Fire risk assessments for blocks of flats in Essex

What the Essex enforcement register shows for flats

Of the 88 entries listed for Essex on the NFCC Enforcement Register on 26 October 2026, 79 (about 90%) concern flats in purpose-built blocks with four or more floors. That describes notices on the register, not every block in Essex. If you manage a block, request a quote.

The register is a public record kept by the NFCC, where ECFRS publishes its statutory notices. The tables count entries only. They do not name blocks, people or addresses.

The register's labels are shown as published. An entry with a status of not complied is one the register records as not yet complied with; it does not tell you why.

Do flats need a fire risk assessment, and who is responsible?

Yes, for the shared parts. Since 16 May 2022 in England, a building with “two or more sets of domestic premises” must be assessed under the Fire Safety Order for its structure and external walls, common parts and the doors between flats and common parts. The responsible person is whoever controls those parts.

In practice that tends to be the freeholder, a managing agent they have appointed, or the residents' own management company (see paragraphs 28.3 and 28.4 of the Home Office guide Fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats). The test is control, not whether someone owns or rents a flat. A person living in a single flat is not the responsible person for the shared parts unless they control them.

The responsible person also has duties to residents (clear fire safety information, with their name and a UK address for notices) and to other responsible persons (sharing contact details and handing over fire safety information to a successor).

How often should a block's assessment be reviewed?

The law sets no fixed interval. A block's assessment has to be kept under review and revisited after any significant change, and each review recorded. Ask the assessor to put a recommended review date in the report, and tell them if the block changes between visits.

The record-keeping duty has applied to every assessment since 1 October 2023. If the responsible person changes, the Order also expects fire safety information to be handed on to the successor.

Types 1 to 4: the four kinds of assessment for blocks of flats

A Home Office guide describes four types of assessment for purpose-built blocks of flats. Types 1 and 2 cover the common parts only; Types 3 and 4 add a sample of the flats and go beyond the Order. Which type suits a block is a matter for the responsible person and their assessor.

The guide, Fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats, was produced in 2011 for the Local Government Group (known since October 2011 as the LGA) and is now published by the Home Office on GOV.UK. It says it should be viewed as no longer comprehensive and that a revised version is being worked on.

Type 1

Common parts only, without opening up the building. The baseline assessment needed to meet the Order.

Type 2

Common parts only, with some destructive inspection, usually with a contractor. Typically a one-off, prompted by a specific concern such as compartmentation or fire stopping.

Type 3

Covers the shared parts and a sample of individual flats, with no opening up of the structure. It goes beyond the scope of the Order, and is not possible for long-leasehold flats, where freeholders normally have no right of access.

Type 4

The scope of Type 3 plus destructive inspection on a sampling basis in the common parts and flats. The most thorough option, kept for limited cases, for example where a new owner takes on a block whose building works are unknown.

Fire doors in flats

Under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, responsible persons in buildings with “two or more sets of domestic premises” and shared escape routes must tell residents about fire doors. In buildings above 11 metres they must also check flat entrance doors yearly and communal fire doors every three months.

The regulations have applied in England since 23 January 2023. For any building of this kind, the responsible person must tell residents that fire doors should be kept shut, that self-closers must not be tampered with and that faults must be reported. That message must be repeated at least every 12 months and given to new residents.

Above 11 metres the responsible person must “use best endeavours” to check flat entrance fire doors “at least every 12 months”, and must check fire doors in communal areas “at least every 3 months”, including that self-closing devices work (regulation 10 of the 2022 Regulations). For the flat entrance door checks only (regulation 10(4) and (5)), a record must be kept of the steps taken, including any attempts to gain access that were refused.

Choosing an assessor for a block

The advice on competence is the same for a block as for any other premises: you should choose someone with the training, experience and knowledge to assess your type of building. Agree the scope, including which Type of assessment you are asking for, in writing before work starts.

Our hub page sets out the checks suggested in the sector guide on how to choose a competent assessor. Landlords who let flats to several households should also read the duties that fall on landlords of HMOs, and published prices for assessments give context when comparing quotes.

Frequently asked questions

These answers cover the questions managing agents, freeholders and residents' companies ask most often about fire safety in blocks of flats. They are general guidance, not legal advice, so take advice on your own block if the position is unclear.