
Landlords Warned: Halloween Decorations Could Spark £18k Fire Nightmare
Pumpkin candles and party lights blamed for surge in October rental blazes
Forum Insurance are warning landlords to prepare for a rise in accidental fires this Halloween, as candles, decorative lights and overloaded plugs cause damage running into thousands of pounds.
According to the Home Office, more than 1,000 candle fires are reported each year, with October among the highest-risk months.
One Candle Could Cost Landlords £18,000
According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), the average home fire claim now costs around £18,000. And while most landlord insurance policies include fire cover, claims can be rejected if smoke alarms were not installed or maintained or if landlords failed to take "reasonable precautions".
Niraj Mamtora, Director at Forum Insurance, said:
"Halloween should be harmless fun, but we see time and again that candles, cheap lights and overloaded plugs can cause serious fires. A pumpkin candle left near curtains or paper decorations can set a room alight in seconds. Once flames take hold, the damage is catastrophic.
"However, it isn't just the property itself. A blaze can leave tenants homeless, cause injury, and trigger months of disruption. Landlords often underestimate how quickly a small incident can become a huge insurance claim, or worse, a rejected one.
"Landlords need to think beyond bricks and mortar. They have a legal duty to make sure every rental property has working smoke alarms, but they also have a moral duty to remind tenants how to stay safe."
Insurers Can Refuse Payouts Over Safety Failures
Forum Insurance warns that even with fire cover in place, landlords can face rejected claims if they fail to meet policy conditions or act on known risks.
Niraj explained:
"Insurance policies require landlords to take reasonable care of the property. If alarms haven't been maintained, faults ignored, or tenant warnings missed, insurers can legally decline to pay.
"Every policy has terms and exclusions around negligence and maintenance. If the investigation shows a preventable cause – like an unplugged alarm or overloaded socket – that could invalidate the claim entirely.
"We've seen landlords lose thousands simply because they couldn't prove alarms were tested or that tenants had been reminded about fire safety. Keeping written proof of checks and communications protects your property and your policy."
Five Safety Checks Every Landlord Should Make This Spooky Season
Forum Insurance is urging landlords to take action before Halloween by following five key safety steps that can prevent fires and protect their insurance coverage.
1. Test all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
"Start with the basics. Make sure every alarm in the property is working and properly maintained. It sounds obvious, but we see too many fires where alarms were missing or had no batteries. Insurers expect landlords to carry out these checks and keep a record of them."
2. Remind tenants about fire safety before Halloween
"A short message to tenants can make all the difference. Ask them not to leave candles burning, to unplug lights overnight and to keep hallways clear. Synthetic furnishings and plastic decorations can light in seconds, and once that happens, there's very little time to react, so it's important to remind them how a small mistake can make a big difference."
3. Inspect sockets, plugs and extension leads
"Halloween decorations, heaters and extra lighting can overload sockets without people realising. If you're visiting a property, take a quick look at plugs and leads. If anything looks damaged or worn, it needs to be replaced."
4. Review your landlord insurance policy wording
"Every policy has terms around fire, negligence and maintenance. Landlords should know exactly what those conditions are. If something isn't clear, speak to your broker or insurer before an issue arises, not afterwards."
5. Check declared values and cover limits
"Insurance only pays up to the amount you've declared. If rebuild costs have increased or the property has been improved, make sure your sums insured reflect that. Otherwise, you could find yourself underinsured after a fire."
Niraj added:
"This isn't a box-ticking exercise. Every landlord has a legal duty to provide safe accommodation, and that means checking alarms, warning tenants, and reviewing insurance cover. The cost of ignoring it can be life-changing."
Don't Let Your Insurance Go Up in Smoke
Landlords who fail to act risk far more than a repair bill. Fire damage can take months to fix, leaving properties uninhabitable and tenants displaced. With rental demand at record highs, the financial and reputational damage can be severe.
Niraj concluded:
"The message for landlords is simple: don't assume your tenants know what's safe, and don't assume your insurance will pay if something goes wrong. Prevention and preparation are part of your responsibility as a landlord.
"The fires we see in October are avoidable. Spend a few minutes now making sure your properties are safe, and you'll save yourself a lot of trouble later."
For expert advice on fire safety and comprehensive landlord insurance, visit Forum Insurance's landlord insurance page.