Experts in Residential and Commercial Property Inspections and Compliance

A Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) is a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for all non-domestic buildings and residential properties with communal areas. This includes HMOs, blocks of flats, and commercial premises across the UK. Property owners, landlords, managing agents, and employers must ensure an FRA is carried out by a competent person such as NEBOSH Fire Risk Assessor. Failure to comply may lead to enforcement action by authorities such as Kent Fire and Rescue Service, insurance issues, and potential prosecution.

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The FRA must be reviewed at least once in a year and updated whenever there is a change in layout, occupancy, or after a fire-related incident. For HMOs and multi-tenant buildings, we recommend annual reviews or before licence renewal. Your Local Borough Council may request up-to-date assessments as part of HMO Licensing compliance.

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A fire risk assessment (FRA) in the UK is a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for all non-domestic premises and for the communal areas of rental properties such as HMOs, flats, and mixed-use buildings. The assessment covers:

• Identification of fire hazards – ignition sources (electrics, heating, smoking, cooking) and fuel sources (furniture, waste, chemicals).

• People at risk – residents, staff, visitors, vulnerable persons (elderly, disabled, children).

• Fire safety measures – adequacy of alarms, detectors, emergency lighting, fire doors, signage, extinguishers, and suppression systems.

• Escape routes & evacuation planning – condition of stairwells, exits, assembly points, and whether they remain clear and accessible.

• Management procedures – staff training, evacuation drills, fire logbooks, and maintenance schedules.

• Compliance evidence – testing records for alarms, lighting, and equipment; servicing certificates (EICR, PAT, gas safety); and any remedial actions required.

A professional FRA provides a clear risk rating and an action plan with timescales to ensure compliance, avoid enforcement notices, and most importantly, protect lives and property.

HSE Property Checks assessors carry out detailed fire risk assessments for landlords, estate agents, property managers, and businesses across London and the Home Counties. Our reports are written in plain English, aligned to PAS 79 guidance, and include practical, cost-effective recommendations. Many of our clients use us for bundled compliance packages (FRA, EICR, PAT, gas safety, asbestos surveys) to simplify their legal obligations.

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Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, a fire risk assessment (FRA) must be carried out by a “competent person.” In practice, this means someone who has the training, qualifications, and practical experience to identify fire hazards, evaluate risks, and recommend proportionate control measures.

A competent person should be able to demonstrate:

• Formal fire safety knowledge – training in fire risk assessment methods, often aligned with PAS 79 guidance.

• Relevant qualifications – such as NEBOSH Fire Safety, IFE or IFSM memberships, or recognised FRA training courses.

• Practical experience – assessing a range of properties (e.g. HMOs, commercial buildings, offices, warehouses).

• Up-to-date understanding of legislation – including the Fire Safety Act 2021, Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, and BS standards (e.g. BS 5839 for alarms, BS 9999 for fire safety in design, management and use of buildings).

• Independence & impartiality – providing objective assessments not influenced by conflicts of interest.

HSE Property Checks Fire Risk Assessors are NEBOSH qualified, IFSM affiliated, and fully insured. We provide professional FRA reports across all London boroughs and the Home Counties, written in plain English with clear risk ratings and prioritised action plans. Many landlords and property managers choose us for bundled compliance solutions (FRA, EICR, PAT, asbestos, gas safety), giving them peace of mind that their legal obligations are covered by one trusted provider.

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Failure to comply with UK fire safety regulations – primarily the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Fire Safety Act 2021, and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 – can lead to serious legal, financial, and reputational consequences.

If you fail to comply, you could face:

• Enforcement action by the local Fire and Rescue Authority – including legal notices such as:
  

  • Alterations notice – restrictions on how the premises can be used until safety issues are resolved.

  • Enforcement notice – requiring specific improvements within a set deadline.

  • Prohibition notice – immediate restriction or closure of part or all of the premises if there’s a serious risk to life.

• Prosecution & fines – unlimited fines can be imposed in the Magistrates’ or Crown Court for serious breaches.

• Imprisonment – in extreme cases where negligence endangers lives, responsible persons can face up to 2 years in prison.

• Invalid insurance claims – insurers may refuse to pay out if non-compliance with fire safety law contributed to a fire.

• Civil liability – landlords and businesses may be sued for damages if injury, death, or loss of property occurs due to non-compliance.

In addition to penalties, failure to comply can cause reputational damage, loss of tenants, and disruption to business continuity.

That’s why many landlords, estate agents, and property managers partner with HSE Property Checks to ensure compliance. We provide comprehensive fire risk assessments, action plans, and bundled compliance services (EICR, PAT, gas safety, asbestos surveys) across London and the Home Counties. Our local council compliant reports highlight urgent risks and practical fixes, helping clients avoid enforcement notices and keep tenants, staff, and buildings safe.

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