Rented property fire regulations

MJude15

Hello, this is my first time posting so I hope this is okay. 
I moved into a new rented flat and only after a conversation with the site manager found out that there are issues with the current fire regulations of the build. I was not made aware of this by the letting agent and I was just wondering whether this is acceptable or not? Thank you for any help.

user1977

What are the "issues"? What country are we talking about? What sort of tenancy?

MJude15

I am awaiting an email with a complete description of issues. But, from the conversation I can remember the site manage said it was to do with the building not meeting standards of how it stops the spread of fire. We are in England. Tenancy wise a year contract through a letting agent. 

tacpot12

It is not really acceptable to rent out a property where the building does not meet the relevant building regulations. 

Is the property a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) ? If it is, you could check with your local authority whether the landlord needs a licence for it. (Not all HMOs need a license). If he needs a licence, you  could raise the issue with the local authority as they may withdraw his licence, which will mean you will have to leave the property.

If the house is not a HMO, you could ask your local authority to conduct an assessment under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). They may find other issues that you are not aware of and help get the landlord to resolve the issue more quickly. 

AdrianC

MJude15 said:

I moved into a new rented flat and only after a conversation with the site manager found out that there are issues with the current fire regulations of the build. I was not made aware of this by the letting agent and I was just wondering whether this is acceptable or not?

I'm not sure the issue here is tenancy-related.

This is a new-build, right?

So the suggestion is that it's simply not had BR sign-off. In which case, it shouldn't be being occupied by ANYBODY yet...

dimbo61

There are thousands of flat owners and renters living in high rise properties which don't meet Fire safety standards !
Have you not heard of the Grenfell Tower fire  ?
Did you check or ask the Letting Agents if the rental property was safe ?
Does it have 24/7 fire marshals on duty ?
Have you tested the smoke alarms and found the closest emergency exit in the event of a fire ? 
Fire blanket in the kitchen, Fire extinguishers ? CO alarm of gas boiler, job or fire !
Fire doors ?

MJude15

UPDATE. I know have the full details in the email below: 

Every apartment block if built to the regulations standard can operate what's known as a "stay put policy" 

This policy basically means if Apartment 10 has a fire with in the apartment apartment 9 and 11 either side should be safe within their apartments for no less than 1hr fire should not be able to penetrate the corridor any new apartments under 1hr. 

At 'my building' after an intrusive survey we discovered areas had not had fire stoppage works completed on complition of the build. 

Our fire alarm system was not designed for this type of issue and was designed purely as an automatic vent system.

The main areas with fire stoppage issues are above the ceilings on party walls walls leading to communal areas above ceilings in particular where services penetrate walls and where stack pipes / drainage pipes penetrate floor levels.

Due to the compartmentation issues we moved the building to an evacuation policy and initiated waking watch.

All residents, agents and leaseholders where advised of these issues and we regularly re issue this information. 

Works on the communal areas took place in July to November 2020

Apartment works begun march 2021 and are ongoing expected to complete October 2021.

Hope this clears up some of the confusion, sorry my initial post was not very well informed. 

AdrianC

So it's not new-build, just a pre-existing block suffering from the usual post-Grenfell confusion and ongoing work?

No issue with it being let, then.

MJude15

AdrianC said:

So it's not new-build, just a pre-existing block suffering from the usual post-Grenfell confusion and ongoing work?

No issue with it being let, then.

That is correct. I know there is no issue with it being let. I am just wondering whether they have to make a tenant aware of this before contracts are signed or whether I have to ask. As I know some things have to be asked and some have to be disclosed upfront.

AdrianC

MJude15 said:

AdrianC said:

So it's not new-build, just a pre-existing block suffering from the usual post-Grenfell confusion and ongoing work?

No issue with it being let, then.

That is correct. I know there is no issue with it being let. I am just wondering whether they have to make a tenant aware of this before contracts are signed or whether I have to ask. As I know some things have to be asked and some have to be disclosed upfront.

No, there is no requirement at all.

HampshireH

MJude15 said:

AdrianC said:

So it's not new-build, just a pre-existing block suffering from the usual post-Grenfell confusion and ongoing work?

No issue with it being let, then.

That is correct. I know there is no issue with it being let. I am just wondering whether they have to make a tenant aware of this before contracts are signed or whether I have to ask. As I know some things have to be asked and some have to be disclosed upfront.

They don't no.

Just out of interest what would you have done differently if anything?

Was the fire evacuation procedures explained to you when you asked? 

The only issue would be had you been told a stay put policy was in place when in fact it isn't. As clearly you would have been misinformed and that could put life at risk.

If you asked and they refused to tell you gave you wrong info this would be something you could follow up but the outcome would be an apology at best I expect.

Most buildings like this have a notice board with information on it about fire safety accessible to all residents to cover a situation where one may not be aware.

I guess from a new tenants POV the only "issue" will be you needing to allow access for said works to be completed later this year. ☺️