Internal door being used as a backdoor - rental property

ahrimaniac

Hello,

Just need a quick bit of advice. I am renting a property and only just moved in a couple of weeks ago.

I have noticed that the back door isn't a proper back door but simply an internal door hung on the frame - it's a tight seal but does this not break a fire safety law? Also, I'm fairly sure that a 'hollow' door would invalidate my home insurance - landlord moving fairly slowly on this (actually, he's not replying at all!) so need a bit of advice.

Cheers!

Doozergirl

Fire safety how? To keep the fire out of outside?

Fire doors are to block fire spreading to other internal areas. I don't think there are any regulations regarding what external doors you have unless you're talking about complete new builds and thermal properties to reduce the carbon footprint.

N79

Unless property is an HMO then no, this does not break fire safety law as there are no specific fire safety laws beyond normal building regs applicable to non HMO private rental properties.

bryanb

Doozergirl wrote: »

Fire safety how? To keep the fire out of outside?

No idea about the regs, but a door that burned through rapidly would ventilate (let air into) the fire and could increase fire spread.
I was a fireman once, and speak from experience not anything to do with building regs etc.

Paparika

but easy to kick in, i think is her worry

theartfullodger

Maybe the way to look at it is... if something happens because the door was only "internal" spec., (eg fire, break-in...) and it ends up in the papers & clearly you knew about it in advance (well, your posts here...) will you be happy to be in the local papers as "????ing Landlord ....".

If unlikely to be happy replace door now... if likely to be happy & couldn't care less what the papers print save your money...

Might be worth going through these 29 risks...
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/housinghealth
and seeing if you feel comfortable should the local environmental 'elf 'n safety ever get called in...

Cheers!"

Lodger
(Currently replacing the "internal" spec. door of student-let brick out-house... it rotted through & swelled up so it wouldnae shut, fyi... )

bryanb

theartfullodger wrote: »

Maybe the way to look at it is... if something happens because the door was only "internal" spec., (eg fire, break-in...) and it ends up in the papers & clearly you knew about it in advance (well, your posts here...) will you be happy to be in the local papers as "????ing Landlord ....".

If unlikely to be happy replace door now... if likely to be happy & couldn't care less what the papers print save your money...

Might be worth going through these 29 risks...
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/housinghealth
and seeing if you feel comfortable should the local environmental 'elf 'n safety ever get called in...

Cheers!"

Lodger
(Currently replacing the "internal" spec. door of student-let brick out-house... it rotted through & swelled up so it wouldnae shut, fyi... )

I thought he was the tenant. (Or she)

Doozergirl

theartfullodger wrote: »

Maybe the way to look at it is... if something happens because the door was only "internal" spec., (eg fire, break-in...) and it ends up in the papers & clearly you knew about it in advance (well, your posts here...) will you be happy to be in the local papers as "????ing Landlord ....".

Don't get me wrong - the landlord is an idiot but there aren't any regs that I am aware of. Common sense should be enough!

poppysarah

What does your insurance policy require of external doors?

silvercar

Is this the same door that was there when you viewed the property?