Safety

Smoke & CO Alarm Requirements for Landlords

Legal requirements for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in rental properties. The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022.

Max fine: Up to £5,000 per property

Deadline: Must be in place and tested at each tenancy start

Key Facts

Smoke alarm required on every storey with living accommodation
CO alarm required in rooms with fixed combustion appliances
Must be working at the start of each tenancy
Gas cookers are now exempt from CO alarm requirement
Local authority can fine up to £5,000 for non-compliance

Current Requirements

Since October 2022, the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 require landlords to ensure at least one smoke alarm on every storey of their property where there is a room used as living accommodation, a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers), and that all alarms are in working order at the start of each new tenancy.

Types of Alarms

You can use battery-powered or mains-wired alarms. For smoke alarms, optical alarms are generally recommended for rental properties as they are less prone to false alarms from cooking. For CO alarms, sealed long-life battery alarms are popular as they require less maintenance. Mains-wired alarms with battery backup provide the most reliable protection.

Testing and Maintenance

You must test alarms at the start of each tenancy and ensure they are working. During the tenancy, it is the tenant's responsibility to test alarms regularly, but you remain responsible for repair and replacement. It is good practice to check alarms during periodic inspections and replace batteries or units as needed.

Penalties

If you fail to comply after being served a remedial notice, the local authority can impose a civil penalty of up to £5,000. Repeated non-compliance can result in higher penalties. Under the Renters' Rights Act, compliance with safety requirements is linked to your ability to serve valid notices.