Adaptations, communal areas and estates
Communal area refurbishment for social landlords
Entrances, stairs and landings refurbished: flooring, lighting, decoration, door entry and fire safety items.
Communal area refurbishment improves the shared entrances, stairwells, landings and corridors of blocks of flats: flooring, lighting, decoration, door entry, post boxes and fire safety items. Because communal areas are escape routes, refurbishment must keep or improve fire safety.
How do we approach communal area refurbishment?
We refurbish communal areas in occupied blocks, keeping escape routes clear and fire safety items intact throughout. Where works are recharged to leaseholders, we itemise costs per block to support your consultation.
What is included?
- Non-slip flooring and stair nosings
- LED lighting, including emergency lighting coordination
- Decoration with appropriate surface spread of flame classifications
- Door entry systems and secure entrance doors
- Post boxes, notice boards and wayfinding signage
- Fire doors, compartmentation and signage within the area
- Bin and cycle store improvements
What do we hand over at the end?
- Itemised per-block costs
- Completion photographs
- Certificates for electrical and fire safety items
- Product data for flooring and finishes
Who is this service for?
- Estate and neighbourhood teams
- Building safety teams
- Landlords of mixed-tenure blocks
Process
How does each job run?
Survey
Condition, fire safety items, escape routes and resident needs are recorded.
Specify and price
Itemised per block, with leaseholder recharge information if needed.
Works
Phased to keep escape routes clear, with daily clean-up.
Handover
Photos, product data and any certificates for lighting, door entry or fire safety items.
Rules by nation
Which rules shape communal area refurbishment in each UK nation?
The legal duties sit with the landlord. These are the rules that set the timescales and standards we work to, as checked on 31 October 2026.
Under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, in residential buildings with storeys over 11 metres high, communal fire doors must be checked every three months and flat entrance doors every year on a best-endeavours basis. The Fire Safety Act 2021 confirmed that flat entrance doors fall under the Fire Safety Order.
Where costs are recharged to leaseholders, landlords in England and Wales may need to consult under section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 before qualifying works start. We provide itemised costs per block to support that.
Decent Homes Standard (England)Fire doors in blocks of flats are part of the building's fire strategy and are reviewed through the responsible person's fire risk assessment. Remedial work is completed to the doorset manufacturer's certified details.
Where costs are recharged to leaseholders, section 20 consultation may be needed before qualifying works start. We provide itemised costs per block to support that.
WHQS 2023 (Wales)Fire doors in blocks of flats are part of the building's fire strategy and are reviewed through the responsible person's fire risk assessment. Remedial work is completed to the doorset manufacturer's certified details.
Owners in mixed-tenure blocks share common repair costs under their title deeds and the Tenement Management Scheme. We provide itemised costs per block.
SHQS (Scotland)Fire doors in blocks of flats are part of the building's fire strategy and are reviewed through the responsible person's fire risk assessment. Remedial work is completed to the doorset manufacturer's certified details.
Where owners in a block share costs, their leases or deeds set the process. We provide itemised costs per block.
Decent Homes Standard (NI)Guide prices
What does communal area refurbishment cost?
Rounded planning figures with their sources and VAT basis. Your price depends on the survey, your specification and the region. Use our programme budget tool for a regional estimate.
| Item | Unit | Guide range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communal area refurbishment | per block | Priced after survey | Priced after survey: Published tenders bundle too many items for a usable rate. VAT basis: –. |
Prices checked 31 October 2026. See all guide prices and regional factors.
Questions
Communal area refurbishment: common questions
How do you keep escape routes safe during works?
We plan and phase works to keep escape routes clear, and our method statements prohibit wedging fire doors open or storing materials in communal areas.
Can costs be recharged to leaseholders?
Your leases decide that. We itemise costs per block to support any statutory consultation.
Do you install door entry systems?
Yes, as part of a communal refurbishment or as a separate package.
What about decoration finishes and fire spread?
In escape routes, surface finishes need appropriate fire performance classifications. We specify accordingly.
Related
Which services often go with communal area refurbishment?
Fire door installation and remediation
Flat entrance and communal fire doors fitted, adjusted or replaced, with evidence for your fire safety records.
Learn more
Cyclical and external decoration
External painting and repairs on a cycle, protecting timber, render and metalwork before they fail.
Learn more
Estate and external works
Paths, paving, fencing, bin stores, parking, drainage and landscaping across estates.
Learn moreFurther reading: Fire doors in blocks of flats: the rules explained