Ensuring robust fire safety measures in residential properties is paramount in the UK, given the significant impact of house fires. Each year, more than 34,000 house fires occur across the UK, a stark figure that averages to approximately 93 incidents daily or one every 15 minutes. These events, with cooking appliances identified as the leading cause (44%), not only devastate homes but also tragically result in a substantial loss of life, with around 200 fire-related deaths reported annually in England.

Furthermore, failure to comply with fire safety regulations can lead to hefty fines and legal penalties, potentially reaching up to £30,000 per offence. This underscores the critical role of proactive fire safety management and the importance of services like Yuno in mitigating these risks and ensuring the safety and compliance of residential buildings.

Yuno’s case study below demonstrates how Yuno assists landlords in navigating the complex landscape of UK fire safety regulations, ensuring their properties are safe, compliant, and their investments are protected. By providing tailored compliance solutions and expert support, Yuno simplifies fire safety management for residential landlords.

Client / Property Background:Imagine a landlord couple, Mr and Mrs Doyle, who own a portfolio of three rental properties in England, including a small block of flats (three storeys, six flats) and two Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). They are finding it increasingly challenging to stay abreast of the latest fire safety legislation and ensure all their properties meet the required standards. Initial safety considerations involved understanding the specific requirements for each property type under UK law.

Regulatory Context: The relevant fire safety regulations applicable to Mr and Mrs Doyle’s properties include the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO),  the Fire Safety Act 2021, the Building Safety Act 20221 and the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022.  For the HMOs, specific licensing requirements and fire safety standards apply.

Mr and Mrs Doyle faced several challenges. Firstly, they were unsure about the specific fire risk assessments required for each property type, particularly understanding the differences between general residential properties and HMOs.  They also struggled to keep up with the evolving legislation, including the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and the implications of the Building Safety Act 2022 regarding external walls and flat entrance doors in their block of flats. Ensuring adequate compartmentation and the correct fire performance of flat entrance doors were also concerns. Furthermore, they needed to ensure compliance with the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 across all their properties.

Failure to address these fire safety issues could lead to significant risks, including endangering tenant well-being, potential legal and financial penalties, invalidation of insurance policies, and damage to his reputation as a landlord.  Non-compliance with licensing laws could also lead to lost rent and delayed transactions.

The Yuno Solution

Yuno provided Mr and Mrs Doyle with a comprehensive and tailored compliance solution, using Yuno’s proprietary technical solution to review the property (using it’s UPRN) and create an action plan of relevant compliance, licensing and fire safety requirements..Yuno then offered to arrange professional fire risk assessments for each property, conducted by accredited fire Risk Assessors experienced in residential properties, including HMO-specific assessments.  Yuno’s approach focuses on assessing properties as homes rather than large commercial buildings, ensuring recommendations are reasonable and practical.

Key Actions: The key actions facilitated by Yuno included:

• Arranging comprehensive Suitable and Sufficient Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) for all properties, identifying potential hazards and areas for improvement in line with the FSO and the Building Safety Act 2022.  These assessments considered compartmentation, fire doors, fire stopping, and escape routes
• Providing clear and actionable FRA reports with practical recommendations for any required upgrade work, all being Reasonable and Practical.
• Offering support with the implementation of necessary fire safety measures, such as the installation of mains-powered, interlinked smoke alarm systems and ensuring compliance with fire door regulations
• Providing guidance on fire stopping solutions to seal gaps and holes, maintaining compartmentation
• Educating Mr and Mrs Doyle on his responsibilities under the updated Fire Safety Order, including record-keeping requirements and the need to provide fire safety information to residents
• Offering automated ongoing support to ensure long-term compliance, including updates on regulatory changes

Yuno’s service leverages their expertise in residential property compliance, ensuring that assessments are tailored to the specific needs of landlords and their tenants.  Their understanding of LACORS case studies, Approved Document B, and British Standards, among others, helps provide advice that aligns with local authority and fire brigade expectations. Yuno also emphasises providing clear “reasonable and practical recommendations”, balancing safety with the usability of the property.  Yuno also uses proprietary digital tools to track ongoing compliance and automate reminders for inspections and renewals.

Implementation & Execution

Timeline: The process began with an initial consultation in January 2025. Fire risk assessments were conducted across Mr and Mrs Doyle’s properties within a four-week period. The subsequent implementation of recommended upgrades, such as fire stopping and alarm system checks, was completed within two months, concluding in May 2025.

Stakeholder Collaboration: Yuno collaborated directly with Mr and Mrs Doyle as the landlord. Yuno also engaged and managed qualified accredited contractors for specific works and, where required, liaised with the local fire and rescue authority for advice on complex issues.

Challenges During Implementation: One potential challenge involved coordinating access to all flats in the small block for fire door inspections.  Yuno provided guidance on communicating with tenants and scheduling inspections efficiently.

Results & Impact

• Achieved compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Fire Safety Act 2021, Building Safety Act 2022, and Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 across all of Mr and Mrs Doyle’s properties.
• Reduced the identified fire risk rating for each property based on the FRA reports.
• Ensured all required fire safety documentation, including fire risk assessments, was correctly recorded and maintained
• Provided peace of mind for Mr and Mrs Doyle and his tenants, knowing that the properties are safe and compliant
• Enhanced Mr and Mrs Doyle’s reputation as a responsible landlord
• Ensured that Mr and Mrs Doyle is meeting his legal duties, mitigating the risk of fines and legal disputes
• Improved tenant safety awareness through the provision of clear fire safety information

Before engaging Yuno, Mr and Mrs Doyle were uncertain about the specific fire safety requirements for their diverse property portfolio and the actions needed to ensure compliance. Following Yuno’s intervention, all properties underwent thorough fire risk assessments, and necessary upgrades were implemented. As a result, Mr and Mrs Doyle now have a clear understanding of their ongoing responsibilities and access to continued support from Yuno, including licensing and planning for a full end to end solution and peace of mind.

Quotes: “Yuno’s comprehensive approach to fire safety compliance has been invaluable. They took the complexity out of the regulations and provided clear, practical solutions for all my properties. I now have peace of mind knowing my tenants are safer and my business is protected.” – Mr and Mrs Doyle, Landlord

Supporting Statement: Mr and Mrs Doyle expressed significant satisfaction with Yuno’s expertise and the efficiency of their service, highlighting their proactive communication and support throughout the entire process

Lessons Learned & Best Practices

Industry Insights: This case highlights the importance of proactive fire safety management for landlords, especially those with varied property portfolios.  Keeping abreast of the latest legislation, such as the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and the Building Safety Act 2022, is crucial. Engaging competent professionals for fire risk assessments and upgrade works ensures that measures are “suitable and sufficient” and “reasonable and practical”

Tips for Similar Projects:

• Conduct thorough fire risk assessments for all rental properties, tailored to the specific property type (e.g., HMO vs. small block of flats)
• Prioritise fire safety measures such as ensuring adequate compartmentation, maintaining fire doors, and installing working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

• Maintain accurate records of fire risk assessments, maintenance works, and information provided to residents

Learn more about our tailored fire safety solutions and how we can simplify compliance for your portfolio at  Fire Safety Support