Hello.

Am new round here so please be kind to me!

I've been asked to advise a commercial landlord re "fire audits" and as to whether these are the responsibility of the landlord or the tenant. The lease states that the tenant must comply with all legal obligations affecting the premises or their use, and also states that it is the tenant's responsibility to keep the premises equipped with fire prevention and fighting machinery, alarms etc and to keep them maintained and available for inspection.

I am new and not fully aware of the relevant regulations etc so if anyone could point me in the right direction re the legal responsibilities of a landlord then I would be very grateful.

Many thanks.

David

Thanks for replying.

I have a copy of the lease which just says that the tenant must "comply with all legal obligations affecting the premises or their use" which seems very general to me!

David, in some commercial premises the landlord retains responsibility for some areas (common areas, vacant units etc) and will have to make sure that fire precautions and arrangements etc are adequate and in place.

In others, the tenant accepts full responsibility for these matters by the tenancy agreement, as said by MB1.

In very broad terms, tenants will likely be responsible for those risks they create or affect (structural changes, processes, storage, housekeeping, fuels, warnings, escape routes, internal signage, lighting, fire fighting equipment etc). Where there are several tenants there will need to be communication and co-operation, involving the landlord as necessary.

"Fire audit" was the term I was given. I have assumed that by this they mean the fire risk assessment and note the advice above re common parts and vacant units. It would certainly seem advisable then at the very least for the landlord to make sure that the tenants have done a proper fire risk assessment and that adequate fire safety measures are in place.

Thanks to everyone for all their help - very much appreciated.