Who is Responsible for Completing a Fire Risk Assessment?

Fire safety isn’t something you can shove to the bottom of the to-do list. Whether you’re running a business, managing a property or even just curious about your own responsibilities, knowing exactly who is responsible for completing a fire risk assessment is essential. It’s not just red tape either—fire risk assessments save lives, protect property and keep you on the right side of the law.

But the answer to the question at the head of this article isn’t always as straightforward as you’d hope. Does responsibility lie with the landlord, the tenant or the employer? And where does the buck stop when it comes to hospitals and clinics? 

Let’s break it down properly so there’s no confusion.

The Legal Background

In the UK, fire safety is governed mainly by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This law puts responsibility on the “responsible person”—a deliberately vague term that basically means whoever has control over the premises and the people inside it.

That person (or sometimes people, plural) has to:

• Carry out a fire risk assessment
  
• Keep it up to date
  
• Put in place fire safety measures
  
• Ensure employees or residents know what to do if there’s a fire
  

Sounds simple, but in practice, the “responsible person” changes depending on the situation.

Who is Responsible for Fire Risk Assessment – Landlord or Tenant?

This is one of the most common questions. If you’re renting a property—whether it’s commercial or residential—does the fire safety burden sit with the landlord, or does the tenant have to deal with it?

The short answer: it depends on the lease agreement and the type of property.

Residential properties

• Landlord’s role: The landlord is usually responsible for the communal or shared areas of a building (like stairwells, hallways, and shared kitchens). They need to make sure these spaces are safe, alarms are in place, and escape routes are clear.
  
• Tenant’s role: Inside your own flat or rented home, you’re responsible for not doing anything daft that increases fire risk. For example, blocking fire exits with furniture or disabling smoke alarms.
  

So, in a block of flats, the landlord sorts out the big picture (communal alarms, fire doors, extinguishers in hallways), while you keep your individual living space safe (see graphic above).

Commercial properties

In offices, shops, and warehouses, it’s a bit trickier. The landlord might still cover shared spaces (corridors, lifts, communal toilets), but the tenant—the business owner—normally takes on responsibility for their actual unit or office space.

In other words, if you’re running a café in a rented building, you’re the one who has to complete a fire risk assessment for your café. The landlord just has to make sure you’ve got a safe building overall.

The golden rule

If you’re not sure, check your lease. It will usually spell out who does what. But one thing’s clear: you can’t just assume it’s someone else’s problem. If you’re running a business, you will almost always need to do your own fire risk assessment, even if the landlord has theirs.

Who is Responsible for Completing a Fire Risk Assessment NHS?

Now, let’s talk about the NHS. Hospitals, GP practices, clinics and care facilities are unique environments when it comes to fire safety. There are vulnerable people involved, complex buildings and equipment that can increase fire risk.

So, who takes charge?

The NHS Trust or Board running the facility is ultimately responsible. That means senior management (chief executives, estates and facilities directors) have the duty to ensure fire risk assessments are carried out across their sites.

But in practice, it gets delegated. Usually, there will be:

• Fire safety managers or officers – These are the people on the ground who conduct or oversee the fire risk assessments.
  
• Department heads and ward managers – They’re responsible for making sure day-to-day fire precautions are followed in their specific areas.
  
• Staff members – Every single staff member still has a duty to co-operate. For example, not blocking fire exits with equipment or reporting faulty alarms.
  

Because of the scale of NHS premises, the assessments are complex and have to be updated regularly. It’s not like assessing a small shop or office. Hospitals often have detailed fire strategies that go way beyond the basics, and inspections are carried out by fire safety professionals.

Why Fire Risk Assessments Matter

It’s tempting to see fire risk assessments as paperwork designed to keep bureaucrats happy. But they’re much more than that. A good assessment:

• Saves lives – Fires spread quickly, but simple measures like working alarms and clear exits make a huge difference.
  
• Protects property – Insurance claims get messy if you haven’t met your fire safety duties.
  
• Keeps you legal – Failing to carry out an assessment can result in fines or, in serious cases, prison sentences.

Enforcement officers from the Fire and Rescue Service do carry out checks. If they find you’ve ignored your responsibilities, they can issue enforcement or prohibition notices, and even shut your premises down.

Common Mistakes People Make

• Thinking the landlord handles everything – Not true for businesses.
  
• Letting the assessment gather dust – It needs regular review.
  
• Copying and pasting from a template – Every building is different. A one-size-fits-all approach won’t do.
  
• Not training staff – An assessment is pointless if people don’t know the fire procedure.
  

Why You Need a Professional

Although the law doesn’t say you must hire a consultant for a fire risk assessment (just a “competent person”), it always pays to get a professional in, even if your premises are small and seem to be low-risk (say, a small office with a few computers).

If you’re dealing with more complex buildings, with lots of staff or vulnerable people (like care homes and hospitals), a professional fire risk assessor is an absolute must. You don’t get a second chance when it comes to fire and a professional inspector will often spot things you can easily miss or deem unimportant.

If you’re unsure about your fire risk assessment responsibilities or you want a professional to carry out the assessment for you, give us a call today and we will guide you through the process.

Conclusion

So, who is responsible for completing a fire risk assessment?

• In residential rentals: the landlord for communal areas, tenants for their own flats.
  
• In commercial lets: landlords for shared spaces, tenants (businesses) for their own units.
  
• In the NHS: the Trust or Board at the top level, delegated down to fire safety officers and managers.
  

But, remember, fire risk assessments aren’t just about ticking a legal box. They’re about making sure people are safe, your property is protected and your organisation is doing the right thing.

You can find out more about our fire risk assessment services here or:

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