Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Oral Answer of 26 June 2017, Official Report, column 361, when he last met representatives of estate management companies to discuss fire safety and thier obligations to tenants in managed apartment blocks.

My officials meet regularly with key representatives from local authorities, housing associations as well as other arms length organisations (such as tenant management organisations) with responsibilities for carrying housing management functions as part of the Department’s routine work. Building owners, landlords both in the private and social rented sectors, freeholders and/or managing agents are responsible for ensuring the safety of residents. This is covered by the Housing Act 2004 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.