Fire safety regulations are not the work of some pedant in an office, they are necessary to protect people from the dangers of fire by alerting them to some of the dangerous practices they partake in every day. They also help you discover if you are living in an unsafe environment. If you are renting accommodation, your landlord is responsible for adhering to certain fire safety regulations. Unfortunately, not all of them attempt to, so it is up to you to ensure that your building meets all fire safety regulations. The gas, electricity and fire safety of the house should be thoroughly checked before you agree to move in.

It is your landlord’s responsibility to ensure that all gas installations and appliances are in perfect working order. They should have all appliances and gas pipes that they have provided to the tenants checked by a registered Gas Safe Engineer. They also are required by law to have a qualified engineer check the house every 12 months to ensure that it passes gas safety standards. Landlords must also keep a record of this safety check for two years and give a copy to the existing tenant within 28 days. Any new tenants that move in must also be given a copy. If you bring in your own gas supply to the accommodation however, you are completely responsible for it.

Fire safety regulations also dictate that landlords are responsible for the safety of all electrical equipment within the house. Washing machines, fridges, cookers and toasters must all be safe to use for the tenant. Also, the landlord must have wiring and fuses checked by a qualified electrician on a regular basis. Any injury sustained by a tenant due to faulty wires are the fault of the landlord. If they supply the tenant with any new appliances, they must also supply the requisite instruction manuals. As a tenant, you must be vigilant and alert the landlord to any issues regarding fuses, wiring, appliances or sockets.

The 2004 Housing Act is one of the most recent fire safety regulations pertaining to landlords. It ensures that the landlord has to check that there are adequate escape routes in case of fire. If the property exceeds a certain size, they are obliged to provide fire alarm equipment and fire extinguishers. Any property deemed to be a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) by the local council is subject to further licensing laws. These include the aforementioned gas safety checks. Also, all furniture and furnishing provided by the landlord must meet specific fire resistance regulations.

Contact your local Environmental Health Officer for more details about your landlord’s obligations regarding fire safety regulations. If your rented accommodation uses gas for heating and cooking, make sure that the landlord carries out every check that he is supposed to by law. The same applies for electrical appliances and find out whether the property you are renting is large enough to warrant free fire extinguishers and smoke alarms. Never sign any tenancy agreement until you are completely satisfied that all fire safety regulations have been adhered to.