Everything you need to know about the requirement for Fire Risk Assessments at your rental property.
Please reach us at info@propertysafe.co.uk if you cannot find an answer to your question.
In short: Yes
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 mandates that all non-domestic premises, including rental properties, must undergo a Fire Risk Assessment.
Failure to meet these requirements can result in severe consequences, including fines or, in extreme cases, imprisonment.
In short: An assessment of fire risks and a plan to mitigate them
A Fire Risk Assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of potential fire hazards within a property and the measures in place to mitigate these risks. By identifying and addressing these hazards, landlords contribute significantly to the safety and well-being of their tenants. This not only safeguards lives but also helps prevent injuries and property damage in the event of a fire.
The assessment is just that - an evaluation of your property and the associated risks. We will produce a report with logical and realistic advice, none of which is mandated on the landlord, who can pick and choose what/if they complete any works based on our advice - as ultimately it's the Landlord's responsibility to make safe their property.
In short: When a tenancy changes or every 2 years
The law suggests that a fire risk assessment is reviewed regularly. It is recommended that a review is conducted annually to ensure fire hazards are still identified and managed to meet the legal requirements.
A review should be conducted if changes in the premises may impact any of the fire safety measures, some examples are:
Your fire risk assessment must be valid and up to date, as well as reviewed regularly. This ensures that fire safety measures meet the correct standards and reduce the risk to life due to fire.
In short: Cheaper insurance, peace of mind & save money in the long term
Beyond the legal and moral aspects, a Fire Risk Assessment is an investment in protecting your property. Fires can cause extensive damage, leading to significant financial losses. By implementing safety measures based on the assessment, landlords can minimize the impact of potential fires and preserve the value of their investments.
Many insurance providers require landlords to conduct regular Fire Risk Assessments as a condition of coverage. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in voided insurance policies, leaving landlords financially vulnerable in the event of a fire. By conducting assessments and meeting insurance criteria, landlords ensure that their investment is adequately protected.
In short: They range from £199 to £249 depending on the size of the property.
You can find our more, here
In short: As soon as possible
An assessment can be completed at the start, during or at the end of a tenancy. We are happy to complete the assessment with or without your tenants in situ
In short: No
We take a realistic view to our Fire Risk Assessments and understand (as does the relevant laws) that your property is someone's home. We won't advise you to have safety signage on every wall or that every door needs to be replaced with a fire door set.
We will assess your property and make reasonable suggestions to improve fire safety
Conor Shilling, Letting Agent Today
Would you rather...
A: Pay a £10,000 fine, plus £1000s in redevelopment costs & £1000s in lost rent
B: Arrange a low-cost Fire Risk Assessment
That's what the landlord in this particular situation is probably asking himself. You can read more about it here.
Fire safety is often something that's overlooked when considering how to ensure your rented property is compliant. Most landlords will ensure their gas safety certificate, PAT certificates and electrical certificates are up to date - but what about the Fire Risk Assessment?
It's the LANDLORD'S responsibility make certain that their tenants are safe from fire whilst renting their property and that means that a Fire Risk Assessment must be completed by a competent person usually every 12 months.
The landlord in this particular example was prosected. Prosecuting, Ms Karen Galloway stated:
“The responsible person is always in a position of authority, their lack of actions should have been foreseeable to prevent, in the event of fire, persons being put at risk of death or serious injury.”
“The contraventions in this case were serious and would have continued had the Fire Authority not acted immediately.”
So going back to the original question posed - would you rather pay £10,000 + in fines and damages, or arrange a Fire Risk Assessment and remain compliant?
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