HMO Electrical & Fire Services in West Sussex
Electrical installation, inspection, testing and fire safety systems for Houses in Multiple Occupation. For landlords, property managers and letting agents who need planned compliance work delivered by an established, qualified contractor.
Multiple compliance requirements, one contractor
An HMO is not simply a standard house with more occupants. Multiple residents sharing a building creates a different risk profile — for electrical safety, fire detection and escape — and a different compliance picture for the landlord.
Electrical safety, fire detection and emergency lighting are distinct requirements that may all need to be addressed on the same property. They are not always the responsibility of the same contractor, but having one qualified team assess and deliver all three reduces the number of parties involved and produces cleaner documentation for licensing and compliance purposes.
The correct specification for an HMO — including what fire detection grade and category is required, whether emergency lighting is needed, and what the EICR inspection schedule should be — depends on the property, its occupancy, any licensing conditions imposed by the local housing authority, and the outcome of a fire risk assessment. We do not apply a one-size-fits-all approach.
What we provide for HMO properties
EICR and periodic electrical inspection
Landlords in England are required to have electrical installations inspected and tested at least every five years. For HMOs this requirement applies across the property including all common areas. We carry out full EICRs, produce the condition report with coded observations and can provide certification on the same day where practical.
Electrical remedial works
Where an EICR identifies C1 or C2 observations, remedial work must be completed and documented. We carry out remedial works arising from inspection — rectifying faults, replacing defective accessories, improving earthing and bonding — and provide evidence of completion.
Full and partial rewiring
HMO conversions and refurbishments frequently involve rewiring — either because the existing installation is outdated or because the property's use has changed. We carry out full and partial rewires for HMO properties, including the common areas, and certify all work on completion.
Consumer unit upgrades
Modern RCD-protected consumer units are a standard requirement. We specify and install consumer units appropriate to the installation, including where separate metering arrangements are required for individual lettable units.
Additional circuits and alterations
New lettable rooms, additional bathrooms, communal areas and converted spaces often require new circuits. We design and install additional circuits to meet the demands of the converted property and obtain all required certification.
Fire detection and alarm systems
Fire detection is a critical requirement in HMOs. The appropriate type and extent of fire detection depends on the property, its size and occupancy, the risk assessment and any licence conditions set by the local housing authority. We design and install fire detection systems to BS 5839-6 appropriate to the risk and the property.
Emergency lighting
Emergency lighting in escape routes and common areas may be required depending on the HMO type, size and licensing conditions. Where required, systems are designed and installed to BS 5266-1 with appropriate coverage, tested on completion and commissioned with test records.
Testing, certification and documentation
Every HMO job requires a clear documentation trail. We provide Electrical Installation Certificates, EICRs, fire alarm commissioning certificates and emergency lighting test records as appropriate to the scope of work — all formatted for use with local authority licensing applications and property records.
Established HMO track record
Omni3 has completed electrical works across 13 HMO properties for Castle Accommodation over the last five years. This is genuine, confirmed experience — not a generic service description.
Working across multiple properties for a single portfolio client means understanding the ongoing compliance cycle — not just a one-off inspection. EICRs, remedial works, fire detection and documentation need to be managed consistently and recorded in a way that supports licensing and re-licensing.
Fire detection and emergency lighting in HMOs
Fire safety in HMOs is governed by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in common areas, and by local authority HMO licensing conditions which vary between councils. A fire risk assessment for the specific property is the starting point for determining what fire detection and emergency lighting is required.
Fire detection — BS 5839-6
BS 5839-6 is the design standard for fire detection and alarm systems in domestic premises, including HMOs. It defines grades (by system type and power supply) and categories (by extent of coverage). The appropriate grade and category for a specific HMO depends on the property type, size, number of occupants and any licence conditions set by the local housing authority.
We do not specify a minimum standard that applies to all HMOs. We design to the appropriate grade and category for the property following a review of the fire risk assessment and any licensing requirements.
Emergency lighting — BS 5266-1
Emergency lighting requirements in HMOs depend on the property type, the layout of escape routes, the number of storeys, and any specific conditions in the HMO licence. Where emergency lighting is required, BS 5266-1 is the applicable design standard.
Where required, we design and install systems with appropriate coverage of escape routes, commission on completion and provide test records suitable for licensing purposes.
NICEIC Approved Contractor · West Sussex & South East
Discuss your HMO electrical and fire requirements
HMO electrical and fire — common questions
Qualifications and accreditations
NICEIC Approved Contractor
All electrical work certified to BS 7671
ECA Member
Electrical Contractors' Association
TrustMark Registered
Government endorsed quality scheme
ISO 9001
Quality management system
ISO 45001
Health and safety management
City & Guilds Qualified
Relevant electrical qualifications