If you're worried your home isn't fire safe

Fire safety standards for all homes

All homes in Scotland must meet certain fire and smoke alarm standards. 

Your home must have all of the following:

• a carbon monoxide alarm if you have a flue or fuel burning appliance, for example a boiler or wood burner

• a heat alarm in every kitchen

• a smoke alarm in the room you use mostduring the day, like the living room or lounge

• a smoke alarm in every circulation space on each storey, such as hallways and landings.

Your smoke alarms can be mains-wired alarms or sealed battery alarms, which should be tamper-proof, long-life batteries.

All smoke and heat alarms must be:

• on the ceiling

• interlinked - the alarms are interlinked by radio frequency, not WiFi.

This means if one alarm detects smoke or fire, all of the alarms will sound.

If your home is open plan, you can use 1 alarm to cover the whole room as long as it’s no more than 7.5 metres from any part of the room. If this space includes a kitchen you should install a heat alarm rather than a smoke alarm. 

Installing fire and smoke alarms

Homeowners and landlords will have to pay any costs to meet the safety standards.

Speak to your local council if you’re worried about paying for improvements. Your local council can give you advice and check if you’re eligible for help to make sure your home meets the safety standards.

If you’re older or disabled, check if you can get help installing alarms from your local Care and Repair service.

You might be able to get help from the Scottish Fire and Rescue service if you meet certain criteria, for example if you're older and have mobility issues. Find information on free home fire and safety visits on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website.

Find out more about what alarms to install and the fire safety standards on mygov.scot.

If you don't have the right alarms 

For more information, including on home insurance and home reports, you can check the Scottish government guidance on changes to fire and smoke alarms standards.

Local councils have powers to enforce this standard so that your home meets the minimum safety standards.

It's best to fit the right alarms as soon as possible.

The Scottish government expects any action by the local council to be proportionate.

If you own your home and are worried about fire safety

If you rent your home and are worried about fire safety

Address fire safety inside the home

Disrepair can increase your chances of a fire, for example if wiring or appliances are faulty. Every landlord in Scotland must carry out an electrical safety inspection and provide their tenant(s) with a report. There is more information on electrical safety on the Shelter Scotland website. 

Your landlord's other responsibilities for making your home fire safe, and your options if they don't, depend on what type of tenancy you have. There is a useful tenancy checker on the Shelter Scotland website.

If you think your building is unsafe

Ask your landlord to organise a fire safety test if you’re worried about how safe the building itself is, for example the outer cladding. The presence of cladding doesn't necessarily mean your home is not safe to live in. If they’ve done a fire safety test recently, ask for a copy.

If you’re a council tenant, your landlord will be the local authority and you can check their website for information. Find your local council on mygov.scot.

It’s best to ask in writing and keep a copy. Send your landlord a letter or email and include:

• why you think your home is unsafe

• your name and address

• the date

• a deadline for them to reply

• any specific repairs that need doing - for example if a fire door doesn’t shut properly or appliances are broken or faulty.

Your local Citizens Advice Bureau can help you to write this letter. 

If you have to move out of your home because it isn't fire safe

If an inspection finds that your home is not safe for you to live in, you may have to move out permanently or until the home is made safe. You should get advice about your rights from a specialist housing adviser at your local Citizens Advice Bureau. 

You may be able to make a homelessness application to the local council, and the council may have a duty to provide you with temporary accommodation while they assess your application. Find out more about homelessness.

Staying safe in the event of a fire

You can find information on what to do in the event of a fire and what to do in an emergency on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website.

There's also information about fire safety in high-rise buildings on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website. It's important to know the fire plan for you building and the location of all fire exits.