EICR, Gas Safety and Fire Risk Assessment for Hammersmith and Fulham Landlords

You can't submit a property licence application in Hammersmith and Fulham without valid safety certificates. Upload expired or incomplete documents and LBHF rejects the application as invalid — and the Part 1 processing fee is gone.

Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)

Since the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, every rental property needs a satisfactory EICR. It is normally renewed within five years, or sooner if the report specifies an earlier inspection. It must be carried out by a qualified and competent electrician; NICEIC and NAPIT are examples of registration schemes.

A "satisfactory" result means no outstanding Code C1 (danger present) or C2 (potentially dangerous) defects. If the report comes back with C1 or C2 findings, you must complete the remedial work and obtain either a new EICR or an Electrical Installation Certificate / Minor Works Certificate confirming the repair before LBHF will accept the application.

The EICR is required for all three licence types: mandatory HMO, additional HMO, and selective.

Gas Safety Certificate (CP12)

If the property has gas appliances, you need a valid Gas Safety Certificate issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The certificate is valid for 12 months and must cover all gas appliances, pipework, and flues in the property.

No gas appliances? You won't need this certificate, but make sure you can demonstrate that to the council if asked — a gas meter with no record of an inspection raises questions.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

Every privately rented property needs a valid EPC with a minimum rating of E. The certificate lasts 10 years. If your property falls below E, you'll need to either make improvements or register an exemption on the national PRS Exemptions Register before applying for a licence.

Fire Risk Assessment (HMOs Only)

Mandatory and additional HMO licence applications require a written fire risk assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This must be completed by a competent person and should identify escape routes, fire doors, compartmentation, and alarm systems. The assessment should be reviewed annually.

You'll also need a commissioning or testing certificate for the interlinked smoke and heat alarm system. HMOs need Grade D1 or D2, Category LD2 or LD1 systems compliant with BS 5839-6 — individual battery-operated smoke alarms aren't sufficient.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms (All Properties)

Under the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 (as amended 2022), every storey used as living accommodation needs at least one working smoke alarm, and every room with a fixed combustion appliance needs a carbon monoxide alarm. This applies to selective licences too, not just HMOs.

Keeping Certificates Current

Certificates don't just need to be valid at the time of application — they must remain valid throughout the licence term. A gas safety certificate that lapses mid-licence puts you in breach of conditions, exposing you to a civil penalty of up to £40,000 for offences committed on or after 1 May 2026; the previous maximum for earlier offences was £30,000.

Set calendar reminders for renewal dates: the gas certificate annually, the EICR every five years, and the fire risk assessment reviewed each year.

For the complete application document checklist, see the Hammersmith and Fulham Landlord Licensing Guide.

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