Bonfire Night and rental properties: Fire safety reminders landlords and tenants both forget
The fifth of November is one of the few occasions in the year that prompts a national conversation about fire, and yet the fire safety checks that matter most in rental properties tend to happen at the start of a tenancy and drift after that. Bonfire Night brings a specific set of seasonal habits that increase risk inside and outside the home: candles used more frequently as evenings darken, fireworks sometimes stored in unsuitable locations, and garden fires lit in proximity to structures that should never be close to an open flame. It is a timely prompt to revisit the basics, for landlords and tenants alike.

What landlords are required to have in place
The legal obligations for landlords around fire and carbon monoxide detection have not changed recently, but their practical state in any given property can deteriorate through a tenancy without anyone noticing.

Smoke alarms must be installed on every storey of a rental property used as living accommodation. The landlord is required to test every alarm at the start of each new tenancy and confirm it is functioning. The day-to-day responsibility for testing during the tenancy falls to the tenant, but landlords have a broader obligation to ensure the alarms remain in working order and to respond promptly when a fault is reported. A smoke alarm fitted at the start of a tenancy and not checked again until the end of it may have had its batteries removed, may have drifted beyond its sensor life, or may have been disabled by a tenant frustrated by repeated false alarms near a kitchen. None of those outcomes is visible unless someone checks.

Carbon monoxide alarms are required in every room containing a fixed combustion appliance, which includes gas boilers, gas fires, open fireplaces, and solid fuel appliances. The requirement was extended in October 2022 to include gas boilers specifically. Carbon monoxide alarms have a finite sensor life of typically seven to ten years, after which they must be replaced regardless of whether they appear to be functioning. The manufacture date is printed on the back of most units.

Fire escape routes deserve attention at this time of year. Hallways and stairwells that were clear at the start of a tenancy can accumulate coats, shoes, storage boxes, and seasonal items as the year progresses. A clear, unobstructed route from every bedroom to the exit matters considerably more at two in the morning than it does in daylight with clear sight lines.

What tenants should consider in November
Candles are used more frequently through autumn and winter, and the risk they carry is proportionate to how they are placed and how they are left. A candle on a windowsill adjacent to a curtain, or on a surface not designed for heat, or left burning in an empty room, is a genuine hazard. Battery-powered candles and flame-effect lights have improved sufficiently that they are worth considering as an alternative for the rooms where candles are most commonly used for atmosphere rather than necessity.

Fireworks kept inside a rental property are a straightforward risk that is worth stating plainly. Consumer fireworks are designed to be stored in a cool, dry location away from the main building. Storing them inside the property, particularly in an enclosed space such as a hallway cupboard, is not appropriate and creates a risk that far exceeds any convenience.

Garden fires require particular thought for tenants in properties with gardens. A bonfire within a metre or two of a timber fence, an outbuilding, or the main structure of the house creates a serious risk. Before lighting any garden fire, check what is within the immediate vicinity, keep water accessible throughout, and be aware that some local authorities have specific rules around garden fires that may apply to your area.

The practical step for this week
Both landlords and tenants should confirm that every smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm in the property is tested and functioning before the fifth of November. Landlords managing multiple properties should have this check built into their regular maintenance cycle. Tenants who discover a fault should report it to their landlord or agent in writing and retain a record of having done so. The obligation to repair rests with the landlord once a fault has been reported.

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