The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government published statutory guidance, Residential PEEPs: Guidance for Responsible Persons, on 2 December 20251. It supports the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025, which were laid on 4 July 2025, came into force on 6 April 2026, and apply in England only1.
The Regulations apply to buildings containing two or more sets of domestic premises that are either at least 18 metres above ground level or have at least seven storeys, or are more than 11 metres in height above ground level with simultaneous evacuation strategies in place1. A "relevant resident" is someone for whom the flat is their only or principal residence and whose ability to evacuate the building without assistance in a fire is compromised by a cognitive or physical impairment or condition1. From 6 April 2026 the Responsible Person, typically the building owner or manager, must use reasonable endeavours to identify their relevant residents1.
"The RP must offer a person-centred fire risk assessment to each relevant resident they identify and, where the resident requests one, ensure the person-centred fire risk assessment is undertaken"
Participation is voluntary: the decision whether to take part lies with the resident, who cannot be compelled, and the decision whether to agree an emergency evacuation statement also lies with the resident1. There is no explicit requirement for a resident to share medical records or specific information, and no requirement that a specialist carries out the person-centred fire risk assessment1. The assessment must consider the resident's risks in light of their impairment or condition and their ability to evacuate without assistance1. The Responsible Person must implement reasonable and proportionate measures, except where costs would fall to the resident and the resident declines to pay, in which case the resident may decline the measures or equipment1. For costs to be shared, the measure must also benefit the majority of residents living in the building at the time, and Residential PEEPs does not override existing leaseholder rights1. Some measures may be eligible for the means-tested disabled facilities grant if they meet the conditions1.
The emergency evacuation statement must be in writing, with no prescribed format, and the resident must be given a copy1. It must be reviewed no later than 12 months after it is first recorded, or where no statement is agreed, after the person-centred fire risk assessment is carried out, and before the end of every 12 month period thereafter, and also where there is reason to believe it or the assessment needs amending, for example after major changes to the building1. Information held for the Fire and Rescue Authority covers the flat number, floor number, basic information on the degree of assistance the resident may need, and whether an emergency evacuation statement exists; sharing requires the resident's explicit informed consent, which they can withdraw1. Where a secure information box is not installed and the Fire and Rescue Authority requires hard copy access, the Responsible Person must install and maintain one1.
Why it matters for households
The duties cover disabled and vulnerable residents in qualifying blocks in England from 6 April 2026, and the guidance sets out how building owners and managers are expected to identify them, offer an assessment and record an evacuation statement. Residents cannot be compelled to take part, and sharing information with the Fire and Rescue Authority requires their explicit consent1. Fire and Rescue Authorities can enforce compliance by Responsible Persons, and residents in buildings of 18 metres or more can raise building safety concerns with the building's Accountable Person and, if unresolved, with the Building Safety Regulator under the Resident's Voice complaints procedure1. The factsheet states that there is no expectation that a local Fire and Rescue Authority arbitrate in any disagreement between the Responsible Person and a resident1. Households in flats can read the site's guidance on personal evacuation plans for disabled residents in flats and the extra help hub.
What happens next
The Regulations came into force on 6 April 2026, and the factsheet was updated on that date1. The factsheet says the government will look to include further examples from Responsible Persons in its RP Toolkit as new practices are developed and embedded locally1.
Personal Evacuation Plans
