⚖️ The Law — What Landlords Must Have
The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 came into force on 1 October 2022 and apply to all private rented properties in England.
| Requirement | Where | Fine for Non-Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Smoke alarm | Every storey with living accommodation | Up to £5,000 |
| CO alarm | Every room with a fixed combustion appliance | Up to £5,000 |
| CO alarm | Any room with a solid fuel appliance (wood burner) | Up to £5,000 |
What is a "combustion appliance"? This includes boilers, gas fires, wood burners, and gas cookers. From 2022, any room with a boiler must have a CO alarm — even if it's just a boiler cupboard.
📍 Where to Position Alarms
Smoke alarms:
- On the ceiling, at least 30cm from walls and light fittings
- Landing of each floor — minimum requirement
- In every bedroom and living room for best protection
- NOT in kitchens (use a heat alarm instead)
- NOT in bathrooms (steam triggers false alarms)
CO alarms:
- In the same room as the combustion appliance
- At head height — CO is similar in weight to air
- At least 1 metre from the appliance
- Away from windows, doors and areas with high humidity
🔋 Alarm Types — What You Need to Know
| Type | Lifespan | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Battery smoke alarm | 10 years (sealed) | Rooms, landings |
| Mains-wired smoke alarm | 10 years | HMOs, new builds |
| Battery CO alarm | 5-7 years | Boiler rooms, gas fires |
| Combination alarm | 7-10 years | Small flats |
Landlord tip: Use 10-year sealed battery alarms — no battery replacements needed for the life of the alarm, reducing maintenance calls from tenants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — since October 2022, landlords in England must fit a CO alarm in every room containing a fixed combustion appliance, which includes boilers. This applies to all boilers including combi, system and conventional boilers.
CO alarms have a lifespan of 5-7 years (check the manufacturer's date on the back). After this time they must be replaced even if they appear to work. Smoke alarms last up to 10 years. FE Maintenance can check and replace your alarms during a gas safety visit.
Landlords must test alarms on the first day of each tenancy. After that, responsibility for testing (but not replacing) generally falls to tenants. However, landlords must ensure alarms are in working order and replace faulty ones promptly.
Battery-operated smoke and CO alarms can be installed by the landlord. Mains-wired (hard-wired) alarm systems must be installed by a qualified electrician. FE Maintenance installs both types across London — call 020 8445 1303.
A smoke alarm detects smoke particles and should be used in living rooms, bedrooms and hallways. A heat alarm detects a rapid rise in temperature and is better suited to kitchens where cooking smoke would trigger false alarms in a standard smoke alarm.
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