Landlords across the UK are being urged to take immediate action after a sharp rise in fires linked to e-bikes and e-scooters raised fresh concerns about safety in residential buildings.
New data highlighted by health and safety training provider Astutis shows that lithium-ion battery fires are escalating rapidly, with 171 incidents recorded in 2025, rising to 206 when e-scooters are included. This marks a significant increase from 142 fires in 2024, representing a year-on-year rise of around 20 per cent.
The surge is placing mounting pressure on landlords, property managers and housing providers, particularly those responsible for buildings with shared or communal spaces where charging practices can present heightened risks.
Brenig Moore, Technical Director at Astutis, warned that the growing popularity of micromobility devices is outpacing safety awareness and regulation, leaving many properties exposed to avoidable hazards.
“E-bikes and e-scooters powered by lithium-ion batteries present a serious risk for properties with communal areas and large numbers of tenants if they are not managed proactively,” he said. “It is imperative that landlords assess how these devices are used, stored and charged to ensure no undue risk is present.”
The warning reflects a broader concern among safety experts that lithium-ion battery failures, often triggered during charging, can lead to fast-spreading, high-intensity fires that are difficult to extinguish and can quickly block escape routes in residential buildings.
Communal hallways, stairwells, bike storage rooms and sheds have been identified as particular flashpoints, especially where tenants charge devices overnight or leave equipment unattended.
Moore stressed that landlords must now treat e-bike and e-scooter risks as a core part of their fire safety responsibilities, rather than a peripheral issue.
“Landlords should limit or eliminate the charging of unapproved devices within buildings and make it clear through signage and guidance that communal areas must not be used for charging,” he said. “Regular inspection and testing of electrical equipment is also critical to ensure safe usage.”
The advice includes ensuring that any chargers used within flats or houses undergo Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), as well as identifying high-risk storage areas and incorporating them into up-to-date fire risk assessments.
The issue is particularly acute in urban areas, where e-bikes and e-scooters have become a key mode of transport for commuters, delivery workers and tenants without access to traditional vehicle storage.
For landlords, the challenge is compounded by a lack of consistent regulation around battery quality and aftermarket modifications, which can significantly increase fire risk.
The UK’s Office for Product Safety and Standards has issued guidance for users, advising consumers to purchase devices and batteries only from reputable sellers, follow manufacturer instructions carefully and avoid using incompatible chargers.
Users are also warned to charge devices in safe, well-ventilated areas that do not obstruct exits, and to unplug chargers once charging is complete. Tampering with batteries or attempting unauthorised modifications is strongly discouraged.
For the property sector, however, responsibility does not stop at guidance. The rising number of incidents is likely to increase scrutiny from insurers, regulators and local authorities, particularly in multi-occupancy buildings.
Failure to adequately manage these risks could expose landlords to liability, higher insurance premiums and potential enforcement action if safety standards are not met.
The warning comes amid a wider shift in how emerging technologies are reshaping risk profiles within the built environment. As adoption of electric transport accelerates, experts say property owners must adapt quickly to ensure safety frameworks keep pace.
Moore added: “Landlords want their tenants to travel safely and sustainably, but that cannot come at the expense of fire safety. Protecting both people and property must remain the priority.”
With incidents continuing to rise, the message from safety professionals is clear: the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries are no longer theoretical, and landlords who fail to act may find themselves dangerously exposed.
