GAS & ELEC LEEDS on 0113 365 0935
9th December, 2024
GAS ENGINEERS - ELECTRICIANS
FIRE RISK ASSESSORS
For Safety Testing in UK Homes and Business Premises
NEWS
BUSINESS AND BUILDING OWNERS MUST HAVE A FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT ( Carried out by a Fire Risk Assessor ) IN PLACE TO ENABLE THE PUBLIC TO VISIT THERE PREMISES ( Every 4 Years , reviewed every 2 years ) THIS AFFECTS ALL BUSINESS PREMISES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES THEY HAVE .
THIS CAME IN TO EFFECT IN 2022 UNDER NEW LEGISLATION OF THE BUILDING SAFETY ACT 2022 .
YOU CAN BE PROSECUTED FOR NOT HAVING A FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT AS IT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE TO TRADE WITH OUT ONE , THE PENALTY CAN BE UNLIMITED FINES OR UP TO 2 YEARS IN PRISON .
BUILDING OWNERS MUST ALSO PROVIDE A FIRE STRATEGY REPORT ( carried out by a Fire Engineer )
TO THERE TENANTS OR LEASEHOLDERS , THIS IS A LENGTHY DOCUMENT USUALLY ABOUT 100 PAGES EXPLAINING THE STRUCTURE OF THE BUILDING AND ALL THE REGULATIONS THAT APPLY . THIS WAS INTRODUCED IN 2010 UNDER SECTION 38 OF THE BUILD REGULATIONS BUT IS NOW BEING ENFORCED BY THE FIRE BRIGADE AND BUILDING CONTROL DEPARTMENT IN YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY UNDER THE BUILDING SAFETY ACT 2022 , NON COMPLIANCE OF THESE FACTORS CAN RESULT IN A PROHIBITION NOTICE BEING PLACED ON YOUR PREMISES ( Closing Your Business Premises ) UNTIL RECTIFICATION WORKS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT .
THE FIRE BRIGADE HAS BEEN IN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF 2025 BEEN SENDING OUT TEAMS OF TECHNICIANS TO IDENTIFY FAULTS IN BUSINESS PREMISES WITH FIRE INSPECTORS TO CATCH PEOPLE OUT AND CARRY OUT WHAT WE HAVE EXPLAINED ABOVE .
LANDLORD COMPLIANCE
From 27 December 2025, RESIDENTIAL and COMMERCIAL LANDLORDS in England and Wales face significant new risks and liabilities under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. While major tenancy changes (such as the end of Section 21) are scheduled for 1 May 2026, the 27 December 2025 date marks the commencement of enhanced investigative powers for local councils.
Here are the key changes in fines and enforcement powers taking effect on 27 December 2025:
1. Increased Financial Penalties (Up to £40,000)
Local housing authorities (LHAs) are empowered to impose much stricter financial penalties for non-compliance.
- Maximum Civil Penalty: Fines for serious, persistent, or repeated breaches can reach up to £40,000.
- Lower-Level Breaches: Simple administrative errors or non-compliance could result in fines starting around £7,000.
- Criminal Prosecution: In the most serious cases, local councils may bypass fines and initiate criminal prosecutions, which can lead to unlimited fines.
2. New Investigative Powers for Local Councils
Councils are shifting from a "may enforce" to a "must enforce" stance, allowing them to proactively hunt for non-compliant landlords.
- Information Requests: Councils can demand documents regarding any tenancy from the past 12 months at very short notice.
- Entry Rights: Authorities can enter rented homes and business premises (including letting agents) if they suspect non-compliance.
- Data Access: Councils can access third-party data, such as Council Tax records and tenancy deposit schemes, to verify compliance.
- Document Seizure: Authorities have the power to seize documents if they suspect evidence is being hidden or destroyed.
3. Key Areas of Risk (27 December 2025 onwards)
- Illegal Evictions: Enhanced penalties for unlawful evictions.
- Missing Paperwork: Failure to provide requested documents, or providing false/incomplete records, is a specific offence.
- Property Safety: Expired safety certificates (gas, electric). Fire/Smoke Alarm Certificate , Emergency Lighting Certificate , Portable Appliance Test Certificate , Gas Installation Certificate , Air Conditioning Certificate )
- Deposit Protection: Improperly protected deposits.
- HMO Breaches: Operating unlicensed or non-compliant Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
- Illegal Tenure: Misuse of new possession grounds or attempting to use old-style fixed-term agreements improperly after the 1 May 2026 deadline.
Summary Table of Potential Fines (Estimated)
| Type of Offence/Breach | Estimated Starting Penalty (from 27 Dec 2025) |
|---|---|
| Minor/Initial Non-Compliance | ~£7,000 |
| Serious/Persistent Offences | Up to £40,000 |
| Misuse of Possession Grounds (e.g., faking sale) | £15,000 – £25,000 |
| Re-letting within 12 months of using false grounds | ~£20,000 |
| Non-compliance with Improvement Notice | £20,000 – £30,000 |
| Unlicensed HMO / Breach of Conditions |
£25,000 – £35,000 |
No Fire Risk Assessment in Place Unlimited Fines or Imprisonment
Landlords are advised to ensure all records are fully updated, transparent, and compliant before the 27 December 2025 deadline to avoid these penalties.
THE FIRE SAFETY ORDER 2005 DOES NOT INCLUDE FAMILY HOMES WITH ONLY ONE FAMILY PRESENT BUT WE ARE GETTING REQUESTS FROM CUSTOMERS THAT THE COUNCIL IS NOW REQUIRING AN ANNUAL FIRE CERTIFICATE FOR FAMILY HOMES WHICH THEY ARE ENFORCING UNDER HHSRS ( Housing Health and Safety Rating
Systems ) RULES ( Catergory 1 ) Covering Fire Hazards ) Enforced by the Housing Act 2004
We Would Charge £350.00 for carrying out such an Inspection up to a 3 Bedroom House and £400 up to a 5 Bedroomed House . Please note that you need to be an Engineer to carry out one of these tests and on this occassion it is not something you can do yourself .