Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

 All private rented properties must legally have

• At least one smoke alarm installed on every storey used as living accommodation
• A carbon monoxide alarm in any room used as living accommodation where solid fuel is used.

It’s the responsibility of the landlord make sure the alarms are working at the start of each new tenancy. After the landlord’s first test it is the tenant’s responsibility to make sure the alarms are still working during their tenancy.

For more details of responsibilities and types of alarm that are acceptable download the Booklet for the private rented sector – landlords and tenants. [PDF Document]

Enforcement

We’re responsible for making sure that all relevant properties in the borough meet these requirements.

If we think a landlord has not met the requirements we will issue a remedial notice. The landlord has 28 days to comply with this notice. If they fail to we will take action to make sure the requirements are met and may then issue a civil penalty charge of up to £5,000 to the landlord.

For full details of the action we can take and the civil penalty charges download our Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms statement of principles [233kb].