Keeping rental properties safe is one of the most important responsibilities of being a landlord.
While the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations are now well established it’s always worth checking that your property remains fully compliant.
Here’s a reminder of the current requirements for landlords in England:
Smoke Alarms
Landlords must ensure there is at least one smoke alarm installed on every storey of a rental property where there is a room used as living accommodation.
The alarms must be tested and confirmed to be working at the start of every new tenancy.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
A carbon monoxide alarm must be installed in any room used as living accommodation that contains a fixed combustion appliance such as:
- Gas fires
- Wood burning or multi fuel stoves
- Oil fired appliances
- Gas or oil boilers
Gas cookers are exempt from this requirement.
Ongoing Responsibilities
If a tenant reports that a smoke alarm or carbon monoxide alarm is faulty landlords are legally responsible for ensuring it is repaired or replaced as soon as reasonably practicable.
Although tenants are generally expected to carry out routine testing and replace batteries where appropriate during the tenancy any faulty alarm should be reported without delay.
Why Compliance Matters
Failing to comply with the regulations can lead to enforcement action by the local authority including civil penalties of up to £5,000.
More importantly, correctly installed and maintained alarms can save lives by providing early warning of fire or carbon monoxide.
Keeping property compliant may also be a condition of landlord insurance policy making regular checks an important part of responsible property management.
At Horizon Lets we work with our landlords to help ensure rental properties remain safe, compliant and ready for every new tenancy.
If you have any questions about your responsibilities or would like support managing your property our team at Horizon are always happy to help!
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