Smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarms become compulsory from 1 October 2022
New Regulations state, that all rented properties in England must provide a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms used as living accommodation where there is a fixed combustion appliance, such as gas heaters and boilers, from the beginning of October 2022.
The amended rules (Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022) include a new requirement to ensure when a tenant reports to the landlord or letting agent that an alarm may not be in proper working order, the alarm must be repaired or replaced.
The Draft Statutory Instrument was laid before Parliament on 11 May 2022 and once approved will come into force on 1 October 2022.
What does this mean for Landlords?
The government intends to bring forward these changes as soon as practicable:
social landlords will be obliged to ensure at least one smoke alarm is installed on each storey of their homes
both social and private landlords will be obliged to ensure a carbon monoxide alarm is installed in any room in their homes with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers)
in any home, when a new fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers) is installed, a carbon monoxide alarm will be required by law to be installed
landlords will be legally obliged to repair or replace alarms once informed that they are faulty (testing will remain the resident’s responsibility)