Fire safety in flats in England: a guide for residents
Staying in your home during fire safety repair work
If your building has fire safety problems, work may be needed to make it safe. This work is called ‘remediation’. It can include replacing unsafe materials on the outside of the building (known as cladding) or fixing fire doors.
In most cases, you can stay in your home while remediation work is planned or carried out.
Your building owner, managing agent or landlord must tell you if it’s safe to stay in your home.
Sometimes extra safety measures are used to reduce risk while work is being arranged and carried out, including:
- temporary fire alarms
- extra fire wardens
- changes to evacuation plans
When you may have to leave your home temporarily
In some cases, it may not be safe for you to stay in your home. You may need to move out temporarily if:
- there is a serious fire safety risk
- urgent work cannot be carried out safely while people are living in the building
- a fire and rescue service or the local council says the building is unsafe
Who will tell you if you need to leave
Your building owner, managing agent or landlord will usually tell you if you need to leave your home.
In some cases, you may be told to leave by your local council or fire and rescue service. This can happen if they take formal action because they believe the building is unsafe.
Whoever tells you to leave will explain:
- why you need to leave
- when you need to leave
- how long you are likely to be away
- what support is available
- when you can return to your home
These arrangements may be set out in a legal agreement (known as a ‘Decant Agreement’).
Before you move temporarily
If you need to leave your home, your building owner or managing agent will help you prepare for the move.
They will explain:
- what you need to take with you
- whether you need to move your belongings
- how your post will be redirected
If you need help moving your belongings, ask your building owner or managing agent what support is available.
Where you will stay
Your building owner or managing agent will discuss arrangements for temporary accommodation if you need to leave your home.
They will consider:
- the size of your household
- any medical or accessibility needs
- location, including the distance from work, family or school
If the accommodation offered is not suitable, contact the building owner or managing agent.
In some cases, your local council may provide emergency accommodation.
Contact your local council if you need help with accommodation arrangements.
Who pays for temporary accommodation
Who pays for temporary accommodation depends on your housing situation.
If you own your home
The cost of temporary accommodation depends on your lease and any insurance cover in place.
Contact your building owner or managing agent to find out what support is available through buildings insurance.
You will still need to pay your mortgage and service charges while you are away. Contact your lender and building owner if you have questions about your payments.
If you rent your home
The cost of temporary accommodation depends on your tenancy agreement and any insurance cover available.
You will still need to pay rent while you are away. You may still have to pay service charges. Check your tenancy agreement or talk to your landlord.
If you live in social housing
Your housing association or local council is responsible for the cost of temporary accommodation.
You will still need to pay your rent and service charges. Check this with your local council or housing association.
How long you may need to leave your home for
The amount of time you need to stay in temporary accommodation depends on the work needed to make the building safe.
Your building owner, managing agent or landlord should keep you updated on progress and how long it will take.
You can return home when it is safe to do so. This may be before all work is complete if appropriate safety measures are in place. Your building owner, managing agent or landlord will tell you when you can return and what arrangements are in place.