Fire safety, smoke alarms and fire doors
If you have fire safety, smoke alarms and fire doors in your home, your landlord must put it right by law. For social housing in England, Awaab's Law deadlines for this type of problem are being phased in by 2027. Your landlord's repair duty applies now. This is not something we take on as a housing disrepair claim, but your landlord may still be responsible for putting it right. The free steps below are usually the fastest way to get it sorted.
England: Section 11, Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 + Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations 2015 + Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Wales: Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 repair and fitness duties.
How to get help with this, for free
- Report it to your landlord in writing and keep a copy.
- If they do not act, your council's environmental health team can inspect and legally require the repair.
- The fire and rescue service can act on fire risks in the shared parts of a block of flats.
- If there is immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the fire service.
Symptoms
- Smoke alarm missing, not working, or the battery removed
- No carbon monoxide alarm in a room with a boiler, log burner, or gas fire
- A fire door that doesn't close by itself or doesn't seal shut
- Damaged self-closer, broken seal, or gaps around a fire door frame
- Escape routes or shared hallways blocked with rubbish or furniture
- A previous small fire or scorch damage never properly repaired
Health impact
- Smoke inhalation and burns if a fire does start
- Carbon monoxide poisoning where no working alarm is present
- Higher risk of a fire spreading before you can escape
- Stress and anxiety from feeling unsafe in your own home
Evidence to gather
- Press the test button on any alarm and photograph the result, or lack of a beep
- Photograph a fire door that won't close, plus any gaps, damaged seals, or a missing self-closer
- Note the date you reported it in writing and keep copies of every message to your landlord
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim compensation for fire safety, smoke alarms and fire doors?
No, this is not something we take on as a housing disrepair claim. Your landlord may still be legally responsible for putting it right, and the free routes below are usually the fastest way to get it sorted.
What should I do about fire safety, smoke alarms and fire doors?
Report it to your landlord in writing and keep a copy. If they do not act, your council's environmental health team can inspect and legally require the repair. The fire and rescue service can act on fire risks in the shared parts of a block of flats. If there is immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the fire service.
What is the law behind this?
Section 11, Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 + Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations 2015 + Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Is my landlord responsible for the smoke alarm?
Yes. Under the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations, your landlord must fit a working smoke alarm on every storey you live on, and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a boiler, log burner, or gas fire. Once you report an alarm as faulty, they must repair or replace it. Councils can fine a landlord up to £5,000 for ignoring this.
What should I do if my fire door won't close properly?
Report it to your landlord in writing straight away. A fire door that doesn't close and seal on its own can let smoke spread fast, especially in a block of flats, so treat it as urgent. If they ignore a written report, your council's environmental health team can step in.
What free help can I get with a fire-safety problem?
Fire safety is a safety matter, so the fastest help is usually free. Report the problem to your landlord in writing and keep a copy. If they do not act, your council's environmental health team can inspect and legally require the repair, and the fire and rescue service can act on fire risks in the shared parts of a block. If there is immediate danger, call 999. For a building-wide problem such as cladding, the building's responsible person and the fire service deal with it.
Read more about fire safety, smoke alarms and fire doors
Put it in writing
A written record helps your case. Copy a free, plain-English template, fill in the brackets, and send it to your landlord.
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By: Support for Tenants editorial team
Last updated:
Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 15 June 2026. Checked by our SRA-regulated panel solicitors. This is general information, not legal advice for your specific case. Any compensation figures or ranges shown are illustrative only, not a promise; every case is different.