Faking Fire Safety: Clarion Scandal Raises Questions About Housing Accountability

A shocking Sky News investigation has revealed a senior manager at Clarion, the UK’s largest housing association, instructing staff on how to fake a fire safety notice—a practice that could put tenants’ lives at risk.

“Don’t tell anyone” – A Breach of Trust

In a leaked recording from 2022, the Clarion manager can be heard telling an employee to put up a fake fire safety poster, take a photo, and claim the work had been completed. The poster was supposed to inform residents with disabilities or vulnerabilities to contact Clarion so that emergency evacuation plans could be prepared.

The recording was reported internally in 2023, but Clarion did not launch a full investigation until a year later, only dismissing the manager in 2025—almost two years after concerns were first raised.

Post-Grenfell Failures Continue

Since the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017, where 72 people lost their lives, social landlords have been under a legal and moral duty to prioritise fire safety.Regulations now require housing providers to maintain “person-centred fire risk assessments” and ensure the fire brigade can easily access this information during emergencies.

However,Chartered Surveyor Arnold Tarling warned that cutting corners on fire safety remains “industry-wide,” citing cost-cutting and complacency. He added that falsified documentation could go undetected without rigorous enforcement.

Residents Still at Risk

Grenfell survivor Edward Daffarn described ongoing fire safety complacency as “a widespread problem,” saying he once believed the tragedy would bring meaningful change. Yet, eight years on, new housing standards are still years away from full implementation.

Campaigner Kwajo Tweneboa, a Clarion tenant, said it was “an absolute disgrace” that these issues persist despite years of promises and scrutiny.

Legal and Moral Accountability

TheMinistry of Housing has since condemned the incident, stating that those breaching fire safety laws face criminal prosecution. But this latest case exposes a worrying delay in internal accountability within housing associations.

For residents affected by unsafe housing or potential breaches of fire safety obligations, it’s vital to seek legal advice. Landlords have a clear duty to maintain safe homes—and when that duty is breached, tenants may be entitled to compensation or formal redress.

At SBW Law, we help tenants hold landlords accountable for housing disrepair and safety negligence. No tenant should ever feel unsafe in their own home. If your landlord has failed to address fire safety concerns or repair issues, contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

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