What Council HMO Inspectors Check — And How To Be Ready
The fire safety and paperwork checks that come up most at HMO licence inspections, with a list of documents to have ready.
Council HMO inspections check that a property is safe and is being managed in line with its licence. Fire safety is usually the biggest part of the visit. Inspectors use the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (Housing Act 2004), the HMO management regulations and the licence conditions for your property.
Fire safety on the day
- ▸Fire alarm — the right grade and category for the property, working, with no faults on the panel.
- ▸Escape routes — hallways and stairs clear of bikes, bins, furniture and stored items.
- ▸Fire doors — closing properly onto the latch, with seals and closers in place.
- ▸Emergency lighting — where required, working and tested.
- ▸Fire blankets and extinguishers — where required by the fire risk assessment, in date and in place.
- ▸Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in the right places, working.
Documents to have ready
- ▸Current fire risk assessment.
- ▸Fire alarm installation or commissioning certificate, and the latest service certificate.
- ▸Fire alarm logbook with weekly or monthly tests recorded.
- ▸Emergency lighting test records and certificates.
- ▸Gas safety record and current electrical safety certificate.
- ▸Your HMO licence, with the manager's name and contact details displayed in the property.
Getting ready
Walk the property a week before the visit with the checklist above, test the fire alarm, and make sure every document is in one place. JHS can carry out a pre-inspection visit, fix any fire alarm, emergency lighting or fire door issues, and bring your certificates and logbook up to date.
Dispatch An Engineer.
JHS engineers carry calibrated equipment and leave certified paperwork on every visit. Response under 4 hours, UK-wide.
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