The Occupier’s Statement Is More Than a Form

The occupier’s statement is one of the most misunderstood fire safety documents. Often treated as an administrative requirement, it is in fact a legal declaration that confirms a building’s fire safety obligations have been met.

Regulators and insurers rely heavily on this document because it connects physical maintenance to legal responsibility. When an occupier’s statement is submitted, it is not simply confirming that work was done. It is confirming that work was completed correctly, by licensed professionals, and in accordance with required standards.

This distinction is why errors in occupier’s statements carry serious consequences.

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What an Occupier’s Statement Actually Confirms

An occupier’s statement verifies that all prescribed fire safety installations in a building have been properly inspected, tested, and maintained within required timeframes.

Specifically, it confirms that:

• Fire safety systems were serviced as required
  
  
• Maintenance was performed by appropriately licensed contractors
  
  
• Fire safety registers reflect completed work accurately
  
  
• Documentation supporting maintenance exists and is verifiable
  
  

Once signed, the occupier takes responsibility for the accuracy of these declarations. If any part of the statement cannot be supported, the building’s compliance position weakens immediately.

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Where Occupier’s Statements Commonly Go Wrong

Most errors in occupier’s statements are not intentional. They occur because the statement relies on information gathered from multiple sources, often without full verification.

Common issues identified during audits include:

• Statements signed based on unverified contractor reports
  
  
• Licensing details not checked at the time of submission
  
  
• Registers not aligned with declared maintenance
  
  
• Missing or outdated supporting documentation
  
  
• Errors carried forward from previous years
  
  

These issues often remain unnoticed until the statement is reviewed during an audit, insurance renewal, or claim assessment.

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Why Insurers Scrutinise Occupier’s Statements Closely

From an insurance perspective, the occupier’s statement represents accountability. It shows whether the building owner or manager actively verified compliance or relied on assumptions.

When claims are assessed, insurers often review:

• Whether the occupier’s statement was accurate at the time of submission
  
  
• Whether supporting documentation exists and aligns
  
  
• Whether maintenance providers were properly licensed
  
  
• Whether any inconsistencies indicate broader compliance issues
  
  

If discrepancies are found, insurance confidence is reduced. In serious cases, coverage may be delayed, limited, or denied.

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The Risk of Treating the Statement as a Yearly Task

One of the most common compliance mistakes is treating the occupier’s statement as a once-a-year obligation rather than the final output of an ongoing compliance process.

When the statement is prepared without continuous verification throughout the year:

• Errors are harder to identify
  
  
• Documentation gaps are more likely
  
  
• Responsibility becomes reactive rather than controlled
  
  

This is why occupier’s statements frequently become a focal point during audits. They expose whether compliance was actively managed or reconstructed at the end.

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How Fire Auditors Ensures Occupier’s Statements Are Defensible

Fire Auditors approaches the occupier’s statement as a verification exercise, not a paperwork task. Our role is to ensure the statement reflects reality and can be supported without hesitation.

Our process includes:

• Reviewing maintenance records and service schedules
  
  
• Verifying contractor licensing and certifications
  
  
• Aligning fire safety registers with completed work
  
  
• Identifying inconsistencies before submission
  
  
• Preparing occupier’s statements that withstand scrutiny
  
  

By verifying compliance continuously, the occupier’s statement becomes a confirmation, not a risk.

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Accuracy Protects More Than Compliance

An accurate occupier’s statement protects more than regulatory compliance. It protects insurance coverage, limits liability, and demonstrates due diligence.

Buildings with defensible occupier’s statements benefit from:

• Stronger insurance confidence
  
  
• Reduced audit risk
  
  
• Clear accountability
  
  
• Fewer surprises during reviews
  
  

Accuracy is not a detail. It is the foundation of trust.

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Is Your Occupier’s Statement Fully Supported?

If your occupier’s statement relies on assumptions, unverified reports, or fragmented documentation, it may not hold up when tested.

Fire Auditors helps buildings prepare accurate, supported occupier’s statements that protect compliance and insurance outcomes.

Book a consultation today to review your occupier’s statement and ensure it reflects verified compliance, not assumptions.