Does a flat leaseholder have a duty to upgrade their front door to current fire safety regulations?

[Guest Peter Scott]

Current legislation requires freeholders or their appointed managers to carry out fire safety audits of blocks of flats. These audits commonly find that front doors to flats are not compliant with current Building Regulations. However, building regulations only apply to new buildings. Is there any legislation which confirms a duty upon leaseholders to upgrade the front doors of the flats, if they do not meet current standards?

[AnthonyB]

It's nothing to do with Building Regulations which wouldn't apply to an existing building not undergoing alterations - it's a fire safety legislation issue

A proper Fire Risk Assessment will determine to what standard the doors need to be - depending on the size and layout of the block older standard fire doors are fully acceptable if still in working condition.

The amended Fire Safety Order includes flat front doors, windows and external structure as the responsibility of the freeholder or RMC to assess and ensure are adequate for the risk. Doors that aren't to the appropriate standard must be remediated, usually at the cost of the flat in questions owner and the freeholder/TMC is expected to ensure this is done with an expectation for them to resort to civil legal action or enforcement action via the local authority if needed.