If you live in a council property, check our landlord responsibilities.
We have some fire safety responsibilities for mid-rise buildings that we do not own or manage. These are buildings in the borough that are 11 to 18 metres tall, or 5 to 7 floors high.
Our responsibilities are to:
- identify and check possible fire safety risks
- work with partners like the London Fire Brigade to make sure buildings are safe
- use legal powers to make sure building owners make buildings safe
- listen to your concerns and give advice
- step in if the Accountable Person fails in their duties – this is who’s legally responsible to repair any common parts of a building
Read more about accountable persons and their roles on GOV.UK
High-rise buildings are 18 metres or taller or 7 floors or more. The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) regulates these. Read about the BSR on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website
Find information about a high-rise residential building (GOV.UK)
How to check if your building is well managed and safe
The building should have:
- wayfinding signage visible in low light and smoke conditions
- information on display about fire procedures and how to report defects
- a valid Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) covering structure, external walls, and escape routes
- a secure building information box with plans for the fire brigade
The Accountable Person or their contractor must:
- do regular maintenance and safety checks
- inspect communal fire doors every 3 months
- inspect flat doors every year
- provide clear communication and engagement to residents about safety works
- fix unsafe cladding, balconies and insulation, using interim safety measures if needed
Read how accountable persons can manage safety risks in high-rise residential buildings (GOV.UK)
What you can do to keep your building safe
You can:
- ask for the fire safety documents, like the FRA, inspection records, or remedial plans
- report fire safety risks, like, broken fire doors, alarms, signage, or blocked escape routes
- ask for timelines and updates of safety works and disruption management
- escalate a problem to London Fire Brigade, the Building Safety Regulator or us
Read more about what you can do to keep your building safe on GOV.UK
Read about fire safety for people with sight, hearing or mobility issues on GOV.UK
Leaseholders and remediation costs
If you’re a qualifying leaseholder, you may be protected from many remediation costs.
Contact us for help or advice
If you have concerns about the safety of your high-rise building, you can contact us by:
- phone: 0208 921 8157
- email: private-housing-regulation@royalgreenwich.gov.uk
- email: High-Rise.FireSafety@royalgreenwich.gov.uk
If you’re a council tenant or leaseholder, email: fire-safety@royalgreenwich.gov.uk
Grants for removing unsafe cladding
If you’re responsible for the external repair of a building, you can apply for a grant to remove unsafe cladding.
Visit the GOV.UK Building Remediation Hub to apply
Building safety changes since Grenfell
The government’s Building Safety Programme and stronger laws aim to protect residents.
Read about the Building Safety Programme on GOV.UK
Fire England gives an overview of the changes, laws and tools on their website.