If you rent your home or are the landlord you need to make sure the property is well maintained. Landlord’s do have responsibilities but tenants should also ensure that the property they are living in is safe from the risk of fire.
Fitting a smoke alarm is the simplest step that can be taken to reduce the risk of being caught in a fire. Smoke alarms cost little more than £5 and if you fit one as a tenant you can take it with you when you move.
Under the 2004 Housing Act, if you are a landlord you must make sure there are adequate escape routes in the property you are renting out. Depending on the size of the property, you may also have to fit smoke alarms and provide fire extinguishers.
By law, a landlord must:
Your local authority can give you more details about landlord obligations and can force landlord’s to provide adequate fire precautions.
You may not be able to force your landlord to do the necessary checks but, if you have any concerns, contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau or your local authority for further advice.
Parents may wish to check the safety of student accommodation. If you have concerns about the standard of the accommodation you should contact the university for advice. Fire Kills have produced a guide for students moving into rented accommodation (see related links).
