The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022
In 2015, the government introduced the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations.
The government later amended these regulations, with changes effective from 01 October 2022. You can read the full regulations on the UK Government website*.
These regulations mean that landlords must install and maintain two different alarm types:
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Smoke alarms.
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Carbon monoxide alarms.
Landlords must do this in all private rented properties with rooms designed to live in.
These regulations protect renters and improve fire safety in rented buildings. That’s why it’s so important you apply them inside all your renting properties.
Here’s what landlords must do by law:
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Install at least one smoke alarm on each storey where there’s a room used as living accommodation. The law has required this in the private rented sector since 2015.
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Equip a carbon monoxide alarm in any lived-in room with a fixed combustion appliance. This excludes gas cookers, but includes gas boilers and log burners.
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Repair or replace these alarms at once if they are faulty.
Failure to do this might mean a fine of up to £5,000. Local authorities can impose these fines on landlords within their area. Protect yourself by making sure you comply.
Landlords should consider these regulations alongside other safety-focused laws in rented homes. This includes the Housing Act 2004, the Fire Safety Act 2021, and the Building Safety Act 2022.
It is the landlord’s responsibility to apply these regulations inside their properties. You should seek legal advice if your particular position as a landlord is unclear.
For more information, please contact your local authority. You can find your district council on the UK Government’s website.
You can also use our website to find more details about business fire safety.
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