A nuclear power station needs only one fire safety regulator ... but a humble bed sit requires two - a fact that illustrates how new legislation has turned fire safety into one of the most important issues in rented housing.

The Residential Landlords' Association ( www.rla.org.uk ) has highlighted the problems that are due to the fact that two different enforcement authorities are involved - each working with two pieces of legislation, each with different rules.

The latest Housing Act gave local authorities the responsibility to enforce fire safety under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System. And also for the licensing of 'houses in multiple occupation' - typically student shared houses - but only for fire safety in individual rooms, not for common areas such as corridors, halls, stairs, landings and shared kitchens or bathrooms.

Meanwhile, the Fire and Rescue Authorities have responsibility under the Fire Safety Order. But they only apply for the common areas of flats and HMOs - not for the private rooms.

So, here is a quick guide to untangling all the regulations relating to fire safety and trying to make some sense of what each covers.