Potential changing requirements on Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide alarms

This 30 second update will give you a quick run-through of the potential changes in the expectation of landlords for Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Alarms.

Currently, the legal requirements – the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 - are that a carbon monoxide alarm must be fitted in rooms that have a solid fuel burning appliance, such as a coal fire or a wood burning stove. Smoke alarms must be fitted on every floor of a rental property, at a minimum, and that they are checked at the beginning of every new tenancy.

Although landlords are encouraged to fit them in all rooms with gas appliances too, it has not been a compulsory measure. However, this may be changing and could now be required along with obligatory checks with every new tenancy and repair request.

Checks and repairs on safety measures are so important especially since it has been revealed, through reviews, that installed fire alarms did not go off in around half of incidents where households have experienced a fire. The main reason cited was that the fire was too far away from the smoke alarm, suggesting that more alarms should be installed throughout properties.

We will keep an eye on any changes to the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 and will keep our landlords and tenants updated.

If you do have any questions on the Smoke and Carbon Mnoxide alarms in your property, or need any other guidance in property management then please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at Sarah Clark Property Consultants on becky@sarahclarkproeprties.co.uk or 01174522400