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Fire Safety Enforcement in Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)

For enforcement professionals who need legal clarity, procedural confidence, and cross-agency coordination.

Confusion around HMOs remains widespread—especially when it comes to responsibilities, statutory powers, and enforcement procedures. This practical, one-day course clears the fog with up-to-date guidance, expert insight, and real-world application for professionals navigating fire safety in complex housing environments.

You’ll gain a solid understanding of how to identify HMOs, correctly apply statutory tests, resolve common exemptions, and investigate fire safety duties under both the Housing Act 2004 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (as amended).

Through expert-led case studies and interactive sessions, you'll learn to navigate HMO definitions, licensing schemes, interpret essential fire safety benchmarks, conduct coordinated joint inspections, and take confident, compliant enforcement action that stands up to scrutiny.

Whether you're dealing with shared housing complaints, carrying joint visits, or managing enforcement under overlapping regimes, this course equips you with the tools to act decisively—and compliantly.

R2B Fire Safety Inspector with a housing officer fire safety lacorse HHRS Fire Safety Enfo

Course details

Duration: 1 Day

Audience: New | Experienced Investigators

CPD: 6 hrs

Delivery​: Virtual | face-to-face

(in-house)

Fees: £275 pp | £1,650 up to 10

Course Code: 25INVHMO

Course Overview

Course Overview |  Additional Focus  |  Learning Objectives

Additional Focus

HMO enforcement under the Housing Act 2004 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (as amended) often involves not just technical inspection skills, but engagement with residents from diverse backgrounds, many of whom may be vulnerable or lack understanding of legal requirements. 

While the legislation and procedural guidance are the backbone of enforcement, the challenge of applying them in such varied human contexts is often less explored in training. 

That’s why this course includes a dedicated one-hour reflective session—helping practitioners consider the communication, trust-building, and equality aspects that support legal compliance, improve cooperation, and protect public confidence.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

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  • Define and classify HMOs in line with current legislative criteria.

  • Recognise exemptions and special categories relevant to HMO definitions.

  • Identify applicable fire safety guidance and frameworks for hazard assessment.

  • Assess and address fire risks in HMOs using recognised approaches.

  • Distinguish between licensing schemes and explain how these influence fire safety requirements.

  • Outline enforcement powers available under housing and fire safety legislation.

  • Work collaboratively with other agencies to improve fire safety and resident protection.

  • Recognise how awareness of resident needs and vulnerabilities can support equality duties and improve cooperation.

Additional Focus
Learning Objectives
Course Overview
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