Fire Regulations and Domestic Property

The new FIRE SAFETY ACT 2021 (which comes into force on a date to be confirmed but expected to be in 2023) makes changes to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 to confirm and clarify that any building containing TWO OR MORE DWELLINGS must be subject to a FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT as to certain features of the building such as:-

External walls and any doors or windows in such walls and anything attached to those walls;

Any common parts and

All doors between the domestic premises and common parts.

Works which may be needed to comply with the fire safety regulations can sometimes be costly so anyone buying/leasing such a building or part thereof should be aware of the potential bill that could be headed his/her way once the regulation come into force if the building is not already compliant. It would therefore be prudent to consider requesting a fire risk assessment for any current purchases so that any such future costs can be taken into account by the buyer (even though the new Act is not yet in force).

The contents of this article do not constitute legal advice and are provided for general information purposes only.