Padlocked Gate

[Guest Carol]

I rent a house in a row of houses 2nd from the end with only one door.  If there is a fire in the 3rd and 4th houses, I will not be able to escape as there is a padlock on the gate of the 1st house.  Is this legal? 

[AnthonyB]

How do you get in and out normally then? If you have a door to the street from your bottom stair landing in a terrace you don't require usually a rear garden fire exit route.