How to complete fire checks on a rental property

As a landlord in the UK, it’s important to ensure that your rental property is safe for your tenants to live in. One crucial aspect of rental property safety is fire safety. Here’s what you need to know about completing fire checks on your rental property.

Why fire safety checks are important

Before we dive into how to complete fire safety checks, let’s first look at why they’re important. According to a recent report by Rightmove, there was a 22% increase in tenant enquiries in the UK in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. 

This means that there are more tenants looking for rental properties, which also means that there is more responsibility on landlords to ensure that their rental properties are safe. 

Additionally, Statistica reported that in 2019-2020, there were 32,094 accidental dwelling fires in the UK resulting in 223 fatalities and 3,256 non-fatal casualties. These statistics highlight the importance of fire safety checks in preventing fires and protecting the safety of your tenants.

How to complete fire safety checks on a rental property

Completing fire safety checks on your rental property doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Here are some steps you can follow to ensure that your rental property is fire safe:

Step 1: Check smoke alarms

Smoke alarms are crucial for fire safety in rental properties. As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to ensure that smoke alarms are installed on each floor of the rental property and that they’re working correctly. Here’s what to do:

• Check that smoke alarms are installed on each floor of the rental property.
• Press the test button to ensure that the alarm sounds.
• Replace any smoke alarms that are faulty or more than 10 years old.

Step 2: Check fire extinguishers

If you provide fire extinguishers in your rental property, it’s important to ensure that they’re working correctly. Here’s what to do:

• Check that fire extinguishers are located in the correct places.
• Ensure that the fire extinguishers are within their expiry date.
• Check that the fire extinguishers have not been tampered with.

Step 3: Check escape routes

Tenants need to know how to escape the rental property in the event of a fire. As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to ensure that escape routes are clearly marked and free from obstruction. Here’s what to do:

• Check that escape routes are clearly marked and free from obstruction.
• Ensure that tenants can easily open windows and doors to escape in the event of a fire.
• Make sure that tenants know the location of fire exits and escape routes.

Step 4: Record your findings

It’s important to keep a record of your fire safety checks. This can help you to demonstrate that you’ve taken all reasonable steps to ensure fire safety in your rental property. Here’s what to do:

• Use a fire safety checklist to record your findings.
• Keep a copy of the checklist for your records.
• Address any issues that you identify during your fire safety checks.

Why is PAT testing important?

You should also be checking your appliances, fittings and fixtures. PAT testing, or Portable Appliance Testing, is an essential safety check for landlords in the UK. 

It ensures that electrical appliances in rental properties are safe for tenants to use. Regular PAT testing can help to prevent electrical accidents and ensure that landlords are complying with legal requirements.

In conclusion, completing fire safety checks on your rental property is an essential aspect of being a responsible landlord. By following the steps above, you can ensure that your rental property is safe for your tenants to live in and help to prevent fires. Remember, the safety of your tenants should always be your top priority.

Get your landlord’s insurance sorted 

Protect your asset from the worst-case scenario by getting your landlord insurance sorted. Have peace of mind that your policy is in place with CIA. We’re ready to take your call on 01788 818 670 or request a call back at your earliest convenience.