As of October 1st, 2023, the next phase of the Building Safety Act will take effect, with significant implications for landlords overseeing communal spaces in buildings, particularly those renting out individual rooms in properties. Section 156 of the Act introduces updated requirements concerning fire risk assessments and providing fire safety information to tenants.

The new obligations for landlords in Engand include:

• Maintaining a comprehensive written fire risk assessment
• Record of the company that conducted the assessment
• Demonstrating the management of fire safety on the premises
• Sharing contact information with co-responsible parties and tenants
• Taking reasonable steps to identify other responsible parties within the building
• Transferring relevant fire safety data to any incoming responsible individuals
• Providing tenants with easily understandable fire safety details

In addition to existing requirements under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, these changes apply to landlords in England. Following these new requirements, an updated version of the How To Rent Guide is to be released on 30th September 2023.