Fire Risk Assessments for landlords are an often stressful, yet always essential, part of owning a rental property.
A fire in a rental property can cause devastating damage which can lead to not only huge costs to repair the damage, but also a loss of income if the property is unhabitable.
Many Landlords do not have day-to-day control over their properties, instead renting them out for residential or commercial usage. However, that does not mean that you are free of responsibility, and there are still several key pieces of legislation that covers the duty of a Landlord to keep their property and tenants safe.
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Are Fire Risk Assessments a Legal Requirement for Landlords?
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to all residential properties with common areas, such as blocks of flats, HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation), and student accommodations. This also includes any property where tenants share facilities or communal spaces. Even single-occupancy rental units can benefit from a fire risk assessment to ensure overall safety.
An update to the Fire Safety Order in October 2023 went further to clarify the requirements for Landlords, adding that they now must:
- Record the Fire Risk Assessment in writing
- Record all fire safety arrangements in writing
- Record the details of the person and/or organisation who undertook the assessment.
Can Landlords Do Their Own Fire Risk Assessments?
Legislation says that the responsibility for completing a Fire Risk Assessment belongs to the property’s “Responsible Person“. This is usually the property owner, landlord or anyone with some control over the premises.
This does mean that landlords can perform basic fire risk assessments themselves, however the Responsible Person must be competent and have the necessary knowledge to undertake the assessment to the necessary level.
It is highly recommended to use professional services for a comprehensive evaluation. UK Fire Consultants provide expert fire risk assessments for landlords, with user-friendly reports and clear recommendations. This professional approach ensures that all potential risks are identified and addressed, giving you peace of mind and protecting your tenants.
What Do Fire Risk Assessments cover?
Every Fire Risk Assessment must cover 5 key steps:
- Identify the Fire Hazards
- Identify the People at Risk
- Evaluate and Act
- Record, Plan and Train
- Review
On top of this, Fire Risk Assessments for HMOs and shared residential properties should assess all escape routes and common areas like corridors, stairs and entrances to ensure that tenants can evacuate safely.
It is also the responsibility of the Landlord to ensure that smoke and alarms are installed in the appropriate places and that they are working correctly. This will also be factored into any Fire Risk Assessment.
The Landlord must also ensure that tenants are made aware of any fire safety notices or procedures. A clear emergency plan must be in place and all residents must know and understand what to do in the event of a fire.
Finally, a Fire Risk Assessment will inspect all fire doors within the premises. Fire Doors must be properly fitted and maintained to prevent the spread of fire and smoke.
Where To Find Advice on Fire Risk Assessments for Landlords
Organisations such as the National Residential Landlords Association offer advice and resources for private residential landlords.
If you do not feel confident and comfortable dealing with fire safety at your premises, including undertaking Fire Risk Assessments, expert companies like UK Fire Consultants are here to deliver clear, customer friendly fire safety advice and services to ensure your property and people are fully protected.
How UK Fire Consultants Can Help with Fire Risk Assessments for Landlords
UK Fire Consultants operate across the whole of the United Kingdom, working with a network of fire safety experts to undertake Fire Risk Assessments for landlords, building owners, facility management companies and employers.
All of our reports are verified by a second industry professional to ensure that you only receive correct feedback, with any issues broken down into clear, user-friendly, manageable actions.
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