Asking about fire risk assessments

A letter you can copy

What to do:

  • Copy and paste the text below into an email or document.
  • Replace any text [in brackets] with your own information
  • Send the email to your landlord, or print out the document and send it by post.
  • If you are sending by post, keep a copy for yourself and a record of the date that the message was sent.

Where to use this letter

In England and Wales, where the relevant law is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order of 2005. This doesn’t apply in Scotland, but you could adapt the letter to ask more generally whether fire safety or electrical safety tests are being undertaken.


[Your address]
[Today’s date]

[Name of your contact or landlord]
[Your landlord’s address]
[Today’s date]

[Your rent/tenant ID number]

Dear [your landlord’s name],

I am a tenant of [name of your block or building] and I am writing to request information about fire risk assessments.

Could you please tell me:
– When the last fire risk assessment was conducted for my building.
– How I can view the assessment for myself.

As you probably know, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order of 2005, as a landlord you are legally required to update the fire risk assessment every twelve months, and conduct a full assessment every five years.

I would like to view the most recent assessment please. I would be grateful if you could forward it or point me towards where it can be found, by [date, two weeks in the future] at the latest. Many thanks for your help in this matter.

Yours sincerely,
[sign your name]
[print your name]


If you don’t get an answer within two weeks

Related guides

A woman throwing paper planes A woman throwing paper planes

Tools you can use

Contacting your landlord

Tips and letter templates to help you communicate with your landlord when there’s something wrong, or you want to find out more.

Guide

The corridors of my tower block are always blocked with things like buggies and furniture – are they a fire risk?

It’s important that corridors are kept clear because in case of emergency, everyone needs to be able to make a quick exit.
Image by Bobafred: the word INFO and braille beneath it Image by Bobafred: the word INFO and braille beneath it

Tools you can use

Using Freedom of Information

Freedom of Information is a way of getting information from public authorities, like councils or housing authorities. It’s available to everyone and you don’t have to be an expert to use it.
A woman holding a clipboard and looking at fire safety signs. Image by Professor Paul Wenham-Clarke A woman holding a clipboard and looking at fire safety signs. Image by Professor Paul Wenham-Clarke

Reference

What is a fire risk assessment?

Every tower block should have regular Fire Risk Assessments – they’re a legal requirement. But what does it mean for you, the tenant?
A man checking the safety of a window in a tower block. Image by Professor Paul Wenham-Clarke A man checking the safety of a window in a tower block. Image by Professor Paul Wenham-Clarke

Reference

What is a Responsible Person?

Have you seen a mention of a ‘responsible person’? What does it mean? It’s not just a description of a character; it’s actually a role defined by fire safety law.

Letter

Notifying the Fire and Rescue service about breaches in fire safety

If your landlord is breaching fire safety regulations, you can contact your local Fire Service.