If your property is a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) or a purpose-built block of flats, yes. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, all residential buildings with “common parts” (shared hallways, stairwells, or entrances) must have a professional FRA.

As of April 2026, new legislation (following the Grenfell Tower Inquiry) has introduced stricter rules for London property managers:
​PEEPs: You must now offer Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans for any “relevant resident” with mobility or cognitive impairments.
​Fire Door Mandates: All multi-occupied residential buildings (regardless of height) now require mandatory, documented inspections of fire doors.
​Record Keeping: Digital, version-controlled records of all assessments and evacuation plans are now a legal expectation.

Technically, it should be a “live” document. Certivest London recommends:
​Annually: For high-risk buildings or HMOs with high tenant turnover.
​Every 2–3 Years: For standard purpose-built blocks, provided no “material changes” have been made to the building.

Our 5-step approach covers:
​Ignition Sources: Checking communal heaters, electrical intake cupboards, and smoking areas.
​Combustible Materials: Identifying high-risk items left in hallways (e.g., bikes, prams, or cardboard boxes).
​Escape Routes: Ensuring stairwells are clear and exits lead to a place of total safety.
​Fire Protection Systems: Checking smoke/heat detectors, fire alarms, and emergency lighting.
​Compartmentation: Assessing “fire-stopping” between flats and communal areas (including fire doors and letterboxes).

Standard FRAs focus on the communal areas and the front doors of the flats (which are critical for protecting the escape route). However, for HMOs, we inspect the entire property, including individual bedrooms.

​Wedged-open Fire Doors: People often prop them open for ventilation, which renders them useless in a fire.
​Storage in Hallways: Clutter in narrow London stairwells is a major safety violation.
​Lack of Intumescent Strips: Older fire doors often lack the “heat-expanding” seals needed to block smoke.

Your report will include a prioritized Action Plan. You are legally required to address “Significant Findings” within a reasonable timeframe (usually 28 days for urgent repairs).

Your report will include a prioritized Action Plan. You are legally required to address “Significant Findings” within a reasonable timeframe (usually 28 days for urgent repairs).

We pride ourselves on speed. After our visit, your digital PDF report is typically delivered within 24 hours, complete with photos and a clear to-do list for compliance.
​Did You Know? In 2026, London Fire Brigade inspectors have the power to issue unlimited fines for failure to provide a valid Fire Risk Assessment when requested.