Fire Door Compliance for Landlords in the UK: What You Need to Know

Jamie Harris
Jul 14, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Jul 15, 2025

Fire Door Compliance for Landlords in the UK

Introduction: Fire Safety Isn't Optional, It's the Law!

As a landlord in the UK, fire safety is one of your most important responsibilities — and that includes more than just smoke alarms and extinguishers. Fire doors are a legal requirement in many rental properties and play a vital role in protecting tenants and preventing the spread of fire.

Unfortunately, they’re often overlooked or poorly maintained — leaving landlords exposed to legal action, insurance issues, and putting lives at risk.

In this article, we break down everything you need to know about fire door compliance, what the law says, and how you can meet your obligations.

What Is a Fire Door?

A fire door is a specially manufactured and tested door designed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke. When correctly installed and maintained, a fire door can hold back fire for 30 or 60 minutes, giving occupants more time to evacuate and emergency services more time to respond.

In rental properties, fire doors are typically required:

Between flats and shared communal areas
Inside HMOs (houses in multiple occupation)
Along protected escape routes in multi-storey buildings
In high-risk areas such as kitchens and storage rooms

Fire Door Laws for UK Landlords

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and more recently the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, landlords are legally required to:

Install appropriate fire doors in shared areas and high-risk locations
Ensure fire doors are in good working condition
Carry out regular inspections (every 3 to 6 months for communal areas)
Maintain accurate records and documentation
Complete any necessary repairs or replacements promptly

Non-compliance can result in enforcement notices, prosecution, hefty fines, and potentially invalid insurance claims in the event of a fire.

Common Fire Door Issues in Rental Properties

At Fire Doors UK, we inspect hundreds of fire doors for landlords each year. Some of the most common issues we find include:

Doors that fail to close fully
Missing or damaged intumescent strips and smoke seals
Incorrect or worn out hinges and closers
Gaps exceeding legal tolerances
Inadequate signage or missing fire door identification
Uncertified or poorly fitted doors

Any of these issues can mean the door will not perform in the event of a fire — and that’s a serious risk.

How Landlords Can Stay Compliant

Here’s a simple checklist for landlords to help ensure ongoing fire door compliance:

1. Arrange Professional Inspections

Hire an accredited fire door inspector to assess the condition and compliance of each fire door in your property.

2. Schedule Maintenance and Repairs

Don’t delay addressing issues, even small defects can make a fire door ineffective.

3. Keep Written Records

Maintain reports and certificates to demonstrate your compliance during inspections, audits, or insurance claims.

4. Educate Tenants

Tenants should understand the importance of fire doors and avoid propping them open or reporting any damage promptly.

Fire Doors UK – Supporting Landlords Nationwide

We work with landlords and letting agents across the UK to help ensure their properties are compliant and safe. Our services include:

Fire door inspections with full condition reports
Repairs and ongoing maintenance contracts
Certified fire door supply and installation
Ongoing support and expert advice tailored to landlords

Whether you own one property or manage a large portfolio, we’ll help you meet your fire safety obligations without the stress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all rental properties need fire doors?Not all, but most flats, HMOs, and multi-storey properties do. The layout, size, and use of the building will determine the legal requirements.

Can I inspect fire doors myself as a landlord?No. Fire door inspections must be carried out by a trained and competent professional who understands compliance and testing requirements.

What’s the difference between FD30 and FD60 fire doors?FD30 doors provide 30 minutes of fire resistance, while FD60 provide 60. The correct specification depends on the risk level and layout of the building.