Asking who the Responsible Person is

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

This letter is suitable for tenants in England and Wales only: in Scotland, the laws around fire safety are different and there’s no legal concept of the ‘responsible person’.

[Your address]
[Today’s date]

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

[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 the Responsible Person for my block.

As you will probably be aware, under the Fire Safety Regulatory Reform Order of 2005, landlords must take reasonable steps to reduce the risk from fire and make sure people can safely escape if there is a fire, and the Responsible Person is the person responsible for overseeing this, and addressing any fire risks that regular Fire Risk Assessments pick up.

I would be grateful if you could inform me who the Responsible Person is for our block.

Many thanks for your help in this matter. I look forward to receiving your reply by [date, two weeks in the future] at the latest.

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

If you don’t get an answer within two weeks

Related guides

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

Asking about fire risk assessments

Ask your landlord when the last Fire Risk Assessment was held and how you can see it for yourself.
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?