Your responsibilities for keeping your building safe.
We're all responsible for building safety.
If you live in a high-rise council building, you must help to keep homes and buildings safe. This includes tenants, leaseholders and other occupants.
What you can do
- Keep communal areas (such as hallways, staircases and fire exits) landings and walkways clear of anything that could catch fire or get in someone's way in an emergency, including rubbish, shoes and buggies.
We'll remove and potentially get rid of any items found in communal areas that could put people at risk. - Let us in to your home to make safety checks. You have a legal obligation to let us into your home to carry out safety checks and works. This is to keep everyone in your home safe. Our staff and contractors will always carry photo ID.
- Follow health and safety advice or instructions and report repairs or safety concerns to us immediately.
- Keep fire doors closed and follow your building's procedure for fire evacuation.
- Store scooters, bikes and other large items safely.
- Always ask us first if you want to make any alterations to your home.
- Never remove the door closer on your front door or remove or change any door in your home. This includes your letterbox or fitting a cat flap. If you do, it can make your home less fire safe and put you, your family and your neighbours at risk.
- Do not damage, remove or tamper with safety items, such as fire doors, signage, sprinklers, smoke alarms or fire extinguishers.
- If you have a balcony, keep it free of clutter.
- Tell us if you, or someone you live with, would need help to get out in an emergency. We can give you advice and support if it's needed.
- Think about the safety of your neighbours and the people living in your building.
If you see anyone behaving in a way that could make your building less fire safe (for example, storing things in communal areas or changing fire doors) report it immediately.
Your responsibilities are also explained in the Building Safety Act and your tenancy agreement.