Regulations for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have been updated.

Updates to smoke and carbon monoxide alarm regulations.

The smoke and carbon monoxide alarm regulations are changing; here's what you need to know.

All rented properties in England will be required to comply with new smoke and carbon monoxide alarm regulations beginning October 1, 2022.

Important changes for landlords

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Laws 2022, which supersede building safety regulations beginning in 2015, introduce several significant modifications for private and registered social housing landlords.

Smoke alarms will now be required in privately and publicly rented dwellings. Carbon monoxide alarms must be installed in rooms with fixed combustion appliances, such as gas boilers or fireplaces.

Now, landlords must:

• Install a smoke detector on each floor of a dwelling that is used as living space.

• In every room with a fixed combination appliance, install a carbon monoxide alarm (this excludes gas cookers)

• If notified that the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are defective, repair and replace them.

These fire safety and building safety requirements do not include a transition time. Therefore, landlords must act and implement any necessary adjustments by 1 October 2022 or face fines of up to £5,000 per violation for noncompliance.

Alarm types

The new legislation does not define whether carbon monoxide and smoke alarms must be mains-powered or battery-powered. Landlords are encouraged to select alarms that are optimally suited for the properties where they will be put.

Smoke alarms must conform to British Standard (BS) 5839-6, while carbon monoxide alarms must conform to BS 50291.

Accountability for testing

As testing alarms is a very simple operation, tenants should conduct tests themselves and notify landlords of any problems. Landlords may be required to provide testing instructions, including the frequency with which alarms must be checked.

We urge that landlords inform their tenants of this legal duty to increase access rates for any work that must be performed following this change.

We are here to help.

Landlords should immediately take corrective measures for non-compliant properties. Metro-Pat 247 Limited is devoted to assisting both private and public landlords to maintain safe and compliant properties. Call us on 020 3600 9964, or book online.

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