Guide
Who Is Responsible for a Fire Risk Assessment?
By Fire Risk Experts editorial team. Reviewed by Fire safety editorial reviewer. Last reviewed: 19 July 2026. Last updated: 19 July 2026. Next review: 19 January 2027.
How to think about responsible person duties across employers, landlords, managing agents and shared premises.
Direct answer
The responsible person is normally the person or organisation with control of the premises, such as an employer, landlord, occupier, managing agent or building manager.
Key takeaways
- Responsibility follows control of premises or parts of premises.
- Shared buildings can have several duty holders.
- Lease terms do not remove statutory duties automatically.
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.
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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Send the practical details and we will review the enquiry for suitable provider matching.
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Fire Risk Assessments
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Next step
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