Fire safety responsibility moves to Housing Ministry

Why this matters for property agents

The shift means that MHCLG, which already oversees building regulations and housing policy, will  also be responsible for fire safety guidance and regulations. This integration is expected to improve clarity and accountability in fire risk management, particularly for residential buildings.

Prime Minister Kier Starmer, MP, has committed to responding to the Phase 2 report in full by March 2025. New legislation will likely be needed to implement all the recommendations, and the UK Government intends to put proposals to parliament as soon as possible.

Estate and letting agents must stay informed about evolving fire safety requirements, as they must advise clients—whether landlords, tenants, or property buyers—on their obligations. The change could also influence how future fire risk assessments and remediation works are conducted , especially in multi-occupied buildings.

Key changes the sector should expect

An initial priority for MCLHG will be to review current building safety guidance, including the interpretation and enforcement of fire safety laws. In particular, the Grenfell Inquiry called for urgent changes to the statutory guidance in Approved Document B, stating that it did not provide the information needed to design buildings that are safe in a fire.

The meaning of a higher-risk building for the Building Safety Act could also be reconsidered, after criticism from the Inquiry that the current definition - a building that is at least 18 metres in height (or has at least seven storeys) and contains at least two residential units – is arbitrary and unsatisfactory.

Agents should also be alert to potential chnages to property licensing and enforcement as fire safety aligns more closely with housing policy.

Progress on cladding and remediation 

According to official figures published in July 2024, only around 30% of identified buildings have completed remediation, and as many as 7,000 are  unidentified.

In December 2024, Building Safety Minister, Alex Norris, MP, announced the Remediation Acceleration Plan, a scheme setting a 2030 deadline for the completion of work on all buildings in England with unsafe cladding.

Responsible building owners who fail to complete works or have a date for completion by the end of 2029 will face severe penalties, with local authorities, fire and rescue authorities, and the Building Regulator promised additional funding and enhanced powers to crack down on those who avoid their obligations.

Supporting members

Agents should stay proactive by reviewing their existing fire safety processes and ensuring they provide accurate advice to clients.

Propertymark has guidance and resources to help agents navigate the building safety legislation including fact sheets, training and CPD opportunities, and policy updates to keep members informed on government decisions impacting the sector.