A PropTech firm claims that its research shows a third of tenants have not seen fire safety certificates or information about what to do in an emergency - and it wants landlords to do something about it.
A trade publication article by Maria Hudson, chief executive of construction software company Zutec, says a third of 2,000 UK tenants surveyed had not seen any fire safety information or certificates in their homes or buildings - something she describes as “an incredibly concerning statistic.”
She’s now urging landlords to ensure that the correct and most up-to-date fire safety information is available to all their tenants. Not only that, and double-check that a fire risk assessment has been carried out on their property, which will identify potential hazards to be removed or changed.
She says that in future landlords should commission a full audit and risk assessment of their property portfolio, checking that correct fire information exists and is prominently displayed or accessible. “Not only is this a legal requirement, but it will also put tenants’ minds at ease, making them feel safer in their homes” she adds.
Landlords can also take steps towards ensuring that there is nothing combustible inside their property, as well as reminding tenants to keep stairs and doorways clear so that they can easily reach fire escapes.
Hudson writes: “Accessible fire escapes are crucial to fire safety. It is important that tenants know where these are so that they can exit the building quickly should the worst happen. It is down to the landlord or asset owner to provide this information.
“The only way tenant safety can be prioritised, however, is if landlords take action to display the relevant certificates. This is important as the documentation provides vital legal information that certifies the building as safe.
“It is their responsibility and I hope that, in the future, landlords will do their utmost to ensure tenants have the correct fire information.”
And she concludes by saying there is no excuse for landlords not to invest in time-saving and potentially life-saving digital tools which can aid and improve fire safety compliance, especially as supporting software now allows checks to be recorded, and provides imagery and video for visual proof.
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