What Are the New Fire Safety Regulations 2025?

If you’re a landlord, business owner, or building manager, keeping up with fire safety regulations can feel like a full-time job. And with the 2025 updates to UK fire safety regulations now confirmed, you might be wondering: what’s actually changed, and what do I need to do about it?

Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. At ESI: Electrical Safety Inspections, we help clients across Hampshire, Surrey, and Berkshire stay compliant without the confusion.

In this post, we’ll break down the new fire safety regulations for 2025 in plain English, so you know exactly what matters, what’s changed, and how to stay one step ahead.

First, a Quick Recap

Over the last few years, fire safety legislation has seen a series of changes driven by lessons learned from the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

The introduction of the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, followed by updates in October 2023, aimed to tighten fire risk management in high-risk residential buildings and improve accountability.

Now, in 2025, we’re seeing further developments—this time focusing on standardising competency, enhancing record-keeping, and extending legal responsibilities to a wider group of buildings and stakeholders.

So, what’s new?

1. Competency Standards Are Now Mandatory

From 2025, anyone carrying out a Fire Risk Assessment must be demonstrably competent. While this has always been a requirement in principle under the Fire Safety Order, the 2025 regulations now define competency more clearly—and enforce it more strictly.

In practical terms, this means:

• Fire risk assessors must hold a recognised qualification (such as Level 3 or Level 6 in Fire Risk Assessment)
• They must have up-to-date knowledge of legislation and best practice
• Building owners or Responsible Persons must ensure their chosen assessor meets these criteria

At ESI, all our assessors meet or exceed these new requirements—with many holding Level 6 qualifications and membership in the Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM). This puts our clients ahead of the curve when it comes to compliance.

2. Digital Records and Sharing of Fire Safety Information

One of the most notable changes is the push toward digital record-keeping and information sharing, especially in multi-occupied residential buildings.

From 2025:

• Responsible Persons must maintain fire safety information digitally and make it accessible to residents, enforcement bodies, and—where relevant—building regulators.
• Key documents like Fire Risk Assessments, maintenance logs, evacuation plans, and evidence of fire door checks must be stored securely and updated promptly.
• Larger buildings (typically over 11 metres in height or with multiple Responsible Persons) will need a digital safety file that follows the building over its lifetime.

This move is part of the government’s wider Golden Thread initiative—ensuring vital safety information doesn’t get lost when ownership or management changes.

3. Fire Door Checks Expanded to Smaller Buildings

Previously, the requirement for routine fire door checks applied mainly to high-rise buildings. As of 2025, all multi-occupied residential buildings with communal areas must carry out and record regular inspections of fire doors.

This includes:

• Checking communal fire doors quarterly
• Checking flat entrance doors annually
• Keeping written records of checks and repairs
• Informing residents of their responsibilities

If you manage flats—even in converted houses—you’ll likely now be affected by this change. That’s why we’re helping landlords and agents put simple inspection routines in place.

4. Enhanced Duties for “Overlapping” Responsible Persons

In many buildings, fire safety responsibility is shared—between freeholders, managing agents, leaseholders, or commercial tenants. The 2025 update makes it crystal clear: all parties must co-operate and share relevant fire safety information.

For example:

• If a commercial tenant on the ground floor of a mixed-use building has their own Fire Risk Assessment, that must be shared with the building’s overall Responsible Person.
• Landlords must coordinate with agents and contractors to ensure risks are properly managed across all parts of the property.

Failing to do so could result in enforcement action—even if you’ve done “your bit” but not communicated it properly.

5. More Frequent Fire Risk Assessment Reviews

While there’s still no fixed legal timeframe, the 2025 guidance now strongly recommends annual reviews for most buildings and more frequent reviews where risks change regularly (e.g. student accommodation, buildings with vulnerable residents, or places undergoing renovation).

There’s also a stronger expectation that reviews be documented in writing, even if no major changes are made. This builds on the 2023 change that made written Fire Risk Assessments mandatory for all buildings, regardless of size or staff numbers.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 fire safety regulations build on previous reforms and reflect the government’s continued push for clarity, accountability, and competence in fire safety management.

For businesses, landlords, and property managers, this means taking a closer look at:

• Who is doing your Fire Risk Assessment—and are they properly qualified?
• Are your fire safety records up to date, digital, and accessible?
• Do you have systems in place to check fire doors regularly?
• Are you sharing information with other responsible parties in your building?

At ESI: Electrical Safety Inspections, we’re already helping clients across Hampshire, Surrey, and Berkshire prepare for the 2025 changes. From fully compliant Fire Risk Assessments to help setting up digital safety records and door inspection routines, we make fire safety simple, practical, and professional.

Need help getting ready for the 2025 fire safety rules?
📞 Give ESI a call or book your assessment online today—we’ll guide you through the changes and make sure you’re compliant and confident.