Fire safety and HMOs: Days to go until new rules introduced

Landlords are being urged to prepare for new fire safety rules, which come into effect in just a few days' time. 

On Monday 23rd January, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 will come into force. Landlords who are the responsible person of a high-rise building, or a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) let on a room-only basis, must provide more information to occupiers on fire safety. This includes information on fire door safety and evacuation routes. 

The new rules are being introduced by the Government following the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. 

They apply to all buildings provided the property is:  

• Split into at least two premises; and 

• There are communal parts through which residents must pass to exit the building. 

• As a result, if you are the responsible person for a house in multiple occupation and you let the property by the room, then you are caught by some of the information requirements, though the requirements are relatively minimal. 

Similarly, if you own a property where there is a shop on one floor and a residential premises on the second floor this regulation will apply to the common parts. 

If the whole property is let on a joint tenancy, then these requirements do not apply to you. However, as the information provided could be useful in saving lives, there is nothing to stop you also providing it. 

What changes will be introduced?  

All landlords must already comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. In addition to this, the new rules mean the ‘responsible person’ will also need to provide fire safety instructions to occupants, including tenants. To help landlords understand the new legislation, the NRLA has developed a new guide for members, which covers: 

• Who the regulations apply to, including who the responsible person is 

• Practically, what landlords need to do depending on their property 

• An editable template example of the notice the responsible person needs to hand to tenants, and display in communal parts of the property 

• Fire safety risk assessments 

The NRLA expects guidance around enforcement to be published in the near future.

To learn more about fire safety, members can access more resources here.