A Fire Safety Logbook to help landlords maintain high standards of fire safety in their properties has been published by The National Landlords Association (NLA).

The online tool, which is available free to NLA members, allows residential landlords to keep a record of their fire safety precautions in one document, making it easier to ensure that all necessary safety measures are being implemented.

It includes a template for a fire safety risk assessment, which landlords are able to carry out on their own properties. In addition, landlords can keep a record of mandatory safety checks, fire equipment defects and instances where the fire alarm has been activated.

The logbook is intended to be used in conjunction with the LACORS Housing Fire Safety guide, which was produced in consultation with the NLA, and needs to be regularly updated.

David Salusbury, Chairman, NLA, commenting on the launch of the Fire Safety Logbook, said: “Fire safety in the private-rented sector is clearly an issue of vital importance and one that all landlords must take seriously.

“Keeping a record of all the fire safety precautions taken in a rental property will offer reassurance to tenants that their landlord strives to keep their property as safe as possible.

“Landlords face a complex maze of fire safety laws, with different legislation relevant to specific property types. It is important that landlords are aware of which is relevant to their properties and ensure they are adhering to the rules.”

For more information about the Fire Safety Logbook, go to www.landlords.org.uk

* Following the cancellation of its last Landlord forum in North Yorkshire due to bad weather last year, Craven District Council has rescheduled a new meeting for 24 February 2009.

The Forum will start at 6pm and will be held in the Council Chamber at the Granville Street Offices in Skipton.

The proposed agenda will be:

• Presentation by Paul Cartwright of AICO Alarms;
• Empty Homes Grant update;
• Houses in Multiple Occupation Amnesty;
• Landlords and the Economic Climate;
• Landlord Accreditation Scheme;
• Audit Commission Housing Inspection - Landlord Focus Group.

The meeting will be chaired by a member of the National Landlords Association and attendees include local residential landlords, letting agents and members of the Strategic Housing team.

For further information on the forum contact 01756 706293.