Launch of new fire safety guidance for rented properties welcomed by landlords

Posted under General by Jermaine

The issue of fire safety in rented properties had been a bone of contention between landlords and the authorities. The landlords were unhappy with inflexible approach of the environmental health department in enforcing fire safety measures which were not only expensive but also spoiled the elegance of the rented property.

The launch of new fire safety guidance will address the long felt need of single document defining landlord’s obligations towards safety of the rented property.

The UK’s National Landlords Association welcomed the safety guidance which will help in minimizing current figure of 300 deaths per year caused by the residential fires. According to NLA Chairman, David Salusbury, the single document on safety, in the form of LACORS (Local Authority Coordinators of Regulatory Services) guidance will remove confusion created by the fire safety legislations in the minds of landlords about their obligations. The guidance will minimize enforcements as the landlords will be well aware of requirements of safety in the rented property.

David Salusbury goes on to add that safety legislation is applicable to all forms of housing whether rented or owner-occupied or single and multiple occupation. The foreword in the guidance by the minister lends it status of an official document.

The guidance was jointly prepared by the Local Authority Coordinators of Regulatory Services, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) and Chief Fire Officers’ Association with active support of Local Government and the Communities. The NLA was part of the steering group which directed creation of the guidance.

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