Guide
Fire Risk Assessment for Landlords and Managing Agents
By Fire Risk Experts editorial team. Reviewed by Fire safety editorial reviewer. Last reviewed: 13 September 2026. Last updated: 13 September 2026. Next review: 13 March 2027.
Guidance for landlords, managing agents and residential building managers who control premises, common parts or fire-safety arrangements.
Direct answer
Landlords and managing agents may need fire risk assessments where they are the Responsible Person, or another duty holder, for common parts, shared services, building fabric, managed commercial areas or fire-safety arrangements under their control.
Key takeaways
- Landlords and managing agents may be Responsible Persons where they control premises, common parts or fire-safety arrangements.
- Common parts, shared services and building fabric need clear assessment records and review triggers.
- Where duties overlap, Responsible Persons and other duty holders should co-operate and co-ordinate fire-safety measures.
Fire Risk Assessments pillar
This guide is part of the Fire Risk Assessments pillar. Use it alongside related guidance and property-specific pages when preparing an enquiry.
When landlords may be the Responsible Person
A landlord, freeholder or managing agent may be the Responsible Person where they control the premises, common parts, shared services or fire-safety arrangements. In some buildings, more than one Responsible Person or duty holder may have control over different areas or measures.
- Common corridors, stairs, entrances and escape routes
- Fire doors, alarm systems, emergency lighting and firefighting equipment
- Shared plant rooms, storage areas, service cupboards or bin stores
- Commercial units, HMOs, blocks of flats or mixed-use premises under active management
What records should support the assessment?
Current guidance expects Responsible Persons to record the fire risk assessment and fire-safety arrangements. For landlords and managing agents, that means keeping enough evidence to show what was assessed, what actions were identified, who owns each action and when the assessment should be reviewed.
How should overlapping duties be handled?
Where a building has tenants, employers, contractors, a freeholder or a managing agent, fire-safety duties can overlap. The practical priority is to co-operate, co-ordinate measures and keep information clear so gaps between responsibilities do not leave risks unmanaged.
What to prepare
- Property address, postcode, use and occupancy details.
- Existing fire risk assessment and action plan, if available.
- Fire alarm, emergency lighting, extinguisher and fire-door records where held.
- Information about sleeping accommodation, vulnerable occupants or unusual risks.
Sources
- Fire safety in the workplace, GOV.UK. Accessed 2026-07-19. Responsibilities for employers, owners, landlords, occupiers and others with control of non-domestic premises.
- Fire safety: guidance for those with legal duties, Home Office. Accessed 2026-07-19. Collection of fire safety law and guidance for responsible persons.
- The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, legislation.gov.uk. Accessed 2026-07-19. Primary legislation for general fire safety duties in England and Wales.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the responsible person?
It is commonly an employer, owner, landlord, occupier, managing agent or another person with control.
Is Fire Risk Experts legal advice?
No. The site provides general guidance and lead-generation introductions only.
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