West Midlands
Solihull HMO fire safety requirements
Solihull publishes its own HMO fire safety standard, "HMO Amenities and Facilities Guide (Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council)" (2018). 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?
HMO Amenities and Facilities Guide (Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council)
Published 2018.
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 Solihull 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, 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
- Not required
- Fire blanket in the kitchen
- Required
- Fire extinguishers
- Not required
3-storey shared house, 6 tenants
- Fire alarm system
- Grade D2, LD3
- 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 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 D2, LD3 | Grade D2, 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 | Not required | Not required | Required |
| Fire blanket in the kitchen | Required | Required | Required |
| Fire extinguishers | Not required | Not required | Not required |
- Grade D2 (mains alarms with a replaceable 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
Shared regional standard
“A system of mains powered automatic smoke detectors with battery back up, to achieve a Grade D system in accordance with the current BS 5839 Part 6 (or equivalent), must be installed. ... In kitchens a heat detector, rather than a smoke detector, must be installed. ... By providing a detector/ sounder in the communal areas ... Detectors must be sited in all areas containing a fire risk. ... The main system shall provide heat detectors in individual lets and smoke detectors in common areas and any storerooms/cellars (interlinked system). ... single point smoke alarms are also required. These detectors are not interlinked between rooms. ... GRADE A of the current BS 5859 Part 6 (or equivalent). Automatic detection must provide LD2 coverage. ... comprising of GRADE A (main system) and GRADE D (Single point smoke alarms). The main system must provide LD2 coverage.”
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
“Installing an emergency lighting system to the communal escape route in accordance with British Standard 5266. ... An emergency lighting system to the communal escape route will not normally be required unless the route is long or complex or if there is no effective borrowed light. ... Installing an emergency lighting system to the communal escape route, in accordance with BS5266, if the communal escape route is long or complex or lacks sufficient borrowed lighting.”
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 Solihull?
Councils using the same standard as Solihull
Common questions
Do I need a fire risk assessment for a Solihull HMO licence?
Can I do my own HMO fire risk assessment in Solihull?
Which fire safety standard does Solihull use for HMOs?
What fire alarm does a 3-storey shared house need in Solihull?
Check your Solihull HMO against the council's standard
Answer plain-English questions about your house and get a fire risk assessment report built on Solihull's rules. £45, no subscription.