A New Year means New Legislation for Landlords

On 23^rd January 2023 the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 will come into force.

 

These new regulations will predominantly apply to high-rise buildings, specifically those over 11 metres and 18 metres or at least over seven storeys with communal areas. 

 

However, section 9 and 10 does relate to all buildings with two or more domestic premises and communal areas, which would lead us to assume that in addition to buildings with self-contained flats, these regulations will also apply to rooms let on individual tenancies in HMOs.

 

It is also assumed if there has been a conversion and the structure comprises two maisonettes with front doors on the street and no communal area, these regulations will not apply.

 

So what do you need to do if these regulations apply to your type of property

 

Section 9- Fire safety instructions to residents 

 

A responsible person must display fire safety instructions prominently in communal areas. The instructions must include the following:

 

·       how to evacuate a building,

how to report a fire to fire and rescue, and

·       any other instruction that tells residents what to do when a fire has occurred.

 

In addition, the responsible person must provide a copy of the instructions:

 

·       to all residents within the building within 12 months of the start of the regulations;

·       to a new resident as soon as reasonably practicable after they move in; and

·       to all residents every 12 months

 

The regulations also state that these instructions will be provided to the occupant when there is a change and annually.

 

Section 10- Fire doors

 

Requires the responsible person to provide information about the fire doors in the building, whether or not they are within the individual dwelling or the communal parts. That information must include that:

 

·       all fire doors are to be kept closed when not in use,

·       residents or their guests should not tamper with any self-closing devices, and

·       residents should immediately report any fault or damages to the fire doors to the responsible person.

 

This information must be given to all existing occupiers within 12 months of when the regulations come into force (23^rdJanuary 2023) and to all new occupiers as soon as reasonably practicable after that resident moves in. 

 

The information must be given annually as a refresher.

 

The full Act can be viewed Here: 

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2022/547/contents/made