The new fire safety bill was recently passed into law on the 23rd of January and is aimed at improving the safety of people living in high-rise buildings in the wake of recent tragic fires. As a result of this bill, many leaseholders are now facing new requirements and responsibilities when it comes to fire safety in their buildings.
The act places new responsibilities on the "responsible person," which can include the leaseholder, building owner, or managing agent.
One of the key provisions of the new bill is that leaseholders are now responsible for paying for fire safety measures such as the installation of fire alarms and sprinkler systems as well as including things like: keeping fire doors in good working order, having smoke alarms installed, and making sure that electrical wiring and appliances are in good condition. This can be a significant expense for leaseholders, especially for those living in older buildings that were not originally designed with fire safety in mind.
Leaseholders who fail to comply with these new requirements may face penalties, including fines or even legal action. It is important for your blocks responsible person to be aware of the new fire safety bill and to take steps to comply with its provisions as soon as possible. Better safe than sorry I say!
If in need of any advice on your buildings fire safety obligations following the new regulations, drop us an email at info@everpresent.london
Do you know what your fire obligations are?
Yes, I'm on top of it all
Not quite, it's so hard to keep up
See an overview of the new regulations in the Home Office factsheet here.
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