The Fire Safety (England) Regulations place duties on responsible persons. Requirements vary with the building, including its height. Establish who holds the fire risk assessment, manages doors and common areas, and supplies resident information.
Identify the building's responsibilities
Check the whole residential building and who is responsible for common parts and fire precautions.
- Establish the responsible person, building height and storeys, and the measures applying under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations.
- Obtain the relevant fire risk assessment and action information through the responsible party. Identify issues affecting the rented flat or its access.
- Distinguish the landlord's obligations inside the flat from building-wide duties, while ensuring problems are passed to the person who can act.
Give residents the right information
Instructions must fit the building's actual fire strategy.
- Provide required fire-safety and fire-door information through the appropriate responsible person and keep provision evidence.
- Explain the reporting route for damaged doors, obstructions or alarm faults. Do not invent evacuation instructions from another building.
- Check flat entrance doors and any relevant inspection arrangements. A door closer removed for convenience can affect protection.
Coordinate alterations and follow-up
Small changes can compromise the building's fire precautions.
- Check door replacement, service penetrations, ceiling work and alterations with a competent adviser before they proceed.
- Track assessment actions and defects to completion with suitable evidence. Follow up work controlled by a managing agent.
- Review after incidents or material changes and retain updated information. An old assessment is not proof of the present condition.
Example: a cable passes through a separating wall
A fictional broadband installation leaves an unsealed penetration through a fire-resisting wall. Ask the responsible competent person to assess and rectify it with an appropriate system. Ordinary filler should not be assumed to restore the wall's performance.
What to do
- Identify the responsible person and your own repair obligations.
- Obtain the relevant fire information and action status.
- Check the height-specific duties and coordinate work with the building manager.
Evidence to keep
- Responsible-person details and fire assessment
- Action log, relevant checks and resident information
Sources and guidance
- Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022UK Government · checked 20 October 2026