Fire safety in rented homes
Find out what your landlord should do to keep your rented home fire safe
Your landlord's fire safety responsibilities
Your landlord must:
provide smoke alarms if you rent privately
repair problems with the gas or electricity supply
make sure furniture and appliances they provide are safe
They may have extra obligations if you live in a house in multiple occupation (HMO).
Smoke alarms
If you rent from a private landlord, they must install:
smoke alarms on each floor of your home
carbon monoxide detectors in rooms with a coal fire or a wood burning stove
Carbon monoxide detectors are recommended but not required if you have gas or oil heating.
The alarms and detectors must be in working order:
when they are installed
at the start of a new tenancy
You are responsible for checking they are still working after that. If an alarm or detector stops working, ask your landlord for a replacement.
These rules don’t apply if you are lodger or rent from a council or housing association. You can still ask for alarms and detectors to be installed.
If your landlord hasn’t fitted smoke alarms
Ask your landlord to put in smoke alarms or carbon monoxide detectors
You can complain to the council if the landlord refuses or doesn’t get back to you.
The council can issue a notice requiring your landlord to fit and test alarms and detectors within 28 days.
The council can fine your landlord and fit the alarms themselves if necessary.
Fire safety in shared homes
Your landlord has extra responsibilities if your shared home is licensed as a house in multiple occupation (HMO).
They must:
make sure there are clear routes to escape from a fire
arrange an electrical inspection every 5 years and give you the latest report
The council can also require landlords to put in fire doors, fire extinguishers or fire blankets.
Electrical fire safety
Electricity is a major cause of accidental fires in the home.
Things to look out for include:
damaged wiring
sockets that do not work, have burn marks on them or feel hot
loose plugs or torn cables on electrical appliances provided by the landlord
Contact your landlord if you're worried about electrical safety in your home.
Gas safety
Faulty gas appliances or pipework in your home can cause gas leaks, fire risks and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Contact your landlord if you're worried about gas safety in your home.
Furniture fire safety
Any upholstered furniture your landlord provides, such as sofas, cushions and mattresses, must have a label to show that it meets fire safety standards.
This applies to both new and second hand furniture made after 1950.
Complain to the council about fire safety
If your landlord won't deal with fire risks in your home, you can ask your local council’s environmental health department for help.
They can inspect the property and take action against your landlord if your home is unsafe.
Some landlords will take steps to evict tenants who complain about an unsafe home.
Help with housing after a fire
You can ask for homeless help from the council if you are made homeless by a fire.
They will usually have a duty to give you emergency accommodation.
Your landlord's responsibilities to repair the property after a fire may depend on what the cause was.
You will normally still be liable for rent if your home is damaged by fire.
Last updated: 4 August 2019
