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Housing Standards

Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms

Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms
New requirements for all rented homes from 1 October 2022

From 1 October 2022, all private and social landlords must ensure that in all of their rented properties there are:

  • smoke alarms on every storey where there is a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation; and
  • carbon monoxide alarms in any room used wholly or partly as living accommodation where a fixed combustion appliance is present (excluding gas cookers)

The law also creates a new obligation on landlords to repair or replace any alarm which is found to be faulty during the period of a tenancy. Landlords must repair or replace alarms as soon as reasonably practicable after being notified they are faulty by the tenant or their representative.

If the council has reasonable grounds to believe a landlord has not complied with their duties, for example there are missing or defective alarms, we will serve a notice on the landlord requiring them to install working alarms.

If the landlord does not complete the necessary work in the alloted time, we will do works-in-default and may also issue the landlord with a penalty notice of up to £5,000.

The law will apply equally to private tenancies and social tenancies. A bathroom or lavatory is to be treated as a room used as living accommodation for the purposes of these regulations.

The Government has published detailed Guidance for Landlords and Tenants on these regulations.

What type of smoke alarm is required and where?

Landlords should choose the type of smoke alarms based on the needs of their building and their tenants, and that those alarms are compliant with British Standards BS 5839-6.

At least one smoke alarm should be installed on every storey which is used as living accommodation. Landlords should follow the individual manufacturer’s instructions when installing the alarms. However, in general, smoke alarms should be fixed to the ceiling in a circulation space, i.e. a hall or a landing. Where battery powered alarms are selected, alarms with ‘sealed for life’ batteries rather than alarms with replaceable batteries are the better option.

We recommend that all rented homes are equipped with smoke alarms and heat detectors which are mains-powered with integral battery back-up, wirelessly interlinked and installed by a competent electrician to British Standard BS 5839-6:2019 Grade D LD2. Landlords of HMOs have additional fire safety responsibilities and should select and maintain their alarm systems in accordance with their fire risk assessment.

For further information, you can download fire safety information from www.gov.uk/firekills

What type of carbon monoxide alarm is required and where?

Landlords should make an informed decision and choose the type of carbon monoxide alarms based on the needs of their building and their tenants, and that those alarms are compliant with British Standards BS 50291.

Carbon monoxide alarms should be installed in every room which is used as living accommodation containing a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers). Landlords should follow the individual manufacturer’s instructions when installing the alarms. However, in general, carbon monoxide alarms should be positioned at head height, either on a wall or shelf, approximately 1-3 metres away from a potential source of carbon monoxide.

We recommend that carbon monoxide alarms in rental properties are mains-powered with integral battery back-up and installed by a competent electrician to British Standard BS EN 50292:2013. Where battery powered alarms are selected, alarms with ‘sealed for life’ batteries rather than alarms with replaceable batteries are the better option. 

All alarms should be installed and maintained in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.

Further guidance and information