Martyn’s Law: New Security Duties for Rental Living & BTR

Martyn’s Law (also known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill) will impose new legal requirements on venues, public spaces, and businesses to improve preparedness against terrorist threats. For the BTR (Build to Rent) and Rental Living sector in the UK, this means significant new responsibilities, particularly for developments with shared amenities and public-facing spaces.

Key Steps for BTR & Rental Living to Prepare for Martyn’s Law

1. Identify Whether Your Development is Affected

Martyn’s Law applies to premises with public access, categorized into:

• Standard Tier (100-799 capacity) – Basic security measures required
• Enhanced Tier (800+ capacity) – More rigorous security requirements

For BTR and Rental Living:

• Developments with publicly accessible amenities (lounges, co-working spaces, gyms, events) may be affected.
• If you host public events, the law will apply.
• Standard residential buildings without public access areas may not be affected.

👉 Action: Audit your spaces to determine if your development qualifies under Martyn’s Law.

2. Conduct a Risk Assessment & Security Plan

• Identify Vulnerabilities: Assess potential risks in public areas (lobbies, entranceways, communal spaces).
• Emergency Preparedness: Develop evacuation and lockdown procedures for different threat levels.
• Physical Security Upgrades: Consider access control, CCTV, and security barriers where needed.

👉 Action: Work with a security consultant to create a legally compliant risk assessment and action plan.

3. Staff Training & Incident Response Plans

• Train onsite staff (concierge, security, maintenance) to recognize suspicious behaviour.
• Develop clear protocols for reporting threats and managing evacuations.
• Run regular security drills with staff and tenants.

👉 Action: Schedule training sessions for all frontline staff and ensure emergency plans are well communicated.

4. Collaborate with Local Authorities & Emergency Services

• Establish direct contact with counter-terrorism officers for advice.
• Join local resilience forums for industry best practices.
• Ensure cooperation with police & emergency services in case of an incident.

👉 Action: Engage with local security networks to align your security strategy with best practices.

5. Communicate with Tenants & Residents

• Inform residents about new security policies and procedures.
• Encourage tenant participation in emergency drills where applicable.
• Provide clear guidance on reporting suspicious activity.

👉 Action: Create tenant-friendly security awareness materials and distribute them in digital & physical formats.

6. Review Insurance & Liability

• Ensure your insurance policies cover new security risks.
• Understand legal obligations and potential liabilities under Martyn’s Law.
• Work with legal advisors to update lease agreements if necessary.

👉 Action: Consult your insurance provider & legal team to minimize risks.

7. Plan for Compliance & Documentation

• Maintain detailed security records to prove compliance.
• Regularly update security plans based on evolving threats.
• Be prepared for inspections and enforcement under Martyn’s Law.

👉 Action: Appoint a compliance officer or security lead to oversee implementation.

Conclusion

Martyn’s Law will introduce new legal duties, and the BTR sector must proactively prepare by identifying risk areas, training staff, collaborating with authorities, and improving security measures. Developers and operators who take early action will be better positioned to ensure compliance and protect their residents.