Fire Safety
So, you're looking for a house to share with your mates. What with all you've got to think about: can you afford the rent, can you really stand sharing with 8 other people, how far will you have to stagger from your favourite local; fire safety might not seem like a major priority.
We beg to differ, and so does the government which is why they've pulled out all the stops to publish laws to protect tenants. And who said no one ever did anything for you?! Here's a step by step guide to what you need to look out for:
The laws that matter to you depend on the number of you in the house:
- If you're sharing with two or more others, the house will be a 'House in Multiple Occupation' (HMO).
- If you're going to be on your own, with one other person, your partner or your family, then you'll be living in a non-HMO.
Information on fire safety standards for both types of property can be found below.
Feel free to contact us if you're not sure which applies to you.
Fire Safety Guide for HMO's
If you’re sharing with two or more mates, either in a house or a private hall, your landlord has to provide:
- Adequate fire precautions and means of escape from fire
- Automatic fire alarm and detection system
- Safe electrical installation
- System of emergency lighting
- Fire fighting equipment
What to look for:
- Smoke detector ‘heads’ in the hall, on the landing and in every room except the bathroom
- Automatic door closers on all your internal doors, except the bathroom. The doors should be tight fitting with strips around the edge.
- If there are locks on the bedroom doors, there should be no keyhole on the bedroom side (so you don’t need to use a key to escape if there’s a fire)
- The front door lock should have no keyhole on the inside (same reason)
- A copy of an electrical safety test certificate
- A fire blanket and fire extinguisher in the kitchen (there may be others elsewhere in the house but it’s important to have them in the kitchen)
Dos and Don’ts
Do:
- Make sure the house has all of the above. If not, move on to the next one and let us know
- Get together with your housemates to come up with an escape plan in case of an incident
Don’t
- Prevent your landlord from entering your house (with 24 hours written notice) to service extinguishers or the fire detection system
- Tamper with the smoke detector heads – they are wired to the mains
- Block any passageways, the landing, hallway etc., with bikes, furniture, plants, traffic cones, etc.
- Prop your bedroom door open or disconnect the door closer
- Set off fire extinguishers to see what happens – believe us, it’s not that interesting and you might need them in future
Fire Safety Guide for non-HMOs
If you rent self contained accommodation for two people or a family, your landlord has to make sure that the property is safe (this is his/her 'common law' duty - contact us if you want more info on this)
What to look for:
- Smoke detectors in the hall and on the landing
- Fire blanket and fire extinguisher in the kitchen (check to see if extinguishers have been serviced)
Dos and Don'ts
Do:
- Ask the landlord to supply fire extinguishers and equipment that would allow you to fight a small fire. If the landlord refuses, don't sign up for the house / flat - move on to the next one and let us know.
- Once you move in, make an escape plan, in case an incident occurs.
Don't:
- Disarm smoke detectors by taking out the battery. It's not worth risking your life for less than the price of half a lager. Check the batteries regularly, replace them and hoover dust out of the alarms.
- Set off fire extinguishers to see what happens - believe us, it's not that interesting and you might need them in future
Where now?
You can find further information at www.direct.gov.uk. Follow the link for 'home and community', then 'private renting and letting'.
