3-storey shared house, 6 tenants
- Fire alarm system
- Grade A, LD2, plus a linked 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
- Not advised
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 advised
| 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 D2, LD2, plus a linked smoke alarm in each letting | Grade A, LD2, plus a linked smoke alarm in each letting | 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 | Required |
| Fire blanket in the kitchen | Required | Required | Required |
| Fire extinguishers | Not advised | Not advised | Not advised |
- Grade D2 (mains alarms with a replaceable 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
“to form a grade D LD2 system in accordance with BS 5839 part 6 (or equivalent) ... Plan 1, House Type: Typical two storey house with Shared Cooking Facilities ... Plan 2, House Type: Typical two storey house with cooking facilities in each let. ... form a grade A LD2 system in accordance with BS 5839 part 6 (or equivalent) ... Plan 3, House Type: Typical three storey HMO with cooking in each of the lets. ... Every risk room (bedroom, living room, kitchen) and circulation space needs a mains wired detector/alarm.”
Fire doors
Council's own standard
“All risk rooms (bedroom, living room, kitchen) need 30 minute fire resisting doors with smoke and heat seals and self-closing devices.”
Escape route
Council's own standard
“The escape route shall be protected to ensure people can exit the property safely. Generally, this will mean the partitions from risk rooms to the escape route giving 30 minutes fire resistance. ... At least 30 minute fire resistance should be provided to the route as indicated by red on the accompanying plan.”
Kitchen heat detector
LACORS national guide
“additional interlinked heat alarm with integral battery back-up located in the kitchen”
Emergency lighting
Shared regional standard
“To be provided in accordance with the current BS 5266 Part 1 (or equivalent) ... to cover the protected escape route.”
Fire extinguishers
Shared regional standard
“on balance it is best to encourage people to get out of the house quickly and call the Fire Service ... Therefore, whilst fire blankets should be provided to all cooking facilities normally there will be no requirement for fire extinguishers.”
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will check it.
Not in Hertsmere?
Councils using the same standard as Hertsmere
Common questions
Do I need a fire risk assessment for a Hertsmere HMO licence?
Can I do my own HMO fire risk assessment in Hertsmere?
Which fire safety standard does Hertsmere use for HMOs?
What fire alarm does a 3-storey shared house need in Hertsmere?
Check your Hertsmere HMO against the council's standard
Answer plain-English questions about your house and get a fire risk assessment report built on Hertsmere's rules. £45, no subscription.