If you are a landlord you – and your letting or managing agents – both have a legal duty to keep the people who rent your property safe from fire through the provisions of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
You have to ensure there is a comprehensive fire risk assessment that details the fire safety provisions that are in the property. This is usually carried out by a professional fire risk assessor and might identify additional measures that should be carried out as appropriate.
You must also maintain fire detection and the structural protection provided within the building (for example fire resisting and self closing doors) to protect residents and allow them to safely escape from fire or smoke using the corridors and staircases.
You should also develop an emergency evacuation plan for residents and make sure they know the actions they need to take in the event of an alarm or fire occurring.
You can find a good overview of your wider responsibilities on the gov.uk website. We provide fire safety focused detail too – choose from the following:
Local Authorities, Registered Social Landlords, and landlords of private residential blocks.
Private rented sector landlords – this includes people who own or manage buy-to-let properties, have flats above their business premises, or rent their homes whilst living elsewhere.