‘No fire license for rented shops without building approval’
The Kuwait Fire Force has issued a clear warning to tenants and investors, stressing that no fire license will be granted to any rented commercial outlet unless the original building is duly licensed, in a move aimed at tightening safety compliance and protecting lives and property.
The Director of Public Relations at the Kuwait Fire Force, Brigadier General Mohammed Al-Gharib, has urged tenants and investors to verify that property owners hold a valid fire safety license before signing any rental agreement, warning that failure to do so will obstruct the issuance of the tenant’s own fire license.
Brigadier General Al-Gharib confirmed that the Prevention Sector will not issue a fire license for any rented shop unless the building itself is officially licensed by the KFF, reports Al-Rai daily.
He stressed that this requirement is non-negotiable and forms the legal foundation for all subsequent licensing procedures.
Al-Gharib explained that tenants often face delays and complications in obtaining their operational licenses because the original property lacks proper fire safety approval, underscoring that responsibility begins with ensuring the building’s compliance before concluding any lease.
In this context, the General Fire Force called on all tenants to confirm that any facility or commercial complex they intend to rent within holds a valid and active fire license.
This applies to all shops, outlets and business units operating within shared buildings, malls and commercial centers.
He noted that these measures fall within the broader framework of strengthening safety and prevention standards, ensuring strict adherence to approved requirements, and safeguarding both lives and property from potential risks.
The Fire Force reiterated that fire licensing is not a procedural formality, but a critical safety obligation designed to prevent accidents, reduce hazards and ensure rapid response readiness in emergency situations.
By enforcing this regulation, the authority aims to raise overall safety standards in the commercial sector, eliminate unlicensed premises, and protect investors from legal and operational setbacks caused by non-compliant properties.
The message from the Fire Force is unequivocal: no building license, no shop license. Tenants and investors are therefore advised to exercise due diligence and verify all safety approvals before entering into rental agreements.
