Fire safety support for leaseholders
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Fire risk assessments
Responsibility for a Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) could be with:
- the owner (freeholder)
- a residents’ management company
- a Right to Manage company
- a managing agent.
In law, a ‘responsible person’ oversees fire safety in the shared parts of a building. For blocks of flats or large houses in multiple occupation (HMO) this is usually the freeholder or management company.
They give some of these responsibilities to a managing agent. This can include arranging or reviewing FRAs.
The responsible person (or agent) may carry out the FRA themselves or employ someone else to do it.
Fire risk assessments should be reviewed every 1 to 4 years
External wall system
The external wall system (EWS) is made up of the outside wall of a residential building. This includes cladding, insulation and fire-break systems
External Wall System Certificate (EWS1)
An EWS1 certificate is an external wall system fire review certificate. They were introduced in December 2019 as a way to reassure mortgage lenders that buildings over 18 metres were safe.
They were initially introduced for buildings over 18 metres, but the January 2020 changes brought all residential buildings into scope.
However, later in November 2020, owners of flats in buildings without cladding no longer needed an EWS1 form to sell or re-mortgage their property – as an agreement was reached between the government and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), UK Finance and the Building Societies Association (BSA).
EWS1 guidance has now been clarified, with new guidance coming into effect shortly
Further information on cladding external wall systems can be found on the RICS website
Information about fire safety
If you live in private blocks of flats you should follow the London Fire Brigade’s information for people who live in purpose-built flats and maisonettes
You can also book a free home fire safety visit
Advice and support for leaseholders
The Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) provide advice and guidance on residential long leaseholds(longer than 21 years). They can also advise about fire safety for leaseholders living in high-rise buildings.
Citizens Advice Barnet is an independent, local charity and a member of the Citizens Advice network. They provide free advice and support on a range of problems, such as with debt, benefits and housing.
Shelter provide housing advice covering private renting, mortgage repossession and homelessness.