Published: 30/04/2022 By Victoria Banet
Under the current regulations, since 1 October 2015 landlords have needed to ensure that a smoke alarm is fitted on every floor of their property where there is a room used as living accommodation. They also must put a carbon monoxide alarm in any room where a solid fuel is burnt, such as wood, coal or biomass and includes open fires. It currently does not include gas, oil or LPG. Landlords or agents must ensure that the alarms work at the start of each new tenancy.In November 2020, Housing Minister Eddie Hughes MP informed us of the following key changes to the rules:
• 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.
• smoke alarms will be mandatory in all social rented homes
DLUHC is urging all private landlords and registered providers of social housing to begin installation and repair of these alarms immediately, as they risk being fined for breaching the rules as soon as they come into force.