Responsibilities of Occupants

Occupants of Higher-risk residential buildings (HRRBs)  have several key responsibilities to ensure the safety and compliance of their living environment. By fulfilling these duties, occupants contribute to a safer living environment for themselves and their neighbours. Main responsibilities include:

1. Cooperation with Safety Measures: Occupants must comply with safety measures implemented by the building owner or manager (accountable persons). This includes allowing access for safety inspections and maintenance work such as annual checks on flat front doors, and following the premises housekeeping policies, such as the restriction of use of doormats or barbecues.
2. Reporting Safety Issues: Occupants are required to report to the building owner or managing agent any safety concerns or defects in their building promptly. This helps ensure that potential hazards are addressed quickly.
3. Adhering to Safety Instructions: Occupants must Following any safety instructions provided by the building owner or manager is crucial. This might include evacuation procedures, fire safety protocols, and other emergency measures. This also includes notifying the Responsible Person if you may have difficulty evacuating in the event of a fire, so that arrangements can be made or information provided to the Fire and Rescue Service is accurate and up to date.
4. Maintaining Safety Equipment: Occupants should not tamper with or disable safety equipment such as smoke detectors, fire alarms, sprinkler systems, and fire doors. Ensuring these devices are functional is vital for everyone's safety.
5. Participating in Safety Drills: Where applicable, Occupants should engage in regular safety drills and training sessions organized by the building management helps occupants be prepared in case of an emergency.

Under Section 96 of The Building Safety Act 2022 a contravention notice may be served on residents and owners of flats in HRRBsif they are breaching their duties or causing a building safety risk.

Make sure you and your visitors are aware of what to do in the event of a fire. Guidance from NFRS can be found here.