South East
Runnymede HMO fire safety requirements
Runnymede publishes its own HMO fire safety standard, "Standards for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO's): A landlord's guide (Runnymede Borough Council)" (Updated June 2023).
Is a fire risk assessment needed for the licence?
Not stated by the council
We could not find the council saying whether it wants to see your fire risk assessment. Fire safety law still says the landlord of an HMO must have 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?
Standards for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO's): A landlord's guide (Runnymede Borough Council)
Published Updated June 2023.
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 Runnymede 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
- Not required
- Fire door on the kitchen
- Required
- Protected escape route
- Not required
- Heat detector in the kitchen
- Required
- Emergency lighting
- Not required
- Fire blanket in the kitchen
- Required
- Fire extinguishers
- Not required
3-storey shared house, 6 tenants
- Fire alarm system
- Grade A, LD1, 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
- 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, LD1, 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, LD2 | Grade A, LD1, plus a linked smoke alarm in each letting | Grade A, LD1, 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 | Required | Required | Required |
| Protected escape route | Not required | Required | Required |
| Heat detector in the kitchen | Required | Required | Required |
| Emergency lighting | Not 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)
- LD2 (escape route plus rooms where fires are likely to start)
- LD1 (alarms in all rooms and on the escape route)
In the council's own words
The wording these requirements come from, quoted from the published documents.
Fire alarms
Council's own standard
“Install mains operated interlinked smoke alarms to the ground floor hallway, the first-floor landing and living room with a heat alarm in the kitchen ... The system should comply with the requirements of BS5839, Part 6, Grade D1, LD2 ... The system should comply with the recommendations of BS 5839: Part 6, Type LD1, Grade A ... smoke detectors in each bedroom and throughout communal hallways/escape routes”
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
“Provision of suitable and sufficient escape lighting throughout the common parts of the building”
Fire extinguishers
Council's own standard
“Fire extinguishers are not required unless your fire risk assessment identifies them as being appropriate”
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will check it.
Common questions
Do I need a fire risk assessment for a Runnymede HMO licence?
Can I do my own HMO fire risk assessment in Runnymede?
Which fire safety standard does Runnymede use for HMOs?
What fire alarm does a 3-storey shared house need in Runnymede?
Check your Runnymede HMO against the council's standard
Answer plain-English questions about your house and get a fire risk assessment report built on Runnymede's rules. £45, no subscription.