Fire safety measures
Paying for fire safety measures
The cost of fire safety measures in your building will usually be charged to leaseholders through your service charge, if the terms of your lease allow this.
Your landlord should consult you through the Section 20 consultation process if the work will cost any leaseholder more than £250.
If you’re concerned about the cost of replacing or upgrading fire safety measures in your building, or if you’re unsure whether the work is necessary, you could ask to see the fire risk assessment that has triggered the service charge.
The fire risk assessment should have an action plan that explains what needs to be done and when it should be finished.
It’s possible to challenge your service charge if you think the cost is not reasonable, the work is not necessary, or the landlord did not consult correctly.
Find out more
Paying for historic fire safety defects
The Building Safety Act 2022 provides legal protections that stop or limit the amount some leaseholders pay for remediating (putting right) historic fire-related safety defects, such as unsafe cladding.
Interim Measures Alarm Fund
If your building currently relies on a waking watch, it might be eligible for government funding to install a fire alarm system, through the Interim Measures Alarm Fund.
Find out about the Interim Measures Alarm Fund (IMAF) on GOV.UK
- Last updated:
- 2 April 2026
- Next review:
- 2 April 2028