The responsibilities of property managers explained
What do landlords need to know about fire safety?
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.
Fire Risk Assessment
It's mandatory for you to carry out a detailed assessment identifying the risks and hazards in your premises.
By law, if you are responsible for the premises, you need to make sure that a Fire Risk Assessment has been completed by someone competent to do so and that you record the findings. For more information please see our Fire Risk Assessments page, including how to find a competent assessor.
Alarms and safe structure
You must 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.
The Emergency Plan
You should 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:
Group A
Local Authorities, Registered Social Landlords, and landlords of private residential blocks.
Group B
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.