Fire regulations for rental properties
Over the years there has been a dramatic increase in fire regulations for rental properties that landlords need to follow. Therefore, it’s essential that a landlords property has the correct safety certificates in place for gas and electric. In addition to knowing the current rules and regulations, landlords must keep up to date with any legal changes. These may be triggered by a court case or could simply be improvements in general safety legislation. Changes can be imposed nationally, at country level or even just locally via your local authority. Failure to adhere to the correct regulations could put tenants at risk of fire and could have catastrophic consequences. If you’re a landlord and you are unsure of the correct guidelines to follow, keep reading to find out more.
Keeping it legal
If landlords don’t keep up with current regulations, they could end up with tens of thousands of pounds worth of fines. Or even worse, tenants could get injured. It’s understandable to think as a landlord that it’s unlikely to happen to you, but the truth is many landlords are being fined and even jailed for fire safety breaches. Visit the government website for up to date Fire regulations for rental properties:
- The Housing Act 2004, including the Housing Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
- Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988/1989, 1993 and 2010
- The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (2005)
- The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015
- Building Regulations
- The Housing Act 2004, including the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
- Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988/1989, 1993 and 2010
- The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015
Fire regulations for rental properties: HMOs
Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) will usually have enhanced fire safety rules, in addition to the ones already mentioned. For HMOs landlords should not only follow the legal laws but also use practical, common sense when it comes to safety. Many things can go wrong in HMOs, especially when there are lots of people living together who may not know each other. These are the minimum fire regulations for rental properties (HMOs):
- Keep all exits clear from obstructions
- Ensure fire extinguishers (one on each floor), blankets (especially in the kitchen) and fire alarms are all installed properly and in good working condition
- Clearly mark fire exits, providing clear instructions are available on what to do in case of a fire, ideally displayed on the wall in a communal area
- Making sure you have annual gas safety checks
- Check all electrical devices at least once every five years
If you’re looking for a reputable, experienced HMO property management company then view our HMO services.