Creative Green Energy Services for Landlords
Just like employers, landlords have certain legal obligations when it comes to fire safety and protection of their properties and the safety of people who reside in their premises. However, it is not as simple as ensuring there is a couple of fire extinguishers to hand – fire safety largely depends on the potential risks and the different types of buildings can cause confusion. For example, a building that is used for a single tenancy will differ to one which is shared across commercial and residential lettings.
Legislation requires that landlords carry out fire risk assessments in all areas of their properties. This process will identify any fire hazards and who is at risk and decide if anything needs to be done to remove or reduce that risk.
Private sector landlords will be required from 1 October 2015 to have at least one smoke alarm installed on every storey of their properties and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room containing a solid fuel burning and/or combustion appliance. After that, the landlord must make sure the alarms are in working order at the start of each new tenancy.
NB: There are responsibilities on premises that have no landlord- e.g. 4 flats with common area, lease or freehold. The flat owners are jointly ‘responsible persons’ and need to ensure legislative requirements are met and maintained.
Carrying out the assessment
⛑Identify the fire hazards.
⛑Identify people at risk.
⛑Evaluate, remove or reduce the risks.
⛑Record your findings, prepare an emergency plan and provide training.
⛑Review and update the fire risk assessment regularly.
You’ll need to consider:
?emergency routes and exits
?fire detection and warning systems
?fire fighting equipment
?the removal or safe storage of dangerous substances
?an emergency fire evacuation plan
?the needs of vulnerable people, for example the elderly, young children or those with disabilities
?providing information to employees and other people on the premises
?fire safety training
Help with the assessment
You can do the fire risk assessment yourself with the help of standard fire safety risk assessment guides.
If you don’t have the expertise or time to do the fire risk assessment yourself you need to appoint a ‘competent person’ to help, for example a professional risk assessor.
Sources: https://www.gov.uk/workplace-fire-safety-your-responsibilities/fire-risk-assessments; https://www.dsfire.gov.uk/YourSafety/SafetyAtWorkandotherplaces/Adviceforlandlordsandlettingagents/documents/Firesafetyadvicetolandlords.pdf
Legislation: Housing Act 2004; Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015; Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (2005); Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS)
