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Tis year, the results were much closer, but there was still little consensus. 64% believed flammable products, cooking and electrical faults to be a large cause of fire risk, 62% believed broken fire doors and faulty appliances were a large risk, and 61% said tenant failures.


THE REASONS THEY REMAIN Respondents were also asked what they believed to be the main factors that this risk continues, with only uninformed tenants making the top three each year. Cheap products led the way in 2022 as the major reason these risks


remain present, followed by untrustworthy manufacturers, and uniformed tenants. Costs were first in 2023, followed by uninformed tenants and a lack of Government support. Tis year, malicious tenants were the most commonly cited reason the risks remain present, followed by landlord malpractice and costs.


RESPONSIBILITY Looking at who housing professionals believed to be the most responsible for reducing fire risk in housing, there were varying trends across the four years in some areas, but a small majority have consistently put the onus on landlords. Tis year, 56% said the main onus should be on landlords, leading the way


every year with a maximum of 6% difference across the four years (51%, 2021; 50%, 2022; 57%, 2023). 13% said the onus should be on building owners this year, falling year on year


from 40% in 2021 to 32% in 2022 and 27% in 2023. Tis year, 9% said tenants, rising from 2% in 2021 to 10% in 2022, back to 9% in 2023. Of the remaining share, 7% said local council (5%, 2021; 2% 2022; 3% 2023),


3% said builders, never rising higher over the four years (2%, 2021; 0%, 2022; 1%, 2023), and 12% chose ‘other’, including “the housing committee” and “everybody” (0%, 2021; 6%, 2022; 10%, 2023).


UNDERSTANDING While the majority of respondents consistently report they at least mainly understand fire regulations, each year over one in five – to almost a third (32%) this year – said they partially understood them or less. 18% said completely this year, followed by 24% in 2023, 16% in 2022 and 17% in 2021. 50% said mainly this year, 54% in 2023, 63% in 2022, and 54% in 2021. Tis leſt 20% that said partially (16%, 2023; 20%, 2022; 24%, 2021), 12% that


said slightly (5%, 2023; 0%, 2022; 5%, 2021), and nobody that said they did not understand the regulations at all (2%, 2023; 1%, 2022; 0%, 2021).


A clear and consistent regulatory framework, increased investment in housing safety, enhanced education and awareness, and effective collaboration among key stakeholders are essential to achieve meaningful progress.


REPORTING RISK While always a minority, an average of one in ten respondents over the four years report they have been put in a position where it would be uncomfortable to report fire safety issues or malpractice to a superior or relevant authority, or that their voices would not be heard in the matter. 7% said they had been put in such a position before in the last two years,


falling from 11% in 2022 and 16% in 2021. In the last two years, 7% were currently in that position, falling from 33% in 2022 and 25% in 2021. 4% this year said they had never been in such a position, but that they knew


someone who has, falling a little from a high of 11% in 2021 to 10% in 2022, and 5% in 2023.


CONCLUSION Fire safety remains a critical concern within the UK housing sector. Despite the numerous legislative changes in the last few years, while many


housing professionals are meeting the standards, a significant number continue to see failure. Our research over the last four years has revealed multiple reasons for


this, from a lack of understanding, to costs, poor products, and the culture of reporting risk. A clear and consistent regulatory framework, increased investment in


housing safety, enhanced education and awareness, and effective collaboration among key stakeholders are essential to achieve meaningful progress. Most fires are preventable, and the consequences of failure can be severe.


What do you think are the main reasons these risks remain present? g Major Reason g Minor Reason g Unsure/Don’t know


32 | HMMAugust/September 2024 | www.housingmmonline.co.uk


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