Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Alarm installation requirements
Current Requirements
Since 1 October 2022, landlords in England must:
- Install smoke alarms on every storey with living accommodation
- Install carbon monoxide alarms in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers)
- Ensure alarms are in working order at the start of each new tenancy
- Repair or replace faulty alarms reported during the tenancy
Fixed combustion appliances requiring CO alarms include gas boilers, gas fires, oil-fired boilers, wood-burning stoves, coal fires and solid fuel appliances.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Current penalties:
- Local authorities can issue remedial notices requiring installation or repair
- Failure to comply with remedial notices: fines up to £5,000
- Local authority can install alarms and recover costs from you
From 1 May 2026: Additional penalties under Decent Homes Standard enforcement (up to £7,000 initial, £40,000 repeated).
Need Help With Smoke & CO?
Safety requirements are reinforced under the Decent Homes Standard. We ensure alarms are installed, tested, and documented at every tenancy - with records to prove compliance. Get in touch to learn more.