My son has just brought a flat above a coffee shop. He is having works done which require them to be signed off by building regs, which we are happy with. However, we have lifted the floor boards to find that all we can see is the shops flasterboard ceiling below and the tops of spot lights that have been installed by the current shop tenants. We are now being told we cannot get our flat works signed off because their is no fire prevention between us and the shop. Who is responsible for the cost and putting the fire protection in - us, the shop tennant or the freeholder/shop landlord.

Who pays the cost is a legal matter not a fire safety matter and I think it would depend on the tenants agreement, you need solicitors advice.