What landlords need to know about furniture fire regulations

If you provide your tenants with furniture, your property instantly becomes more valuable and in demand, especially for students and young professionals. But with this comes some legal responsibility, too. The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (FFSR) were created and implemented to make sure that furniture doesn’t become a death trap in the event of a fire. 

As of October 2025, the rules have evolved; although the core safety standards remain, the scope of what is covered has changed. Landlords need to understand these furniture fire regulations in order to avoid fines and any tragedies occurring on their watch. 

H2: What are the furniture fire regulations?

As mentioned above, the law governing this is the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. This regulation makes it a criminal offence to supply furniture that does not meet certain ignition-resistance levels. 

There are two lab tests that can be implemented to ensure this, for example:

• The match test: Does the cover fabric resist a small flame?
• The cigarette test: Does the combination of cover and filling material resist a smouldering cigarette?

The 2025 amendments

Towards the end of 2025, the UK government introduced the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2025. This was implemented to modernise the rules made over 20 years ago and to make sure the infants are not exposed to chemicals. 

The swing label is gone

For a long time, all new furniture carried two labels: a permanent label and a detachable display label (or swing label). From October 2025, manufacturers no longer need to attach the swing label. 

If you buy a new sofa today and it doesn’t have a green swing label, don’t panic. It is perfectly legal. However, the permanently stitched-in label remains mandatory.

Narrowed scope (nursery products)

Certain baby and child-related items have been removed from the fire regulations due to the fire risk for these items being lower compared to the risk of exposing infants to flame-retardant chemicals. These newly excluded products exclude:

• Prams
• Pushchairs
• Highchairs
• Playpens
• car seats
• Small mattresses (under 170cm x 75cm).

As a landlord, you’re able to provide these items in a furnished setting without an FFSR fire label; however, they still need to be considered as safe under general product safety laws. 

Extended prosecution window

The Trading Standards used to only allow a 6-month window to be able to bring a case forward for non-compliant furniture, but this has now changed to 12 months. There’s no doubt that compliance oversight is becoming stricter, so be sure to keep all your purchase receipts and inventory photographs for at least 12 months after the tenancy ends. 

Which items must comply?

If you are providing a furnished property, almost anything with “stuffing” or upholstery must follow furniture fire regulations.

The permanent label

Essentially, the permanent label is your only proof of compliance, so it’s important to make sure you have one for each furniture item. They can be found under a seat cushion or stitched into the base of the furniture. There are two types of permanent labels: 

1. Full label: This includes detailed information regarding the manufacturer and any specific tests that have been passed by them. 
2. Short label: A short label includes a simpler version of the full label and can be found on smaller items, such as cushions. 

Never leave a furniture item in your property that does not have a permanent label on it. Always assume that the furniture item is non-compliant if this is the case, and don’t try to make the furniture piece compliant yourself either. Make sure the furniture item is out of the property before the tenant moves in. 

Risks of non-compliance

So, what are the risks of non-compliance with furniture fire regulations? Well, failing to comply can lead to severe penalties under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, for example: 

• Fines: Unlimited fines for non-compliant items.
• Prison: Up to six months’ imprisonment for serious or repeat breaches.
• Insurance: Your landlord insurance will almost certainly be voided if a fire occurs and non-compliant furniture is found to have contributed to the spread.

Practical compliance steps for 2026

Here’s what to do this year to ensure you remain compliant in 2026: 

Audit your inventory

Always check every piece of furniture in your rental property that is provided by you to the tenant. Make sure there is a permanent label on the furniture and take clear, time-stamped photographs of it. Keep these images in a digital file along with your Gas Safety and EICR certificates.

Beware the charity shop trap

While buying second-hand is great for the environment, it is risky for landlords because many people rip off the labels before donating furniture. So, if you buy a second-hand sofa without a permanent label, it is illegal to provide this in your rented property. 

Clarify tenant responsibilities

You should highlight to your tenants that they are fully responsible for any furniture they bring into the property, and that it is safe enough. This doesn’t mean, however, that you shouldn’t still keep an eye out during your inspections. If, for example,  a tenant brings in a highly flammable, unlabelled “vintage” sofa, it increases the risk to your property.

The 1950 rule

Furniture manufactured before 1950 is exempt from the furniture fire regulations because the highly flammable foams used in modern furniture were not yet in use. But retro furniture from the 70s or 80s still needs to comply with this. 

The furniture fire regulations are there to keep your tenants and rental property safe, and with the 2025 amendments, the most important part is for you to document everything. Keep those receipts and make sure your labels are intact. 

Are you looking for landlord insurance to provide extra protection for your property? If so, make sure to get in touch with our team of specialists at CIA Landlords on 01788 818 670.