This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.
Since 1 October 2022, the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 require private landlords in England to install a smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers). At the start of each new tenancy, you must check that every alarm is working.
The cost is minimal (£15 to £30 per standalone alarm). The fine for non-compliance is up to £5,000.
What you must install
Smoke alarms: At least one on every storey of the property that is used as living accommodation. "Storey" includes basements and attic rooms if they are used for living. Hallways and landings are the standard locations, but any room on the storey qualifies.
Carbon monoxide (CO) alarms: In any room that contains a fixed combustion appliance. This covers gas boilers, gas fires, wood-burning stoves, open fires, and oil-fired appliances. The 2022 amendment extended the requirement to gas appliances; previously it covered only solid-fuel burning appliances.
Gas cookers are excluded. You do not need a CO alarm in the kitchen solely because of the cooker, though one is recommended.
Testing duties
At the start of each new tenancy, you (or your agent) must test every smoke and CO alarm to confirm it is in working order. This means physically pressing the test button and verifying the alarm sounds.
You do not have a legal duty to test alarms during the tenancy, but GOV.UK guidance recommends making tenants aware of their responsibility to test regularly and report any faults.
Keep a record of the test date and the results. A simple dated note or photograph of the test being conducted is sufficient.
Types of alarm
The regulations do not prescribe a specific type. Battery-powered, mains-wired, and sealed lithium-battery alarms all comply. However:
Mains-wired alarms with battery backup are more reliable and do not depend on tenants replacing batteries. Sealed 10-year lithium battery alarms are a practical middle ground for properties without easy access to mains wiring. Interlinked alarms (where triggering one sets off all alarms in the property) are required in HMOs and Scottish properties and are recommended for all rental properties.
A basic standalone optical smoke alarm costs £15 to £30. A CO alarm costs £15 to £25. A full interlinked system for a three-bedroom house (mains-wired with battery backup) costs £200 to £400 including installation.
HMO requirements
HMOs have additional fire safety requirements under their licence conditions and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. A standard HMO licence typically requires interlinked smoke alarms (not just standalone), fire doors with intumescent strips and cold-smoke seals, emergency lighting in communal areas, and fire extinguishers or blankets.
The basic smoke and CO alarm regulations apply on top of these HMO-specific requirements.
Enforcement
If a local authority has reasonable grounds to believe you are not compliant, they issue a remedial notice requiring you to install the missing alarms within 28 days.
If you fail to comply with the remedial notice, the local authority can issue a fine of up to £5,000. They can also arrange for the alarms to be installed at your expense.
The fine is per breach, so a property missing smoke alarms on two storeys could theoretically attract two penalties.
Practical recommendations
Install mains-wired interlinked alarms where possible. The upfront cost is higher, but they are more reliable and eliminate the risk of tenants removing batteries or ignoring low-battery warnings.
Replace all alarms at the ten-year mark, regardless of whether they appear to be working. Sensor degradation reduces effectiveness over time. Record the installation date on each alarm with a permanent marker.
Include alarm testing as part of your annual gas safety visit. The gas engineer is already at the property, and a five-minute alarm test adds minimal time.
If a tenant reports a faulty alarm, replace it promptly. A delay between report and replacement is a compliance gap that the local authority will examine if there is an incident.
Sources
- Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022, legislation.gov.uk. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2022/707/contents [Accessed 6 May 2026]
- GOV.UK, "Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms: explanatory booklet for landlords". https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-alarms-explanatory-booklet-for-landlords [Accessed 6 May 2026]