Reading's housing stock
Reading has a large private rented sector. At the 2021 Census, 31.9% of Reading households rented privately, against 20.5% across England, up from 26.1% in 2011. Only Slough saw a larger rise in the South East.
The same Census recorded 26.9% of Reading households in purpose-built flats, 28.2% in terraced houses and 4.8% in flats within converted or shared houses. Purpose-built blocks are assessed as Type 1 common parts assessments under BS 9792:2025. Converted houses need closer attention to the separation between flats, which is often hidden behind older ceilings and stud walls, so the assessor records where compartmentation could not be seen.
Who enforces fire safety in Reading
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service enforces the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in Reading for the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority. It publishes its enforcement policy and an enforcement register of notices it has served, and guidance for responsible persons in high-rise buildings.
Reading Borough Council's private sector housing team deals with fire as a housing hazard in rented homes and licenses HMOs. In a shared house, both bodies can take an interest.
HMO licensing in Reading
Reading Borough Council's additional licensing scheme came into force on 1 March 2026 and runs to 28 February 2031 unless revoked earlier. It covers HMOs, including flats, with 3 or more people forming 2 or more households that do not already need a mandatory licence. In practice that brings 3 and 4 person shared houses into licensing across the whole borough. Applications go through the council's Home Safe portal.
The council has also proposed selective licensing, starting with Battle ward. It has not been designated, and the council says the timescales may change.
Visits and turnaround in Reading
Reading is where Garrison FM is based, so visits across the borough need no overnight stay or extended travel. Prices start at £295 ex VAT for a small office or shop, £325 for the common parts of a small block of flats and £395 for an HMO. The report arrives within 5 working days of the visit, after review by a second senior assessor.
Sources
Checked on 9 October 2026.