Domestic Landlords & Fire Risk Assessments

Commonly, within domestic properties, a fire risk assessment will not be needed to be conducted however the below will provide clarification.

If you have a rental property over 2 storeys and on a single tenancy agreement?

If you have a property that is on a single tenancy and is two floors or less such as a bungalow or a standard residence you do not need a fire risk assessment. But you do need domestic grade D smoke detectors.

However, it is strongly recommended that you install smoke detectors on each floor:

• A smoke detector should installed in an appropriate position in an area of circulation such a ground floor hallway.
• Smoke detector head being no more than 3 metres away from the bedroom doors on the 1st floor.
• The installation of a heat detector in the kitchen is paramount as this type of detector only activates when there is a rise in temperature that indicates a fire.
• It may also necessary to install a carbon monoxide detector in the room or rooms where there are solid fuel burning appliances such as a coal or log burning open fire.

When do I need a fire risk assessment on a property?

The conditions that do make fire risk assessments necessary within “domestic” properties do occur, these conditions are in relation to what the property is being used for suck as:

• Communal parts of blacks of flats or houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
• Guest accommodation properties, such as bed and breakfast premises.

Based in the risk prevent the fire risk assessor may decide to decrease or increase the level of protection or Category of system which is based on Approved documents B (England and Wales. 

Overall a fire risk assessment can lead to greater levels of compliance and safety and additional peace of mind when renting out domestic properties. 

This article is my contribution to create awareness for the landlords of domestic properties.