Building safety
Fire doors: what every leaseholder should know
Why your front door matters to everyone else in the building.
Reviewed by Mark Cunningham AssocRICS MTPI MIFSM, Leasehold Director. Last reviewed 3 October 2026.
Your flat's entrance door is part of the building's fire protection. It holds back fire and smoke so neighbours can stay put or escape.
What the law requires
- In buildings with two or more flats, residents must be given information about keeping fire doors shut and not tampering with self-closers.
- In buildings over 11 metres, communal fire doors are checked every three months and flat entrance doors once a year, on a best-endeavours basis.
What you can do
- Never remove or disconnect a self-closer.
- Report damage, gaps or missing seals.
- Check your lease before replacing your front door; consent is usually needed and the new door must meet the fire rating.
How we can help
Fire risk assessments and fire strategiesCladding and remediationFull block managementWe provide block management across Southport, Churchtown and Kew, Birkdale and Ainsdale, Formby, Ormskirk and Aughton, Crosby and Maghull, Bootle and Litherland, Liverpool, Hesketh Bank and Tarleton and Preston, Penwortham and Longton. For the law in brief, see Know the law.General information about the law in England, not advice on a particular building.