The legal fallout from the Grenfell Tower tragedy continues to reshape building safety across the UK. Discover what the ongoing lawsuits, criminal investigation and building safety reforms mean for landlords, builders, architects, building control professionals and tenants.

The Grenfell Tower fire on 14 June 2017 claimed 72 lives and exposed serious failures in building safety, construction practices and regulation. Almost a decade later, its consequences continue to affect the property and construction industries.

Civil claims over fire safety defects, the ongoing criminal investigation and reforms introduced through the Building Safety Act 2022 have placed renewed emphasis on accountability and the importance of protecting residents.

For landlords and property managers, the message is clear: fire safety is an ongoing responsibility, not simply a certificate or report to file away.

At Bath & West Fire & Safety, we believe understanding these changes is essential to protecting people, property and professional reputations.

1. Grenfell’s legal legacy: Who is responsible?

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s final report, published in September 2024, identified serious failings across multiple organisations involved in the building’s design, construction, refurbishment and regulation.

The consequences extend beyond Grenfell itself. Other residential buildings have been found to have fire safety defects, prompting disputes over who should pay for investigations and remediation.

These cases can involve developers, contractors, architects, manufacturers, building owners and other professionals.

In September 2026, the Metropolitan Police announced that it had submitted its investigation files to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for charging decisions. The files relate to 20 companies and organisations and 54 individuals. Potential offences include corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter and health and safety offences.

An investigation is not a conviction. The CPS must assess the evidence before deciding whether charges should be brought.

Nevertheless, these developments demonstrate the seriousness with which building safety decisions are being examined. Records of specifications, inspections, professional advice and decisions may become important evidence when responsibility for a defect is disputed.

Source: Metropolitan Police — Grenfell investigation files submitted to the CPS.

2. The Building Safety Act 2022: What has changed?

The Building Safety Act 2022 introduced significant changes to building safety regulation and established mechanisms to address certain historical building defects.

These include:

• Remediation orders, which can require relevant landlords to remedy specified building safety defects.
• Remediation contribution orders, which can require certain parties to contribute towards remediation costs where the statutory conditions are met.
• Extended limitation periods for certain claims relating to historical building defects.

These provisions can have substantial financial implications for developers, landlords and other organisations involved in constructing or managing buildings.

However, liability is not automatic. The relevant legal requirements, building circumstances and evidence must be considered in each case.

For property owners and construction professionals, the practical lesson is to understand their responsibilities, retain reliable documentation and address known safety concerns promptly.

3. What does Grenfell mean for landlords and property managers?

Landlords and managing agents play a vital role in keeping properties safe. Although they may not have designed or constructed a building, they can have important legal responsibilities for its ongoing fire safety.

Key priorities include:

Fire risk assessments: Ensure a suitable and sufficient assessment is in place where required, and review it when significant changes or new risks arise.

Fire doors and compartmentation: Arrange appropriate inspections and repairs to damaged doors, defective seals and gaps in fire-resisting construction.

Alarms and emergency lighting: Ensure systems are suitable for the premises and maintained and tested in accordance with applicable requirements.

External walls and structural concerns: Seek specialist investigation where necessary. A routine fire risk assessment is not a substitute for a detailed façade or structural assessment.

Resident communication: Provide appropriate fire safety information and take reports of defects seriously.

Identifying a problem is only the first step. Landlords must also ensure that relevant actions are prioritised, completed and documented.

4. Builders and contractors: The importance of workmanship

The Grenfell Inquiry highlighted the importance of construction products, installation practices and decisions made during refurbishment.

Builders and contractors should ensure that materials are appropriate for their intended use, work follows the relevant specifications and any changes are properly assessed and recorded.

Particular attention should be paid to fire stopping, compartmentation, the installation of fire doors and the accurate recording of products and systems used.

Contractors should also raise concerns when materials or proposed changes may compromise safety. Cost pressures and project deadlines must not replace proper technical assessment.

Reliable records of what was specified, installed, inspected and changed can be invaluable when defects emerge years later.

5. Architects and building control: Accountability through design and inspection

Architects and fire engineers influence building safety through decisions about escape routes, external walls, compartmentation, smoke control and fire protection systems.

Grenfell reinforces the need to consider how the building performs as a whole rather than assessing individual components in isolation.

Design professionals should document their decisions, coordinate with other disciplines and reassess the implications of changes during construction.

Building control professionals also have an important role in checking compliance with applicable building regulations. Competence, impartial judgement, appropriate scrutiny and clear records are essential.

The wider regulatory system continues to evolve, with reforms aimed at improving construction product oversight, professional competence and regulatory accountability. Professionals should follow current official guidance and distinguish proposed reforms from requirements already in force.

6. What about tenants and residents?

For tenants, fire safety is ultimately about having a home where risks are identified and addressed.

Residents may be the first to notice a defective fire door, a faulty alarm, an obstructed escape route or smoke entering an unexpected area of a building.

They should report concerns promptly to their landlord or managing agent and ask how identified defects are being addressed. They should also familiarise themselves with the building’s emergency arrangements and avoid obstructing escape routes or wedging open fire doors.

Residents in relevant buildings may have specific rights to building safety information, while qualifying leaseholders can benefit from statutory protections against certain historical remediation costs.

The precise rights and protections depend on the circumstances.

Residents should not be expected to diagnose complex building defects themselves. Their concerns should be taken seriously and investigated by appropriately competent professionals.

7. What does this mean for Bath & West Fire & Safety?

For Bath & West Fire & Safety, the lessons from Grenfell reinforce the importance of practical, competent fire safety support for landlords, property managers and businesses.

Fire risk assessments, fire alarm systems, emergency lighting and fire extinguishers all contribute to managing fire risks when properly selected, maintained and used as part of an appropriate safety strategy.

However, no single inspection or service can guarantee that every aspect of a building is safe. Complex concerns involving external walls, structural integrity or specialist fire engineering may require additional expertise.

Our focus is on helping clients understand the fire risks relevant to their premises, identify improvements and maintain appropriate fire safety arrangements.

Whether you manage rental properties, operate commercial premises or are responsible for maintaining a building, reviewing your fire safety arrangements is a sensible step towards protecting occupants and reducing avoidable risks.

8. A practical fire safety checklist

If you own or manage a property, ask yourself:

• Is the fire risk assessment current and appropriate for the premises?
• Have outstanding recommendations been addressed?
• Are fire doors, escape routes and compartmentation being maintained?
• Are alarms and emergency lighting appropriately tested and maintained?
• Are inspection reports, maintenance records and remedial works documented?
• Are residents given suitable fire safety information?
• Are known defects being investigated by competent professionals?

The precise requirements depend on the building and its use. Where an immediate danger is suspected, urgent action may be necessary rather than waiting for a routine inspection.

Conclusion: Turning lessons into lasting change

The Grenfell Tower tragedy was a human catastrophe. Its legal aftermath is a reminder that decisions made during design, construction and property management can have serious consequences for years to come.

Landlords must manage fire risks responsibly. Builders must maintain appropriate standards of workmanship. Architects must consider the safety of the whole building. Building control professionals must apply appropriate scrutiny, and residents must be heard when they raise concerns.

For everyone involved, the priority should be clear: identify risks, seek competent advice, keep reliable records and act promptly when problems are found.

At Bath & West Fire & Safety, we encourage landlords, property managers and business owners to review their fire safety arrangements and address outstanding concerns before they become more serious.

Need help reviewing your fire safety arrangements?

Visit bathwestfire.co.uk to find out more about our fire risk assessments and fire safety services across Bath, Wiltshire and Somerset.

This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Responsibilities and requirements depend on the building, the parties involved and the applicable legislation.