Your responsibilities - Fire Risk Assessments

Conducting Regular Fire Risk Assessments: It is your responsibility to conduct regular Fire Risk Assessments for the properties you own or manage. These assessments should be carried out by competent professionals who can identify potential fire hazards, evaluate the level of risk, and recommend appropriate measures to mitigate these risks.

Complying with Legal Requirements: Landlords in London are subject to various legal requirements related to fire safety. This includes compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which applies to all non-domestic premises, including rental properties. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in penalties or legal consequences.

Maintaining Fire Safety Equipment: You are responsible for ensuring that fire safety equipment, such as smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and emergency lighting, is installed and properly maintained in your rental properties. Regular inspections and maintenance checks should be conducted to ensure that these systems are in good working condition.

Providing Fire Safety Information: It is your duty to provide tenants with relevant fire safety information, including evacuation procedures, the location of fire exits and assembly points, and instructions for using fire safety equipment. This information should be clearly communicated to tenants at the start of their tenancy and displayed prominently in common areas.

Ensuring Safe Escape Routes: You must ensure that all escape routes in your rental properties are clear, unobstructed, and adequately illuminated. Stairways, corridors, and exits should be kept free from clutter or obstacles that could impede evacuation in the event of a fire.

Regular Inspections and Maintenance: Regular inspections of your rental properties should be conducted to identify and address any fire safety issues promptly. This includes checking for potential fire hazards, ensuring the integrity of fire-resistant structures, and verifying the effectiveness of fire safety measures.

Keeping Records: It is important to keep detailed records of Fire Risk Assessments, inspections, maintenance activities, and any remedial works carried out to address fire safety concerns. These records can serve as evidence of compliance with fire safety regulations and may be requested by regulatory authorities or insurance providers.