Emergency preparation for flats, renters and limited storage

Ask for the building's actual emergency arrangements

Ask your landlord, housing provider or managing agent for the current fire instructions, emergency contact number and process for reporting faults. Find out what happens to lifts, entry systems, communal lighting and any shared water pumps when power fails. Do not assume every building has the same backup arrangements or evacuation strategy.

• Save a contact for urgent building problems and an alternative outside office hours.
• Ask how residents receive updates if entry systems or communications fail.
• Locate the fire instructions and know the routes they describe.
• Report an obstructed exit, damaged fire door or other safety concern through the building's process.

Residents' guide to fire safety in blocks of flats (opens in a new tab)

Understand stay-put and evacuation instructions

Some buildings use a stay-put strategy for a fire elsewhere in the block; others require simultaneous evacuation. The correct response depends on the building and incident. Ask for the instructions in a form you understand and discuss them with everyone in your home. Follow any changed instructions issued by the fire service. A general internet article cannot determine the safe strategy for your block.

Do not enter a smoke-filled escape route or use an ordinary lift during a fire. If you cannot leave safely, call 999, give your address and flat location, and follow the call handler's advice. Never delay a safe escape to collect a kit.

Fire brigade guide to different evacuation plans (opens in a new tab)

Plan assistance before a lift or service fails

If stairs, doors, alarms or communication could make evacuation difficult, tell the landlord or responsible person and ask about an individual arrangement. Explain practical needs, such as assistance to leave, an accessible warning or a device dependent on power. Agree who is responsible and record the outcome; a neighbour's goodwill alone is not a complete plan.

Formal requirements vary by nation and building. The England-specific residential evacuation guidance below should not be treated as UK-wide law. Ask the relevant housing provider or fire service which arrangements apply where you live.

England: residential personal emergency evacuation planning (opens in a new tab)Accessible household planning

Use compact, manageable storage

Store suitable supplies within your home in a place that stays accessible and does not block a door, corridor or fire escape. Use containers you can safely lift and avoid unstable stacks. A compact kit can be split between known locations rather than kept in one heavy box. Label the locations on your plan and check that everyone who needs an item can reach it.

• Build food and water gradually around available safe space.
• Keep torches accessible rather than at the back of a cupboard.
• Do not store supplies in communal escape routes.
• Ask about permissions before altering building services or installing equipment.

Water quantities and storagePrepare with a limited budget

Clarify utility and maintenance contacts

Identify who supplies your electricity, water and any communal heating, and who manages internal building faults. A payment to a landlord does not automatically tell you which organisation can fix an outage. Ask for written contact details and any relevant priority-support route. Report a service interruption to the appropriate provider and explain access needs rather than assuming building management already knows.

Priority services and registration routesPower-cut planning

Agree a household meeting and communication plan

Choose an accessible meeting place outside the building and an alternative if the area is closed. Give a trusted contact enough information to help if you are separated. Ask how building notices will reach you if you cannot use the usual app or noticeboard. Review the plan when you move, when management changes or when new instructions are issued.

Write your household plan