Fire Safety Regulations in Rental Properties: What Landlords and Property Managers Must Know

Fire safety is critical for anyone managing rental properties, from individual landlords to estate and block managers. With legislation evolving and the risks of non-compliance potentially catastrophic, understanding and meeting fire safety regulations is more important than ever.

At No Letting Go, we offer comprehensive fire safety inspections as part of our property reporting services. Although we don’t undertake maintenance or repairs, our function is to inspect, record, and report on fire safety compliance — assisting landlords and property professionals in maintaining legal requirements and ensuring tenants are safe.

This handbook categorises which fire safety regulation applies to the UK‘s rental sector, who is liable, and how frequent inspections can aid compliance.

Why Fire Safety Matters in the Rental Sector

Fire is one of the most significant hazards facing tenants in rented accommodation. Malfunctioning fire doors, missing alarms, and obstructed means of escape can all lead to avoidable injury or death. For landlords and managing agents, non-compliance can result in drastic financial and legal penalties, including fines, prosecutions, and damage to reputation.

By adhering to fire safety legislation and conducting regular inspections, property managers can demonstrate due diligence, ensure residents’ safety, and fulfil their legal obligations.

Key Fire Safety Legislation for Rental Properties

Several laws and regulations provide the context for fire safety in the private rented sector and block management. The most significant ones are:

The Housing Act 2004

Introduced the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), which lists fire hazards as one of the 29 hazards landlords need to manage.

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 (amended 2022)

It makes provision for a minimum of one smoke alarm per floor that is used as living accommodation and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a solid fuel appliance or gas boiler.

The Fire Safety Order 2005 (Regulatory Reform Order)

It applies to communal spaces in blocks of flats and HMOs. Responsible individuals (landlords, agents, or managing agents) must conduct a fire risk assessment and implement measures to minimize fire risks.

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022

Enforced since 23 January 2023, bringing with it new duties for maintaining fire doors and fire safety systems in multi-occupied residential buildings above 11 metres in height.

Responsibilities of Landlords and Block Managers

• For single-let properties, landlords are required to:
• Fit working smoke alarms on each floor.
• Fit carbon monoxide alarms where necessary.
• Make escape routes safe and accessible.
• Use fire-safe furniture and furnishings.
• Perform risk assessments if the property is classified as a house in multiple occupation (HMO).

For HMOs and blocks of flats, landlords and block managers have to:

• Fit regular fire risk assessments for communal areas.
• Make sure fire doors are fitted and maintained correctly.
• Inspecting emergency lighting, fire alarms, extinguishers, and signs.

Meeting the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 by performing quarterly fire door checks (in communal areas) and best endeavours, such as annual inspections of flat entrance doors.

These are not choices — they are requirements under the law.

What Does a Fire Safety Inspection Include?

From No Letting Go, our visual fire safety checks assist property experts in detecting and recording possible fire dangers. Although we don’t do maintenance or repair work, the reports provide you with the necessary data to take corrective action when needed.

We can include the following within our inspections:

Fire door examinations: We review the condition, performance, self-closing mechanisms, gaps, and damage.

Smoke and heat detectors: Visual presence and location verification (testing can also be performed).

Escape paths: Confirm that corridors, stairways, and doors are clear and passable.

Fire safety signs: Confirming proper signs are present and legible.

Shared areas — Recording storage of combustible materials, obstructions, or tripping hazards.

Firefighting apparatus — Visual inspections of extinguishers and other protective devices.

All results are recorded in a comprehensive digital report with photographic proof, available via our cloud-based system with a complete audit trail.

The Significance of Fire Door Inspections

According to the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, fire door inspections are now required in specific buildings. These are:

• Quarterly inspections of all fire doors in communal zones.
• Annual inspections (best endeavours) of flat entrance doors in blocks above 11m.

Fire doors are among the most important aspects of fire and smoke spread prevention. Even minor flaws—e.g., a lack of self-closer or improper gaps—may make them ineffective.

We at No Letting Go provide single fire door inspection or as part of a larger property inspection or check-out report.

How Inspections Support Compliance

Although inspections do not satisfy all legal obligations (e.g., undertaking complete fire risk assessments or carrying out physical improvements), they are a central component of your compliance policy. Here’s why:

Evidence for enforcement: If enforcement action is taken, your inspection records support it as proof of due diligence.

Early problem detection: Early identification of problems lowers the risk of fire and the cost of rectification works.

Enhanced safety of tenants: Routine inspections promote a more secure place to live, supporting tenant satisfaction.

Time and money savings: Our national network and easy-to-use software minimize the administrative burden on landlords and agents.

Final Thoughts

At No Letting Go, we offer the inspection and reporting services you require to maintain fire safety efficiently—all without entering the realms of maintenance or repairs. Our goal is straightforward: We exist to keep you compliant, safeguard your properties, and ensure your tenants’ safety.

Want to book a fire safety check or fire door inspection? Contact No Letting Go and let our UK-wide team assist with your compliance process.