FIRE SAFETY

Fire Risk Assessments for Landlords and Letting Agents

A fire risk assessment looks at what could start a fire in a property, who would be at risk, and what needs to be done to keep people safe. We inspect the property, including the shared areas of HMOs and blocks of flats, and give you a clear written report with the actions to take. For buildings with shared areas, the law requires the person responsible for the building to have a fire risk assessment of those areas. Carried out by our team.

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WHAT THE LAW SAYS

When a fire risk assessment is needed

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 covers the shared areas of buildings with two or more homes, in England and Wales.

  • Shared areas of HMOs and blocks of flats

    Stairs and corridors are shared areas. The Fire Safety Act 2021 made clear that the building's structure, its external walls and the flat entrance doors count as well.

  • The responsible person

    GOV.UK says that for common or shared areas the responsible person is the landlord, freeholder or managing agent. Where there is more than one, they have to work together.

  • Kept up to date

    The assessment must be reviewed regularly. A review is due sooner if it may no longer be valid or if something important has changed.

  • Inside a single home

    The Fire Safety Order does not apply to the inside of a single private home. Our assessment covers the shared areas and the parts of the building that serve more than one home.

WHAT WE LOOK AT

A walk through the shared areas

GOV.UK lists what a fire risk assessment needs to consider. These are the main things we check in a shared hallway.

  • Escape routes and exits are clear
  • Fire detection and warning systems
  • Firefighting equipment
  • Anything stored that could burn
  • Fire doors between the flats and the hallway

HOW IT WORKS

The five steps of a fire risk assessment

These are the steps GOV.UK sets out. Your report records what we find at each one.

  1. Identify the fire hazards

    What could start a fire, and what could burn.

  2. Identify the people at risk

    Who lives in or uses the building, including anyone who would need help to get out.

  3. Evaluate, remove or reduce the risks

    What needs to be done to keep people safe.

  4. Record the findings

    You get a clear written report with the actions to take.

  5. Review it regularly

    Book a review when the building or the people in it change.

WHO IT IS FOR

Who books a fire risk assessment

HMO landlords
The kitchen and stairs that tenants share in an HMO are shared areas, so they need a fire risk assessment.
Freeholders and managing agents
Blocks of flats have shared areas too. We assess them and send the report to whoever is responsible for the building.
Letting agents
One booking route for the buildings you manage across England and Wales, with the same clear report each time.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Fire Risk Assessment FAQs

  • Do I need a fire risk assessment for a rented property?
    If the building has shared areas, such as an HMO or a block of flats, yes. The person responsible for the building must have a fire risk assessment of those shared areas. The Fire Safety Order does not apply to the inside of a single private home.
  • Who is the responsible person?
    For common or shared areas, GOV.UK names the landlord, freeholder or managing agent. If more than one person is responsible, they have to work together.
  • What does a fire risk assessment look at?
    It looks at what could start a fire in a property, who would be at risk, and what needs to be done to keep people safe. In shared areas that includes escape routes and exits, fire detection and warning systems, firefighting equipment and anything stored that could burn.
  • How often should it be reviewed?
    Regularly. The law also asks for a review if there is reason to think the assessment is no longer valid, or if there has been a significant change.
  • What do I get after the visit?
    A clear written report with the actions to take.
  • How do I book?
    Book online or call 0800 411 8001. Fire risk assessments are quoted on request, so tell us about the building and we will send you a quote.

RELATED

Related services and tools

Health and safety inspections (HHSRS-based) HMO floor plans Legionella risk assessments Free compliance checker All services

Book a Fire Risk Assessment

Tell us about the building and we will send you a quote. Your written report follows the visit.

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Sources

The legal points on this page were checked against these official sources on .