Smoke and carbon monoxide regulations

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 came into force on 1 October 2022.

From that date, all relevant landlords must:

• Ensure at least one smoke alarm is equipped on each storey of their homes where there is a room used as living accommodation. This has been a legal requirement in the private rented sector since 2015
• Ensure a carbon monoxide alarm is equipped in any room used as living accommodation which contains a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers)
• Ensure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are repaired or replaced once informed and found that they are faulty.

Landlords found to be in breach of their duties will receive a notice requiring works to be carried out within 28 days. Failure to carry out these works will result in a fixed penalty charge notice, a fine and associated costs.

Please note that, although the risk of harm in the event of a fire is reduced by the presence of battery-operated smoke detectors, we promote best practice and strongly recommend you consider the provision and installation of hard-wired interlinked smoke and heat detectors within the property at the earliest convenience or change of tenancy.