Resident safety is a top priority for us and we are committed to going above and beyond when it comes to safety in our buildings. We want to help you prevent fires in your home and protect the lives of you and your loved ones.
If you’re a shared owner or leaseholder, you’re responsible for:
- Gas, oil and solid fuel appliance and electrical tests to your home, as well as maintaining and testing smoke alarms.
- This means you’re responsible for making sure that a 'Gas Safe' registered engineer services the heating system every year
- If you want to fit any gas appliances, you’ll also need to employ a 'Gas Safe' registered engineer to do the work.
- You must also make sure that a qualified electrical engineer carries out any electrical work to your home. Our leaseholder responsibilities page tells you more.
If you live in a building with shared areas, we are responsible for:
- Managing fire safety in these areas and for any communal gas or electrical installations.
- Making sure that fire risk assessments (FRAs) are up-to-date and that there are appropriate smoke detectors and fire alarms, fire doors and other fire safety measures. We regularly review any fire risks and the procedures for preventing and reporting fires.
- Displaying Fire Action Notices in the communal areas. These give the fire safety procedures to follow in the unlikely event of a fire, so please read these and contact us if you're not sure.
We are part of the national Primary Authority scheme. This means we have a legal partnership with one fire authority (Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service) to give us advice we can apply to how we manage fire safety for all our homes.
We also work closely with London Fire Brigade and other local fire authorities (particularly where we have taller blocks, schemes for older people or supported housing) so they’re aware of our fire safety arrangements for the buildings in their area.
You can find out more about fire safety - including safety in flats, taller buildings and keeping communal areas clear - using the links below.
(If you're a tenant, please visit our fire safety for tenants page for information that's tailored to your responsibilities.)
Fire safety in flats
Find out about the fire safety measures in place and checks we carry out to your home and building if you live in a flat, plus information on what to do in the event of a fire.
Fire safety in taller buildings
Our hub for information about managing safety in our taller buildings, including advice for customers and more about FRAs and EWS1 forms.
Fire safety in communal areas
If you live in a building with shared communal areas, you must make sure you keep them clear of clutter and rubbish. Our video of a corridor fire and its effects shows why this is so important.
EWS1 FAQs
Information on government guidance and the issues around the safety of some external wall systems in blocks, plus EWS1 surveys and forms: what they are and who needs them.
Fire doors
Fire doors are a critical element in fire safety. Find about our safety inspection and fire door replacement programmes - and the Fire Door 5 Step Check you can carry out to support us.
Get Fire Smart top tips
Advice on preventing fires in your home (from cooking and electrical items to smoking and candles), balcony and BBQ safety, monthly checks and making an escape plan