Housing Fire Safety Checklist: Are You Meeting Your Legal Duties?
If you’re a landlord, property manager or housing provider in the UK, fire safety isn’t just a moral responsibility, it’s a legal requirement. To help you stay on top of your obligations, we’ve created this practical Housing Safety Checklist to make sure you are meeting your legal duties.
Whether you manage a single flat or a portfolio of HMO’s, staying compliant with fire safety laws protects your tenants, your property and your reputation. In this blog post you will learn everything from fire risk assessments to fire door inspections and how professional support can make the process simple and stress-free.
Why Fire Safety Matters
As the ”Responsible Person’ under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, you’re legally required to take reasonable steps to reduce fire risks and ensure people can safely escape in the event of a fire.
Since the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, enforcement has become stricter, especially for multi-occupancy buildings and blocks of flats.
Updated Fire Risk Assessment Standard
On 1 August 2025, the British Standard Institution (BSI) introduced BS 9792:2025 – Fire Risk Assessment: Housing, Code of Practice, the first formal British Standard for fire risk assessing in housing.
What’s New in BS9792:2025?
A new pro forma for clearer, standardised reporting.
Stronger guidance on evacuation and resident needs.
Alignment with the Building Safety Act 2022 and the latest safety law.
Plain English commentary for improved clarity and defensibility.
It is important going forward to check that your fire risk assessments align with BS 9792:2025. Our dedicated team has developed new reports designed specifically for the new standard.
Fire Risk Assessments
Fire risk assessments are essential in flats, HMO’s, shared and sheltered accommodation. They identify hazards, ensure alarms and escape routes are effective, and help housing providers meet legal duties. Most importantly, they protect residents by reducing fire risks and ensuring safe evacuation.
Required for all non-single private dwellings (HMO's, flats, maisonettes, etc).
Must be recorded if you have 5+ occupants or are a licensed HMO.
Should be reviewed regularly - at least annually or when changes occur.
👉 A professional fire risk assessment will highlight hazards, recommend actions, and prove compliance if inspected.
Fire Doors & Compartmentation
Fire doors must be fitted and maintained in HMO's and flat entrances.
Compartmentation (walls, ceilings, risers, ducts) must prevent fire spread between units and escape routes.
Housing providers should ensure fire door inspections and passive fire protection surveys are carried out by competent persons.
👉 We offer fire door inspections and fitting, as well as full passive fire surveys to spot hidden issues.
Smoke Alarms & Detection Systems
At least one smoke alarm per floor.
A heat alarm in every kitchen.
Interlinked alarms required in most HMO's and new builds.
Systems must be tested regularly.
👉 Ensure hardwired or tamper-proof alarms where legally required.
Fire Extinguishers & Emergency Lighting (if applicable)
Required in HMOs or communal areas of blocks.
Must be serviced annually.
Emergency lighting should be installed in escape routes.
Fire Safety Signage & Evacuation Plans
Clear signs for fire exits, extinguishers, and call points.
Evacuation displayed in communal areas (especially for blocks of flats or HMOs).
Maintenance & Record-Keeping
To stay compliant, you must document all inspections, servicing and assessments.
FRA dates and actions taken
Alarm Testing
Door maintenance
Fire drill logs
Penalties for Non-Compliance
The responsible persons who fail to comply with fire safety laws can face:
Unlimited fines
Prosecution
Invalidated insurance
Tenant claims
In extreme cases, imprisonment
How Assured Fire Safety Consultancy Can Help
At Assured Fire Safety Consultancy, we offer:
Fire Risk Assessments
Fire Door Inspections & Installations
Passive Fire & Compartmentation Surveys
Ongoing fire safety support packages for landlords, housing providers and managing agents
Contact Us!
Our experts can guide you through exactly what your building needs to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the new British Standard to help you stay compliant moving forward.
Housing Fire Safety Checklist: Are You Meeting Your Legal Duties?
If you’re a landlord, property manager or housing provider in the UK, fire safety isn’t just a moral responsibility, it’s a legal requirement. To help you stay on top of your obligations, we’ve created this practical Housing Safety Checklist to make sure you are meeting your legal duties.
Whether you manage a single flat or a portfolio of HMO’s, staying compliant with fire safety laws protects your tenants, your property and your reputation. In this blog post you will learn everything from fire risk assessments to fire door inspections and how professional support can make the process simple and stress-free.
Why Fire Safety Matters
As the ”Responsible Person’ under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, you’re legally required to take reasonable steps to reduce fire risks and ensure people can safely escape in the event of a fire.
Since the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, enforcement has become stricter, especially for multi-occupancy buildings and blocks of flats.
Updated Fire Risk Assessment Standard
On 1 August 2025, the British Standard Institution (BSI) introduced BS 9792:2025 – Fire Risk Assessment: Housing, Code of Practice, the first formal British Standard for fire risk assessing in housing.
What’s New in BS9792:2025?
It is important going forward to check that your fire risk assessments align with BS 9792:2025. Our dedicated team has developed new reports designed specifically for the new standard.
Fire Risk Assessments
Fire risk assessments are essential in flats, HMO’s, shared and sheltered accommodation. They identify hazards, ensure alarms and escape routes are effective, and help housing providers meet legal duties. Most importantly, they protect residents by reducing fire risks and ensuring safe evacuation.
👉 A professional fire risk assessment will highlight hazards, recommend actions, and prove compliance if inspected.
Fire Doors & Compartmentation
👉 We offer fire door inspections and fitting, as well as full passive fire surveys to spot hidden issues.
Smoke Alarms & Detection Systems
👉 Ensure hardwired or tamper-proof alarms where legally required.
Fire Extinguishers & Emergency Lighting (if applicable)
Fire Safety Signage & Evacuation Plans
Maintenance & Record-Keeping
To stay compliant, you must document all inspections, servicing and assessments.
FRA dates and actions taken
Alarm Testing
Door maintenance
Fire drill logs
Penalties for Non-Compliance
The responsible persons who fail to comply with fire safety laws can face:
How Assured Fire Safety Consultancy Can Help
At Assured Fire Safety Consultancy, we offer:
Contact Us!
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