Compliance
Smoke and CO alarm regulations for landlords
What alarms you need, where to place them, and how to stay compliant.
Legal requirements
Since October 2022, all rented properties in England must have:
- A smoke alarm on every storey with a habitable room
- A carbon monoxide (CO) alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (gas boiler, gas fire, wood burner, etc.)
Alarms must be in working order at the start of each new tenancy. It's good practice to check them at every inspection.
What type of alarm?
The regulations don't specify a particular type, but sealed lithium battery alarms (10-year life) are recommended over 9V battery models. Mains-wired interlinked alarms are the gold standard for HMOs.
Penalties
Local authorities can issue fines of up to £5,000 per offence for non-compliance. They may also issue a remedial notice requiring installation within 28 days.
Tracking in Tendmere
Tendmere includes smoke and CO alarms in your compliance checklist. Mark them as checked during inspections, and set reminder dates for battery replacements or alarm renewals.
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