If you’re a commercial landlord, you’ve probably got a lot on your plate—leases, maintenance, insurance, tenants… the list goes on.
But one thing that should never fall to the bottom of your to-do list is fire safety.
As the owner or manager of commercial premises, you have legal responsibilities under fire safety law.
One of the most important is making sure there’s a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment in place for the building.
In this post, we’ll walk you through what’s required, who’s responsible, what a fire risk assessment should cover, and how to stay compliant—without the jargon.
The Legal Bit: What the Law Says
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, a fire risk assessment is required for all non-domestic premises. That includes:
- Offices
- Retail units and shopping centres
- Warehouses and industrial units
- Mixed-use buildings (e.g. flats above shops)
- Business parks and shared commercial spaces
- Pubs, restaurants, salons, showrooms—you name it
If you own, manage, or control any of these types of properties, you’re legally responsible for ensuring that fire risks are properly assessed and managed.
Since October 2023, all fire risk assessments must also be recorded in writing, even for small premises or single-tenant buildings.
Who’s Responsible—Landlord or Tenant?
This is a common grey area.
The “Responsible Person” is usually whoever has control over the premises—which could be:
- The commercial landlord (you)
- The tenant leasing the space
- A managing agent
- Or, in many cases, a combination of all three
Typically, tenants are responsible for fire safety within their own demised space—like an office, retail unit, or warehouse. But as a landlord, you’re usually responsible for the communal areas, such as:
- Shared entrances and stairwells
- Lobbies, corridors, lifts
- Fire alarm panels and emergency lighting in shared spaces
- Fire exits and escape routes
If you own a multi-occupancy building (like a business centre or retail arcade), you’ll likely have broader responsibilities for overall fire safety strategy, maintenance of systems, and coordination between tenants.
So even if your tenants handle their own fire safety inside their units, you still need to ensure there’s a comprehensive fire risk assessment for the common parts—and that safety measures are coordinated across the building.
What Should a Fire Risk Assessment for a Commercial Property Include?
A good fire risk assessment will identify:
- Fire hazards (e.g. heating systems, electrics, flammable materials)
- Who’s at risk (staff, visitors, contractors, vulnerable persons)
- Condition of escape routes and exits
- Fire detection and alarm systems
- Emergency lighting
- Fire doors and compartmentation
- Signage and evacuation instructions
- Maintenance schedules for alarms and safety systems
- Coordination plans if there are multiple tenants or businesses
At ESI: Electrical Safety Inspections, we regularly carry out fire risk assessments for commercial landlords—tailoring each assessment to the layout, occupancy, and risk profile of the building. You’ll get a clear, written report that highlights any issues and gives practical, prioritised actions.
When Should It Be Reviewed?
Even if you’ve had an assessment done before, it’s not a “one and done” situation.
You should review and update your fire risk assessment:
- At least once a year
- Immediately if there’s a change in layout, occupancy, or building use
- After a fire or near miss
- When new tenants move in or old ones leave
- If the fire safety systems are upgraded or repaired
Regular reviews not only keep you compliant—they also help protect your investment and reassure tenants that you’re taking safety seriously.
Common Pitfalls for Commercial Landlords
Here are some of the issues we regularly come across:
🚫 Landlords assuming tenants are fully responsible for everything
🚫 No clear division of responsibility in the lease agreement
🚫 Fire alarm or emergency lighting systems not tested or maintained
🚫 Outdated or missing fire risk assessments
🚫 No coordination between multiple tenants in shared spaces
🚫 Lack of documented fire safety procedures for contractors or visitors
Don’t let these mistakes catch you out—especially if you have multiple properties or rely on agents to manage things on your behalf.
Why Work With ESI?
At ESI, we make fire safety straightforward for commercial landlords. Our qualified assessors (Level 3 minimum, many with Level 6 and members of the Institute of Fire Safety Managers) carry out:
✅ Fire risk assessments for individual and multi-let commercial properties
✅ Ongoing reviews and scheduled compliance checks
✅ Fire door surveys, alarm testing, and emergency lighting inspections
✅ Clear reporting, prioritised action points, and friendly follow-up support
We work across Hampshire, Surrey, and Berkshire, helping landlords stay compliant and confident.
Final Thoughts
As a commercial landlord, a fire risk assessment isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s part of your duty of care to your tenants, your visitors, and your business.
Whether you manage one unit or multiple buildings, it’s your job to ensure fire risks are properly assessed and managed—especially in shared areas.
Need a fire risk assessment for your commercial property?
Contact ESI today or book online. We’ll make sure your property is compliant, your responsibilities are clear, and your tenants are safe.
