Fire test certificate needed?

I think they might mean Fire Alarm Safety Certificates & if applicable, Emergency Lighting - see examples; https://alllandlordcertificates.co.uk/services/fire-alarm-certificate#:~:text=Fire%20alarm%20certificate%20is%20a,documented%20in%20the%20log%20book. ....and.....https://prochecks.co.uk/fire-safety-certificate/ ......or.......it could be something more in-depth available through following example; https://myfire.co.uk/how-to-get-fire-safety-inspection-certificate/

Are you in a selective licencing area - it could be under their rules? Or are you renting individual rooms?

Are you letting the house out as a single unit or as rooms (HMO)?

If letting as a single house then I can't see why the LA is involved or would be asking for any documents.

If you are letting a HMO then you will need to be fully compliant with fire safety requirements, which will be part of your HMO licence.

We don't manage any HMOs but do have some flat blocks and we have the fire alarms on a testing regime - an electrician does it every month. He tests emergency lighting and smoke/fire alarms.

You electrician will provide an alarm & emergency lighting installation certificate. After that Local Authorities of licenced properties will define their requirements for the systems routine servicing. In low risk HMO's this can be a self certified annual test. Alternatively, you can get a contractor in to do it. As this varies between local authorities, I would suggest you look at or seek clarification from your own local authority. It should be detailed on their website.

The Local authority? If you let the property where you retain possession of part (i.e the hallway) in an HMO, that's the remiit of the fire service, the rooms will be the remiit of the local authority.

Best way is to ask the local authority exactly what they are looking for and exactly what part of statute they are relying upon . It could be as simple as a statement form yourself that you tested it. When I was an HMO landlord the Fire service were happy for me to self certify

Some dreadful advice on this thread so far.
1 Why are the Local Authority involved - because they are charged under the Housing Act 2004 to enforce safety in ALL DWELLINGS whether that dwelling is an HM, flat, house or even caravan or boat.
2 The housing act gives them powers to prosecute or fine any dwelling owner (even you in your own personal dwelling (though usually they can't be bothered). Its Housing Act Part 1 - generally called HHSRS the Housing Health and Safety Rating System see https://landlordsdefence.co.uk/hhsrs-what-and-why/ if you don't know the system Council use to fine you as a landlord.
You will see that FIRE is hazard 24 and contrary to what someone posted above it is the COUNCIL NOT the Fire Brigade that has the job of enforcing fie safety - and they are evil in comparison to the Fire Brigade because their motivation is fines and not safety in many cases.
Under parts 2 and 3 of the Housing Act, councils sadly have the power to make landlords licence HMOs and BTLs/Single Lets. They use licensing to make it far easier fro them to fine landlords.
FIRE ALARMS
Wireless Interlinked and mains powered alarms of the type the OP describes are called Grade D. If they have a 9 volt battery in the back they are Grade D2 (which you should no longer be fitting). British Standard 5839-6:2019 +A1 2020 is where all the details are found and that tells us to fit Grade D1 which have a built-in backup battery and are far less likely to be removed by tenants as they don't start beeping at 4am.
BS5838-6 (which is the BIBLE for councils on fire alarms) tells us that Grade D systems:
Should have SMOKE alarms in all hallways, landings, reception rooms and risk rooms. (Most bedrooms are now risk rooms due to the amount of electronic equipment, phone chargers, hairdryers, tongs etc etc that start fires. Also the sound level must be at least 75dBA at the bedhead. So basically if you have common sense, fit SMOKE in bedrooms too - if you want avoid a gross negligence manslaughter charge if the worst happens)
There must also be a Grade D1 HEAT alarm in kitchens.
BS5839-6 tells us that Grade D alarms must be tested monthly (and the council will demand that you have records). It says Grade D alarms should be serviced and maintained annually and councils wilL REQUIRE you to have a BS5839 annual service certificate from your electrician or qualified alarm company.
if your electrician doesn't know what a BS5839-6 service certificate is then it is time t change your certificate.
If you're not sure quite how much danger youre putting your tenants in by not doing FIRE properly have a look here https://landlordsdefence.co.uk/fire/ and also download the Tenant Fire booklet from that page and give to ALL your tenants so they understand the part they need to play in staying alive.
#HHSRSpractitioner #FireRiskAssessor

Thank you all for your responses. They are informative and helpful.

Paul

Reply to the comment left by Des Taylor & Phil Turtle, Landlord Licensing & Defence at 07/03/2023 - 08:22
Great post Des, detail appreciated. Quick follow up question: if it is a house or HMO that doesn't require a licence, my understanding is that a competent person can do the monthly and annual checks. You say "councils wilL REQUIRE you to have a BS5839 annual service certificate from your electrician or qualified alarm company". I presume that is as part of the licence requirements, right?