Accredited Fire Risk Assessors

Fire Risk Assessment Portsmouth

Professional fire risk assessments for HMOs, rental properties, blocks of flats, communal areas and commercial premises across Portsmouth and nearby areas.

Clear written reports with practical, prioritised recommendations.

Starting From £120 | Clear Pricing Before Booking

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Suitable and Sufficient Assessment
Clear Written Report
Practical Action Plan
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  • IFSM Member - Institute of Fire Safety Managers
  • IFE - Institution of Fire EngineersAccredited Assessors
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Fire risk assessor inspecting fire safety measures inside a property

Professional fire risk assessments across Portsmouth and nearby areas

Professional Fire Risk Assessments Across Portsmouth

A fire risk assessment identifies fire hazards, considers who could be harmed and evaluates whether the existing fire precautions are suitable for the premises. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Responsible Person must ensure that a suitable and sufficient assessment is completed and kept under review for premises within the scope of the Order.

The Fire Safety Order applies to workplaces and other non-domestic premises. It also applies to relevant parts of buildings containing two or more domestic premises, including common parts, the building’s structure, external walls and doors between domestic premises and common parts. The precise assessment scope depends on the building, its use and the areas under the Responsible Person’s control.

Essential Checks carries out fire risk assessments for landlords, licence holders, freeholders, managing agents, employers and other people with control of relevant premises. Following the inspection, the client receives a written report setting out significant findings and prioritised recommendations.

Common Portsmouth Property Types

  • Student HMOs and shared houses
  • Converted houses and flats
  • Purpose-built residential blocks
  • Shops with flats above
  • Offices, shops and hospitality premises
  • Supported living and care-related premises, subject to scope

Fire Risk Assessments for Portsmouth HMOs

Portsmouth’s current licensing scheme requires HMOs across the city to be licensed. Portsmouth City Council states that all licensed HMOs must have a fire risk assessment and requests a copy as part of the licence application process.

The Responsible Person may be the landlord, licence holder or an agent with full management control. The assessment must be suitable and sufficient for the property, its occupants, layout, use and fire-safety arrangements.

An HMO assessment may consider:

  • The number and characteristics of occupants
  • Shared kitchens, living spaces and other higher-risk areas
  • Protected escape routes and final exits
  • Fire doors and self-closing arrangements
  • Fire detection and alarm provision
  • Emergency lighting where applicable
  • Visible fire separation and compartmentation
  • Fire-safety signs and resident information
  • Testing, maintenance and management records
  • Significant findings from previous assessments or inspections

Only the matters relevant to the individual building and agreed scope will be assessed.

Portsmouth HMO Review Guidance

Portsmouth City Council advises that a licensed HMO fire risk assessment should be reviewed regularly and recommends a review at least once a year, or when the tenancy changes if that occurs sooner. A review does not necessarily require the entire assessment to be rewritten where no material change has occurred.

The assessment should also be reviewed following a significant change, a fire, evidence that it may no longer be valid or another event that materially affects the premises or its fire precautions.

HMO licensing requirements can change. Landlords and licence holders should confirm the current requirements for their property directly with Portsmouth City Council.

This service may be suitable for shared houses, student HMOs, converted properties and relevant Section 257 buildings in areas such as Southsea, Fratton, North End, Milton and locations around the University of Portsmouth. The correct assessment scope must be confirmed from the building type and licensing circumstances.

Property Types We Assess in Portsmouth

The inspection and report are tailored to the premises, occupancy, layout, use, management arrangements and agreed scope.

HMOs and Shared Houses

Fire risk assessments for licensed and licensable HMOs, student lets, shared houses and relevant converted properties. The agreed scope reflects the property’s occupancy, layout, shared facilities and licensing circumstances.

  • Licensed and licensable HMOs
  • Student and professional shared houses
  • Converted and multi-occupied properties
Learn about residential assessments

Blocks of Flats and Communal Areas

Assessments for purpose-built and converted blocks, including shared entrances, corridors, stairways, lobbies, service areas and other common parts within the agreed scope.

  • Purpose-built and converted blocks
  • Communal escape routes and shared spaces
  • Freeholders, managing agents and management companies
Learn about communal assessments

Commercial Premises

Assessments for shops, offices, restaurants, cafés, salons, warehouses, workshops and other workplaces. The scope is tailored to the premises, occupancy, business activities and fire-safety management arrangements.

  • Retail, office and hospitality premises
  • Small and medium workplaces
  • Mixed-use and multi-occupied premises
Learn about commercial assessments

Residential and Specialist Accommodation

Assessments for rental properties, supported living, holiday accommodation and care-related premises where the building and agreed scope are within the assessor’s competence.

  • Rental and licensed accommodation
  • Supported and specialised housing
  • Holiday and care-related premises, subject to scope
Discuss the property scope

What the Fire Risk Assessment Covers

The assessment considers the fire-safety matters relevant to the premises and agreed inspection scope. Not every item applies to every building.

Fire Hazards and Ignition Sources

Potential ignition sources, combustible materials, higher-risk activities, housekeeping and waste arrangements.

People at Risk

Occupants, employees, visitors, contractors and people who may require additional assistance during an emergency.

Means of Escape

Escape routes, travel arrangements, exits, doors and factors that could affect safe evacuation.

Fire Detection and Warning

The suitability of fire detection and warning arrangements for the premises and the available evidence of testing and maintenance.

Emergency Lighting

Emergency-lighting provision where applicable, together with available testing and maintenance information.

Fire Doors

The visible condition and operation of fire doors included within the agreed scope, including relevant self-closing arrangements.

Fire Separation

Visible and reasonably accessible evidence relating to fire-resisting construction, compartmentation and service penetrations.

Signs and Fire-Safety Information

Relevant signs, notices, emergency information and instructions provided to occupants or staff.

Firefighting Equipment

Portable firefighting equipment where its provision is relevant, including available servicing and maintenance information.

Fire-Safety Management

Responsibilities, procedures, testing, maintenance, training, records and arrangements for keeping fire precautions effective.

Significant Findings

Material deficiencies, risk priorities and the actions recommended to improve fire safety.

Action Plan

A prioritised list of recommendations presented in clear, practical language.

Assessment Methodology and Inspection Scope

Appropriate Methodology

The assessor selects a recognised methodology appropriate to the premises and agreed scope. Depending on the building type, this may include PAS 79-1 for relevant non-housing premises, BS 9792:2025 for relevant housing premises, and applicable government or sector-specific guidance.

The methodology used for one property type is not automatically suitable for every other building. The scope must reflect the premises, occupancy, use, complexity and the assessor’s competence.

Visual and Non-Destructive Inspection

Unless a different service is expressly agreed in writing, the standard assessment is visual and non-destructive. It covers visible and reasonably accessible areas within the agreed scope.

The assessment cannot confirm the condition of concealed construction or hidden defects. Intrusive investigations, destructive opening-up, specialist fire-engineering analysis and external-wall fire-risk appraisals are not included unless separately agreed.

Observations concerning walls, floors, ceilings, fire stopping, service penetrations, external walls, structure and flat entrance doors are limited to what is visible, reasonably accessible and within the agreed scope.

Services Outside the Standard Scope

  • Intrusive Type 2, Type 3 or Type 4 investigations unless separately agreed
  • Fire Risk Appraisals of External Walls
  • Destructive compartmentation surveys
  • Fire-engineering design or calculations
  • Testing or certification of fire alarms, emergency lighting or other systems
  • Asbestos, electrical, structural or building-condition surveys

Where additional specialist work appears necessary, the report may recommend that the Responsible Person obtains further investigation from an appropriately competent specialist.

What You Receive

Following the assessment, the client receives a written fire risk assessment report for the agreed premises and scope.

  • Property and assessment details
  • Description of the premises and agreed scope
  • Relevant people at risk
  • Identified fire hazards
  • Existing fire precautions
  • Significant findings
  • Photographs where relevant
  • Prioritised recommendations
  • Suggested action timescales where appropriate
  • A practical fire-safety action plan

The report records the assessment findings but does not guarantee approval by a council, licensing authority, insurer, lender, fire and rescue authority or another third party.

Why Choose Essential Checks

Qualified Fire Risk Assessors

Our assessors hold qualifications from NEBOSH, IFE, IFSM and other OFQUAL-regulated bodies.

Clear, Actionable Reports

Findings are presented in clear language with prioritised recommendations, helping the Responsible Person understand what requires attention and why.

Transparent Pricing

The applicable price and any known travel, parking or additional charges are confirmed before the booking is completed.

Practical Recommendations

Recommendations are intended to be proportionate to the building, its use, occupancy and identified level of risk.

Direct Support

Clients can contact the team if they need clarification about the assessment scope, booking or completed report.

Portsmouth and Nearby Coverage

Assessments are available across Portsmouth and selected nearby areas of Hampshire and West Sussex.

How the Assessment Works

1

Book Your Assessment

Select the relevant service through the existing booking system or contact the team to discuss the property and required scope.

2

Confirm the Scope and Access

The appointment details, property information, access arrangements and any relevant documents are confirmed before the visit.

3

On-Site Inspection

The assessor inspects the visible and reasonably accessible areas included within the agreed scope and reviews relevant information made available during the visit.

4

Receive Your Written Report

The completed report records the significant findings and provides prioritised recommendations and an action plan.

Report turnaround depends on the size and complexity of the premises. The expected timeframe will be confirmed when the assessment is arranged.

Fire Risk Assessment Prices in Portsmouth

The prices below are starting prices for the listed property categories. The final price depends on the property type, size, number of floors, occupancy, complexity and agreed scope.

Additional charges may apply for travel, parking, congestion zones, key collection or services outside the standard scope. Applicable charges will be confirmed before booking.

All prices exclude VAT.

Communal Areas

  • Single-storey building£150
  • Two-storey building£180
  • Three-storey building£200
  • Four-storey building£220
  • Five-storey building£240
  • Six-storey building£260

HMOs and Rental Properties

  • Studio apartment£120
  • 1–3 bedrooms£180
  • 4–6 bedrooms£200
  • 7–8 bedrooms£220
  • 9–10 bedrooms£240

Commercial Properties

  • Small premises up to 1,000 sq ft£180
  • Medium premises from 1,000 to 2,500 sq ft£220
  • Large premises from 2,500 to 3,000 sq ft£260
  • Larger or complex premisesPrice on application
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Portsmouth and Nearby Areas We Cover

Our Coverage Area

Essential Checks serves landlords, managing agents, freeholders and businesses across Portsmouth, surrounding areas of Hampshire and nearby parts of West Sussex.

The service covers individual properties and portfolios, subject to assessor availability, travel arrangements and the suitability of the requested assessment.

Portsmouth Areas

Portsmouth City CentreSouthseaOld PortsmouthFrattonNorth EndCopnorBaffinsMiltonEastneyHilseaCoshamDraytonFarlingtonPort Solent

Nearby Locations

HavantWaterloovilleFarehamGosportHayling IslandEmsworthPetersfieldSouthamptonChichester

Portsmouth includes a varied mix of student HMOs, converted houses, older terraced properties, purpose-built blocks, mixed-use buildings, shops with accommodation above and commercial premises. The assessment scope is therefore determined from the individual building rather than from its postcode alone.

Managing agents and portfolio landlords can provide property details and access requirements when arranging assessments for more than one address.

View All Areas We Cover

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about fire risk assessments in Portsmouth.

Portsmouth City Council states that all licensed HMOs must have a fire risk assessment and requests a copy as part of the licence application process. The assessment must be suitable and sufficient for the individual property and should be kept under review.
No. The applicable duties and assessment scope depend on the type of property, how it is occupied, whether it has common parts, whether licensing applies and which areas are under the Responsible Person’s control. The inside of an ordinary single private dwelling is not treated in the same way as a workplace, HMO or the common parts of a block of flats.
Prices start from £120 for a studio apartment, £150 for a single-storey communal-area assessment and £180 for HMOs with one to three bedrooms or small commercial premises. The final price depends on the property and agreed scope. Any applicable travel, parking or additional charges are confirmed before booking.
The assessment should be reviewed regularly and when there is reason to believe it may no longer be valid, following a significant change or after a fire. Portsmouth City Council advises a review at least once a year for licensed HMOs, or when the tenancy changes if that occurs sooner.
The standard assessment is visual and non-destructive. It covers visible and reasonably accessible areas within the agreed scope. Intrusive investigation, destructive opening-up, external-wall appraisal and specialist fire-engineering work are not included unless separately agreed.
Yes. The agreed scope may include shared entrances, corridors, stairways, lobbies, service areas and other common parts. The assessment does not automatically include the interior of each private flat.
Yes. Assessments are available for shops, offices, restaurants, cafés, salons, warehouses, workshops and other workplaces, subject to the building’s size, complexity, use and the requested scope.
You will receive a written report recording the agreed scope, significant findings, relevant existing precautions and prioritised recommendations. Photographs and suggested action timescales are included where appropriate.
Yes. Managing agents and portfolio landlords can arrange assessments for multiple properties. Property details, locations, access arrangements and the required scope should be provided so that availability and pricing can be confirmed.
No. The report records the fire risk assessment findings for the agreed property and scope. It does not guarantee acceptance or approval by Portsmouth City Council, a fire and rescue authority, an insurer, a lender or another third party.

Book a Fire Risk Assessment in Portsmouth

Arrange a professional fire risk assessment for an HMO, rental property, block of flats, communal area or commercial premises in Portsmouth.

Book through the existing online system or contact the team to confirm the most suitable assessment scope.

Speak directly with the team if you are unsure which assessment applies to your property.

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