Fire Safety Advice to Landlords
Fire safety tips for landlords; If you rent a property to other people then you are not only responsible for the property itself but all for the fire safety of the people who occupy the premises/
There are two main pieces of legislation that govern the fire safety responsibilities of landlords, namely The Housing Act (2004) and The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
As a rule of thumb the following are a landlord’s responsibility:
Ensure that smoke alarms are fitted in the property on each level of the property in every home or flat and outside sleeping areas.
Ensure that a fire risk assessment has been carried out for each property. Fire risks assessment should be carried out by a trained competent person and the landlord should ensure compliance with the requirements of The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) 2005. Regular reviews should also be undertaken as and when required.
Ensure that all electrical and gas appliances and fitting comply with current legalisation and that they are regularly checked and certified. You should be able to provide evidence of testing and maintenance when required.
A fire exit route should always be marked and known to residents. You should have procedures in place to ensure that the escape route is kept free from rubbish and that all landings, staircases and hallways are free from rubbish etc. You should also ensure that rubbish is not allowed to accumulate in any rubbish stores and does not become a fire hazard.
You may also need to provide fire extinguishers
People should be able to open all doors from the inside (e.g. without having to remove a lock first) and fire-resistant and self-closing doors should be installed as they help to prevent a fire from spreading.
Ensure that you have relevant signage in communal areas and hallways. For example, fire exit signs that highlight the exit route or fire action signs that show what to do in the event of an emergency.
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