The Government has introduced new regulations on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in the social rented sector, and new regulations on carbon monoxide alarms in the private rented sector.
The regulations apply both to houses and flats and also to HMOs. Failure to comply can lead to a civil penalty being imposed of up to £5,000.
As of 1 October 2022, landlords in England need to:
Government guidance doesn’t state where alarms should be installed. However, it outlines that, "in general", smoke alarms should be "fixed to the ceiling in a circulation space", such as halls or landings, whilst it advises carbon monoxide alarms should be "positioned at head height, either on a wall or shelf, approximately 1-3 metres away from a potential source of carbon monoxide".
Smoke alarms should comply with British Standards BS 5839-6, while carbon monoxide alarms should comply with British Standards BS 50291.
The regulations require checks to be made by the landlord or agent to ensure that each prescribed alarm is in proper working order on the day any new tenancy begins.
The full Government guidance can be found here.
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