New Rules for Landlords on Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Private and social landlords are set to face tougher new rules, making it a legal requirement to fit smoke alarms in all types of rented accommodation, regardless of tenure. The conditions under which they must be fitted will also be widened. Read on for an update on the latest landlord smoke alarm requirements for the UK.

Following parliamentary approval, both social and private rented sector landlords will be legally obliged to ensure a carbon monoxide alarm is installed in any room of their properties where there is a fixed combustion appliance, including gas boilers but excluding gas ovens. Where a new fixed combustion appliance is installed, a carbon monoxide alarm must be installed by law.

There will also be a requirement to repair or replace smoke and carbon monoxide alarms once they are reported as faulty, although testing throughout the duration of a tenancy remains the tenant’s responsibility.

To summarise, the key changes to the regulations are:

• Smoke alarms will be mandatory in ALL social rented homes
• Carbon monoxide alarms will be mandatory in rooms with a fixed combustion appliance in both private and social rented homes
• Carbon monoxide alarms will be mandatory upon installation of any heating appliance in all tenures in line with the Building Regulations
• Landlords will be expected to repair or replace carbon monoxide or smoke alarms that are reported as faulty

Industry comment on landlord smoke alarm requirements

Propertymark policy manager Timothy Douglas welcomes the changes, saying that they are necessary to improve safety for tenants. He says: “Private landlords have been required since 2015 to provide working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors where applicable in rented property, and the extension of the regulations to encompass gas boilers is a sensible amendment.

“Propertymark has long called for tenants to receive the same level of protection, irrespective of tenure, and these changes go some way to rectifying that.”

However, Mr Douglas also feels that if landlords are going to be able to make the necessary checks on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, they need to be given flexibility, as well as greater clarity. He feels that rather than setting a rule that alarms should be tested on the first day of a tenancy, there should be more leeway so that testing can be carried out ahead of the tenancy commencing.

“The current requirement for alarms to be tested on the first day of a tenancy is impractical for many agents and landlords, and more workable measures are needed,” he says.

According to MP Eddie Hughes, the Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing, says that around 20 people are killed every year due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, and even more through house fires, making working carbon monoxide and smoke alarms absolutely crucial.

Mr Hughes says, “I’m proud that the new rules being proposed will ensure even more homes are fitted with life-saving alarms.”

“Whether you own your home, are privately renting or in social housing – everyone deserves to feel safe and this is an incredibly important step in protecting those at risk.”

Jim Bywater, National Fire Chiefs Council, Domestic Detection Lead, added:

“NFCC welcomes the changes which we believe will make many more people safer in their homes. We have campaigned for regulations to ensure that regardless of tenure, homes have adequate lifesaving detection.

“The new regulations will contribute to reducing fire and carbon monoxide casualties and fatalities and bring consistency and greater protection to those living in both private and social rented homes.”

Guidance relating to where alarms are fitted and to ensure alarms meet relevant standards will also be updated.

The reforms follow a 2-month consultation, and changes will be brought forward through the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 and the statutory guidance (Approved Document J) supporting Part J of the Building Regulations.

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Rizwan Moledina

Riz is the founder of homes2let and has been in real estate for over twenty years. He has a background in economics and is a real estate developer and buy to let investor.

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