Landlords are required to maintain existing fire escapes and if there is a risk to health and safety then legal action can be taken to resolve the problem.
Cladding used for insulation can constitute a serious fire hazard and result in tragedies such as the Grenfell Tower disaster.
In the UK, landlords have a responsibility to keep their properties safe and free from health hazards. In terms of fire safety, the law states that landlords must:
– Follow safety regulations
– Provide a smoke alarm on each storey and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a solid fuel burning appliance (for example a coal fire or wood burning stove)
– Check that tenants have access to escape routes at all times
– Maintain existing fire escapes and if there is a risk to health and safety then legal action can be taken to resolve the problem.
– Make sure that any furniture supplied is fire safe
If there is smoke or fire damage in the property, it is the landlord’s responsibility to carry out repairs. However, landlords are not responsible for replacing or repairing any personal belongings that have been damaged or destroyed by fire.
Regarding flammable wall cladding, landlords are responsible for ensuring that their properties meet fire safety standards. In 2018, the UK government introduced new regulations banning the use of combustible materials in external walls of buildings over 18 metres tall. The regulations also require building owners to remove any existing combustible materials from external walls.