Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations for Landlords 2024
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Since October 2022, landlords must install smoke alarms on every floor, carbon monoxide alarms in rooms with fixed combustion appliances (including gas boilers), and repair or replace alarms when notified of faults. Alarms must work at the start of every new tenancy.
Getting your smoke and CO alarms right is one of the most important safety obligations you have as a landlord. Here's everything you need to know.
What alarms are required by law?
Under the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022, landlords must provide both smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in private rented properties.
- Smoke alarms - At least one on every storey with living accommodation
- Carbon monoxide alarms - In any room with a fixed combustion appliance (except gas cookers)
These requirements apply to all private rented properties in England, regardless of when the tenancy started.
Where must smoke alarms be installed?
You need at least one smoke alarm on every storey of the property that contains a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation.
- Every floor with bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, or bathrooms
- Hallways and landings are ideal locations
- Near bedroom doors for early warning during sleep
- On the ceiling or high on walls (smoke rises)
For a typical two-storey house, you need at least two smoke alarms - one on each floor. A three-storey property needs at least three.
Where must CO alarms be installed?
Carbon monoxide alarms are required in any room containing a fixed combustion appliance, except gas cookers. This was expanded in October 2022 to include gas boilers.
| Room/Appliance | CO Alarm Required? |
|---|---|
| Room with gas boiler | Yes |
| Room with gas fire | Yes |
| Room with oil boiler | Yes |
| Room with wood-burning stove | Yes |
| Room with open fire | Yes |
| Room with gas cooker only | No (but recommended) |
| Room with electric heating only | No |
Position CO alarms at head height, either on a wall or shelf, and between 1-3 metres from the appliance.
Do I need to test them?
Yes, you must test all alarms on the day a new tenancy begins to ensure they are working. This is a legal requirement, not just good practice.
- At tenancy start - Landlord must test and confirm alarms work
- During tenancy - Testing typically becomes tenant's responsibility
- When notified of fault - Landlord must repair or replace
Document your testing with photos or a signed checklist. This protects you if there's ever a dispute.
What about replacement?
When a tenant reports a faulty alarm, you must repair or replace it as soon as reasonably practicable. The 2022 amendment strengthened this obligation.
- Respond promptly to all fault reports
- Replace alarms that are past their expiry date (typically 10 years for smoke alarms, 5-7 years for CO alarms)
- Keep records of all repairs and replacements
- Consider using sealed 10-year battery alarms to reduce maintenance
What type of alarms - battery vs hard-wired?
The regulations don't specify a particular type. Battery, mains-wired, or combined units all comply, provided they work.
| Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Sealed 10-year battery | Easy to install, no battery changes needed | Replace entire unit after 10 years |
| Replaceable battery | Cheapest upfront | Batteries need replacing, tenant might remove |
| Mains-wired with battery backup | Most reliable, can be interlinked | Installation cost, needs electrician |
For most landlords, sealed 10-year battery alarms offer the best balance of reliability and low maintenance.
What are the penalties?
Local authorities can issue a remedial notice if you breach the regulations. Failure to comply within 28 days can result in a civil penalty of up to £5,000.
- Local authority issues remedial notice
- You have 28 days to comply
- If you don't comply, they can install alarms and charge you
- Civil penalty of up to £5,000 for non-compliance
- This is per breach, not per property
Beyond fines, if a tenant is harmed due to missing or faulty alarms, you could face civil liability claims and potentially criminal prosecution.
Recent changes - October 2022 update
The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 significantly expanded landlord obligations from 1 October 2022.
- CO alarms now required in rooms with gas boilers - Previously only solid fuel appliances required CO alarms
- Repair/replace duty when notified - New legal obligation to fix faulty alarms
- Applies to all tenancies - Not just new ones
If your property has a gas boiler and no CO alarm in that room, you're now in breach of the regulations.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need alarms on every floor?
Yes. The law requires at least one smoke alarm on every storey of your rental property where there is a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation. This includes hallways, landings, and any floor with bedrooms or living spaces.
What about flats above shops?
Flats above shops are covered by the regulations. You need smoke alarms on every floor of the residential part and CO alarms in any room with a fixed combustion appliance. The commercial premises below are subject to separate fire safety regulations.
Whose responsibility is it to test - landlord or tenant?
The landlord must ensure alarms are working at the start of each new tenancy. During the tenancy, testing is typically the tenant's responsibility (check your tenancy agreement). However, if the tenant reports a fault, the landlord must repair or replace the alarm.
Do I need heat detectors in kitchens?
Heat detectors are not legally required under the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations. However, they are recommended in kitchens where smoke alarms would cause false alarms from cooking. Some HMO licensing conditions may require them.
Managing this yourself?
LandlordOS helps UK landlords stay compliant and organised:
- Automatic compliance reminders for Gas Safety, EICR, EPC
- Document storage with AI-powered certificate reading
- Tenancy tracking and rent management
LandlordOS tip
Set calendar reminders to replace alarms before they expire. Smoke alarms typically last 10 years, CO alarms 5-7 years. Check the manufacture date on each alarm and track replacements in your compliance checklist.