As a landlord in Northamptonshire of rental property, you have duties under fire safety law in addition to those of your tenants.
Which Landlords Need an Assessment
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to premises with occupants who are NOT family members of the landlord/owner. This would apply to HMOs, purpose built flats, and any other rental property with shared areas. Single let houses are covered by separate legislation relating to the rental of houses requiring working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
What an Assessor Checks in a Rental
A Fire Risk Assessor will list out all the means of escape from fire, check all Fire Doors, including self closing and other types, check the position of all Smoke & Heat Alarms on each floor, and inspect the condition of all communal areas including corridors and stairwells.
Stricter Rules for HMOs
For Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) e.g. shared houses, there are additional requirements. These include Fire Doors to be fitted to every habitable room, the installation of Interlinked Mains Powered Smoke Alarms and Fire Blankets to be located in kitchens. In addition to the above requirements, conditions may be imposed by Local Authorities in relation to the Licensing of HMOs.
Records You Must Keep
For landlords and others required to complete a Fire Risk Assessment, a written record must be completed of the assessment findings, any actions required and the date of the next review. A copy of the assessment must be provided to the tenants and a copy must be made available for inspection by any fire authority or local council as required by legislation.
When to Revisit the Assessment
In situations where there has been a change of tenants, building work or a fire incidence/near miss occurrence the Fire Risk Assessment must be re-visited.
More on Fire Risk Assessment Northamptonshire can be found at //isefireproducts.co.uk/fire-risk-assessments/northamptonshire/.
Fire Risk Assessments for Landlords across Northamptonshire – Protecting Tenants & Keeping within the Law.