Landlord Alert - new smoke and carbon monoxide rules are imminent

An industry trade body is alerting landlords that new smoke and carbon monoxide alarm rules are likely to be introduced soon - possibly this year.

Propertymark is reminding landlords and agents that since October 2015 there’s been a legal requirement for a smoke alarm to be fitted on every floor of a property where a room is used wholly or partly as living accommodation.

There must also be a carbon monoxide alarm in any room where a solid fuel such as wood, coal or biomass is being burned - and that includes open fires, although not gas, oil or LPG. 

Landlords and agents are also expected to ensure that the alarms work at the start of each new tenancy.

Now the regime is getting tougher with housing minister Eddie Hughes outlining further changes:

- carbon monoxide alarms will be mandatory in rooms with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers) in both private and social rented homes;

- carbon monoxide alarms will also be mandatory upon installation of any heating appliance (excluding gas cookers) in all tenures through building regulations;

- private and social landlords will be expected to repair or replace alarms once informed that they are faulty.

Propertymark says the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is urging all private landlords - as well as registered providers of social housing - to begin installation and repair of these alarms immediately, if they believe they are not already compliant. 

Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, says: “Parity across tenures is a key focus of the UK Government and extending the regulations to gas appliances will provide additional levels of protection for tenants.

“Letting agents should be aware that the changes will introduce an obligation on private landlords to repair or replace any alarm which is found to be faulty during the period of a tenancy.

“The current regulations only oblige landlords to check that alarms are in working order on the first day of a new tenancy. Ahead of implementation, agents and their landlords should start now to plan for the changes and the impact on management practices going forward.”

Official guidance for landlords can be found here.

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