Shared Housing in Supported Accommodation: A Landlord’s Fire-Safety Guide (UK)

Why this matters for landlords

Shared housing in supported accommodation supports vulnerable individuals in safe, well-managed environments but the multiple occupancy and varied layouts make fire safety critical. Navigating national guidance, local variations, and legal requirements can be confusing. This guide will help you understand essential fire-safety measures: from LACoRS guidance and FRAs to carbon monoxide detectors, fire blankets, extinguisher advice, keyless escape doors, signage, and more. Plus, you’ll learn how Freeman Real Estate (letwithcare) can simplify the whole process.

What every shared house should get right

1) Fire Risk Assessment (FRA)

A Fire Risk Assessment is the foundation. A qualified assessor inspects your property layout, occupancy, escape routes and tells you what’s needed (doors, alarms, lighting, signage, carbon monoxide detectors). The FRA also outlines maintenance, testing schedules, and documentation, your roadmap for safety and compliance.

2) Compartments & Fire Doors

Compartmentation contains fire/smoke so occupants can escape safely. That means proper fire doors (FD30/FD30S), self-closing mechanisms, and seals.

Your FRA will show exactly where fire boarding or fire-resistant partitions are required especially in basements, under staircases or between shared areas.

3) Detection & Alarm Systems

Alarms must be interlinked.

• Smaller shared houses: domestic-type hardwired and interlinked alarms with heat detectors in kitchens and smoke units on escape routes may suffice.

• Larger or complex homes: require more comprehensive coverage depending on the FRA typically a LD1 Grade A system.

4) Carbon Monoxide (CO2) Alarms

Since October 2022, landlords must install a CO2 alarm in every room with a fixed combustion appliance (e.g., boiler, gas fire) excluding standalone gas cookers. These must be functional at the tenancy start and replaced promptly if reported as faulty.

5) Fire Blankets & Extinguishers: Helpful, Not Mandatory

• Fire blankets, especially in kitchens, are a strong safety addition. Place them near exits, not over stoves.

• Fire extinguishers (multi-purpose) are useful for helping small fires but tenant awareness and risk management should guide the decision. Again take guidance from the FRA

  
  

6) Keyless Escape (Thumb-Turn Locks)

Final exit doors must open from the inside without a key. Thumb-turn mechanisms are typical and crucial ensuring no one is trapped if they lose a key during an emergency.

7) Emergency Signage & Lighting

• Signage: Helps occupants find escape routes, particularly important for unfamiliar residents.

• Escape lighting: Required in low-light corridors, complex layouts, or where natural daylight is insufficient. The FRA will advise whether full emergency lighting is needed or if basic lighting will suffice.

8) Fire Notices / Information Displays

While not always required, a fire action notice in common spaces can reassure council inspectors and occupants. It’s a practical communication step especially in supported homes.

9) Different Property Types, Different Standards

• Shared houses/HMOs: Guidance by LACoRS, tailored through FRA.

• Blocks of flats: Additional regulatory duties apply to common parts, entrance doors, and external elements.

• Care homes: Have a separate fire-safety standard reflecting resident dependency and operational staffing levels.

Why councils vary and what that means for landlords

LACoRS, although in our opinion is outdated it gives you the baseline. However, local councils may impose stricter requirements whether it’s on door specifications, alarm placement, signage standards, or equipment like extinguishers. Always verify and accommodate council-specific expectations in the FRA and your compliance plan.

How Freeman Real Estate makes fire safety straightforward

Here’s how we take fire-safety complexity off your plate:

1. Pre-let assessment: We evaluate your property and outline likely safety requirements.

2. Expert connection: We introduce you to trusted FRAs who understand all safety elements from alarms to signage.

3. Project management: We can oversee all upgrades doors, alarms, CO2 detectors, fire boarding, blankets/extinguishers, signage, lighting, handling quotes, timelines, and certificates.

4. Licensing docs: We help assemble everything councils and providers need, floor plans, compliance logs, FRA documentation.

5. Ongoing compliance: Through our management service, we maintain reminder schedules, hold documentation records, and liaise with providers and regulators as needed.

If interested in finding our how we can help with your property please visit our landlord services page - https://www.freemanrealestate.co.uk/landlords

Result: Your property is compliant, safe, and well-prepared for let - without you needing to worry about the details.

Final Word & Disclaimer

This blog is for guidance only. Fire safety must always be tailored to each property’s layout, occupancy, and local regulations. Always consult a competent fire risk assessor and check your local authority’s standards.

At Freeman Real Estate , we streamline fire-safety setup and ongoing compliance when you let to providers keeping you compliant, protected, and confident.