From 1st October 2015 landlords of privately rented homes are required to:
- Fit at least one smoke alarm on each floor within their properties
- Fit a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms containing a solid fuel appliance
- Check that all alarms are working when a new tenancy starts
Subject to parliamentary approval the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England)
Regulations 2015 will be coming into force on 1st October 2015. Local Councils will be
responsible for enforcement of the regulations. Landlords who do not have smoke detectors
and carbon monoxide detectors fitted and in full working order will be subject to remedial
work by the Council and a penalty charge of up to £5000.
The government has allocated Local Fire and Rescue Service smoke alarms and
Carbon monoxide alarms to give to landlords of privately rented houses for free.
The offer of free alarms is subject to availability and the landlord will be asked for details of
the ownership and address of the property in which the alarms are to be installed. If the
property already has a mains wired smoke and heat detection system within the dwelling,
this requirement does not apply.
Although the requirement for Carbon Monoxide detectors is only for solid fuel appliances The Good Estate Agent is recommending that all landlords have these fitted as the cost is minimal and could save lives.