Responsibility for fire alarm system

[Guest Caroline]

I have recently moved into a self contained ground floor flat in a Victorian house converted into flats in the 70s. Flats 2 and 3 have their own passageway and front door with communal area behind. I cannot access this area as I am disabled but also because there is nothing of mine there. There are three flat owners who share the freehold and leasehold. The top two flats are rented out. Flat 2 may be an hMO put in place before I arrived contravening the lease and which was hidden from me before I bought my flat. The council are saying we are all responsible to put in a joined alarm system . Is this my responsibility or that of the landlords?

 

[Tom Sutton]

You need to find out which legislation is being enforced, is it The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 or the The Housing Act 2004 and why. I would contact a solicitor specialising in fire safety, but depending on the terms of your lease you could be required to contribute to the cost of such work.