Fire safety in rented accommodation

Fire safety is important in all rented accommodation, but particularly in Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) where the fire risk can be higher.

Both local housing authorities and fire authorities enforce fire safety requirements in HMOs, although councils often take the lead.

The main national guidance on fire safety was published by LACORS in 2008 – ‘Housing Fire Safety – guidance on fitre safety provisions for certain types of existing housing’.

In 2009, a short clarification document was issued by LACORS in conjunction with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and the Chief Fire Officers Association. It provided further advice on a range of issues including defining risk, shared houses, protected fire escape routes, escape windows and fire safety in single family houses. Both documents can be downloaded below.

In small standard layout HMOs with no heightened risk factors, it may be possible for the landlord to undertake the fire risk assessment. Either way, it is a legal requirement to have one completed. London Fire Brigade recently promoted the National Landlord Association Fire Safety logbook that can be used to record the assessment. You can find out more information here. 

Over time, we plan to expand this section to provide more information about fire safety requirements in private rented accommodation. After all, ensuring your tenant’s safety is one of the key responsibilities of being a private landlord.

•  LACORS Housing Fire Safety Guidance 2008
•  LACORS Fire Safety Guidance Clarification 2009