Carbon Monoxide Regulations 2022

Carbon monoxide regulations

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm regulations 2022 will come into force on the 1st October 2022

Both social and private sector landlords are legally required to:

1.       Ensure that at least 1 smoke alarm is equipped on each storey of their homes where there is a room used as living accommodation. (social landlords)

2.       Ensure carbon monoxide alarm is equipped in any room used as a living accommodation which contains a fixed combustion appliance (social and private landlords)

3.       Ensure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are repaired or replaced once informed or found that they are faulty during the period of the tenancy.

Requirements are enforced by local authorities who can impose a fine up to £5,000 where a landlord fails to comply with a remedial notice

The regulations should be considered alongside other relevant laws on fire and carbon monoxide safety in rented homes such as the housing act 2004, fire safety act 2021, building safety act 2022

When it comes to landlords replacing or repairing smoke alarms

-          If the smoke alarm is battery powered the tenants are advised to arrange for the replacement of batteries rather than the landlord

-          Only if the smoke alarm continues not to work after new batteries have been put in, it should be reported to their landlord

Testing the smoke alarm

-          It is straightforward for tenants to do

-          However the landlord should consider showing the tenants how to check their smoke alarm is working and to ensure they are in working order

Landlords must be inclusive to their tenants when providing the smoke alarms as if their tenant has a disability. As a landlord you should provide suitable alarms for all tenants’ circumstances. Landlords should/must consider their duties under the Equality Act 2010

Heat detectors are not a replacement for smoke alarms

Tenancies which are exempt from the regulations

-          Shared accommodation with a landlord or landlords family

-          Long leases

-          Student halls of residence

-          Hotels and refuges

-          Care homes

-          Hospitals and hospices

-          Low cost ownership homes

-          Other accommodation relating to health care provision

Regulations do not apply to owner occupiers

All landlords have time between when the amendment regulations became law on 27th June 2022 and when they come into force on 1st October 2022.

Landlords must comply with the new requirements from 1st October 2022