Staying safe in your home
Whether you’re renting a flat, house, or shared home, fire safety is something every tenant should take seriously. It’s not just about compliance, it’s about keeping you, your household, and your belongings safe.
While landlords have legal duties to provide a safe property, tenants also play a key role in preventing fires and reporting problems quickly. Let’s explain what’s required by law and what you can do to help protect your home and family.
What landlords and letting agents must do
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Housing Act 2004, and Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022, landlords are legally responsible for ensuring a rented home is safe from fire risks.
At a minimum, your landlord or letting agent must:
– Install smoke alarms on every storey of the property.
– Install carbon monoxide alarms in any room with a solid fuel, gas, or oil-burning appliance.
– Ensure all escape routes are clear and safe.
– Provide fire-resistant furnishings in furnished properties.
– Maintain electrical and gas safety standards (including annual gas safety checks and five-yearly electrical inspections).
– Make sure that fire doors, emergency lighting, and fire extinguishers are provided and maintained where legally required, especially in HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation).
Your landlord must test all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at the start of your tenancy and repair or replace them if you report a fault.
Your responsibilities as a tenant
As a tenant, you also have an important role in keeping your home fire safe. You should:
– Test smoke alarms monthly and report if they’re not working.
– Keep exits clear, and never block hallways, stairs, or windows that could be used to escape.
– Use electricals safely, and don’t overload sockets or use faulty appliances.
– Avoid tampering with safety equipment, including fire doors or alarms.
– Let your landlord or agent know if you spot damaged wiring, faulty heaters, or missing alarms.
– Be extremely cautious with candles and smoking materials. These remain common causes of house fires.
Remember: landlords are required to make repairs when you report an issue, so never hesitate to raise a safety concern.
What to expect in a shared or HMO Property
If you live in a shared house (HMO), such as a student flat or shared accommodation, additional rules apply.
Your landlord must:
– Provide fire doors on bedrooms and key escape routes.
– Install interlinked smoke alarms throughout the property.
– Fit emergency lighting if required by the fire risk assessment.
– Ensure escape routes are always clear and well-maintained.
If you’re unsure whether your property counts as an HMO, your local council’s website can confirm and outline specific fire safety standards.
What to do if you have Fire Safety concerns
If you’re worried about fire safety in your rented home:
1. Report your concern to your landlord or letting agent in writing and keep a record.
2. If nothing changes, contact your local council’s housing standards team, who can inspect the property.
3. In serious cases, you can also speak to your local Fire and Rescue Service for advice.
It’s illegal for landlords to evict tenants for reporting genuine safety issues. You are protected under ‘retaliatory eviction’ laws, so always speak up if something doesn’t seem right.
5. Simple Fire Safety tips for tenants
Here are a few easy ways to reduce risks at home:
✓ Check smoke alarms monthly.
✓ Keep candles on sturdy surfaces, away from curtains.
✓ Don’t leave cooking unattended.
✓ Unplug electricals when not in use.
✓ Close internal doors at night to slow fire spread.
✓ Plan your escape route and share it with everyone in the household.
6. A shared responsibility
Fire safety works best when landlords, letting agents, and tenants all play their part. it is important to make fire safety a priority, from regular property inspections to ensuring every home meets current regulations.
If you have a concern about fire safety in your rented home, our team is here to help. Together, we can make sure your home remains a safe and comfortable place to live.
If you need to report a fault, you can do so here.
