What you can do as tenants
Tenant responsibilities
Residents play an important role in keeping buildings safe. The Building Safety Act sets out clear responsibilities for tenants and leaseholders living in high‑rise buildings.
Residents must:
- keep communal areas clear and free from items that could block escape routes or catch fire
- not tamper with fire doors, smoke or heat detectors, alarms or safety signage
- allow access for mandatory safety checks such as fire door inspections and gas safety checks
- follow all safety instructions and the building’s evacuation procedure
- report safety concerns promptly, such as burning smells, loose wiring, fire doors not closing or cracks in walls
Reporting a building safety concern
You should report anything that could cause a fire, increase fire spread, affect the structure of the building or present any other safety risk.
Examples include:
- burning smells
- loose or exposed wiring
- fire doors not closing properly
- cracks affecting walls, ceilings or the structure
- improper storage of waste in shared areas
You can report concerns through our usual repairs service or by emailing the Building Safety Team at firesafety@rotherham.gov.uk.
