Important Fire Safety

Your safety and wellbeing are extremely important to us, and we take our responsibility as your landlord very seriously. We are committed to providing homes that are safe, well-maintained, and compliant with all relevant fire safety regulations, but just as importantly, we want you to feel informed, confident, and protected in your home.

Fire safety is not just about equipment such as alarms or fire doors — it is about making sure that everyone living in the property understands what to do in an emergency. Knowing how to respond quickly and correctly if a fire alarm sounds can make a critical difference in keeping you and others safe.

We strongly encourage all tenants to take the time to read the fire safety information relevant to their property carefully and to ensure that everyone in the household or shared property is familiar with these procedures. This includes family members, visitors, and anyone else who may be staying in the property.

If you are ever unsure about fire safety arrangements, notice damaged or faulty equipment, or have any concerns at all, please contact us immediately. We would always much rather you report something that turns out to be minor than risk safety.

Your home should be a place where you feel secure. We are committed to doing everything reasonably possible to support that, and we appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe living environment for everyone.

Fire Safety Standards in HMO Properties

All of our Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) are designed, upgraded, and maintained in line with current building regulations and fire safety regulations. These enhanced standards reflect the shared nature of the accommodation and are in place to provide the highest reasonably practicable level of protection for all residents.
As part of this, HMO properties are equipped with a range of fire safety measures, which may include:

• Class A fire alarm systems, designed to provide early warning throughout the entire building
• Emergency lighting, installed to illuminate escape routes in the event of a power failure
• Fire extinguishers and fire blankets, provided in appropriate locations for emergency use
• Fire doors fitted with self-closing mechanisms, designed to slow the spread of fire and smoke
• Clearly displayed emergency fire action instructions on each floor of the building

All tenants must familiarise themselves with the emergency notices and fire action instructions displayed within the property, including the escape routes and assembly point information. These notices are provided for your safety and the safety of others.
These systems are intended to work together to support safe evacuation and to assist the emergency services if a fire occurs.

Your Role in Keeping the System Effective

While these safety measures are robust, they rely on tenants acting responsibly. Fire doors must never be wedged open, emergency instructions must not be removed or defaced, and all fire safety equipment must be treated with care and respect.
If you notice anything that does not look right — such as damaged fire doors, missing signage, non-functioning emergency lighting, or faults with the fire alarm system — it is essential that you report this immediately.
Fire safety in an HMO depends on both the systems in place and the behaviour of those living in the building. By following the guidance provided and respecting the safety features installed, you are helping to protect yourself and everyone else in the property.

Emergency Routes

Every property is different, and it is not possible to provide a detailed, bespoke escape plan for each individual home. For this reason, tenants are expected to take personal responsibility for familiarising themselves with the emergency exit routes within the property they live in.

Knowing how to get out safely in an emergency is essential and should be treated as a priority, not something to think about only when an alarm sounds.

Familiarising Yourself With Exit Routes

All tenants should take time to identify and understand:

• The normal and alternative routes out of the property
• The location of final exit doors
• Any internal stairways that form part of the escape route
• Which windows may be used as an emergency means of escape, where applicable
• How doors and windows open, including locks and restrictors

Exit routes should always be kept clear and accessible.

HMO Properties

In Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO), designated escape routes are clearly identified and are supported by:

• Emergency lighting
• Exit signage
• Fire action notices displayed on each floor

These features are provided to guide residents safely out of the building in the event of a fire, including during a power failure or low visibility conditions.

Tenants must familiarise themselves with the posted emergency instructions and follow the signed escape routes at all times.

Single Household Properties

In single household (family) homes, escape routes may not be signposted or illuminated. In these properties, tenants must rely on common-sense exit routes, such as:

• The main entrance door
• Back or side exit doors, where present
• Escape windows, particularly from upper floors

Tenants should ensure they know how to open windows quickly and safely and that keys, locks, or security devices do not prevent escape in an emergency.

A Shared Responsibility

Fire safety equipment and alarm systems provide warning — but safe escape relies on people knowing how to leave the property quickly and calmly.

Tenants are responsible for making sure they understand the escape routes within their home and for ensuring that exits and access points are not blocked, obstructed, or made unusable.

If you are unsure about exit routes, window openings, or have concerns about your ability to escape safely, you must raise this with us as soon as possible.