Smoke and CO Alarm Requirements in England

The current smoke and carbon monoxide alarm regulations in England came into force on 1 October 2022 and apply to almost all rented residential properties.

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Smoke Alarm Requirements

Landlords must ensure:

• At least one smoke alarm is installed on every storey of the property used as living accommodation
• Alarms are working at the start of each tenancy
• Faulty alarms are repaired or replaced promptly once reported

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Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirements

Under smoke and CO alarm legislation, Surrey, London, landlords must install carbon monoxide alarms in:

• Any room containing a fixed combustion appliance
• Appliances include gas boilers, gas fires, oil boilers, and solid fuel appliances
• Gas cookers are excluded under current English regulations

CO alarms must be correctly positioned and compliant with relevant British Standards.

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Alarm Checks During a Gas Safety Certificate CP12

During an annual Gas Safety Certificate CP12, a Gas Safe engineer will:

• Confirm smoke and CO alarms are present where legally required
• Check alarms are within date and not expired
• Record compliance observations on the gas safety documentation

This provides landlords with documented evidence that alarm obligations were met at the time of inspection.

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Smoke and CO Alarm Rules in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland

Landlords with properties outside England should be aware that requirements differ.

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Scotland

• Smoke alarms are required in circulation spaces
• Heat alarms are required in kitchens
• CO alarms required in rooms with combustion appliances
• All alarms must be interlinked

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Wales

• Hard-wired, interlinked smoke alarms on every storey
• CO alarms are required in all fuel-burning rooms, including gas cookers
• Compliance standards are stricter than in England

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Northern Ireland

From September 2024:

• Smoke alarms are required in living areas and circulation spaces
• Heat alarms are required in kitchens
• CO alarms are required in rooms with fixed combustion appliances
• All alarms must be interlinked

Landlords should ensure alarm checks form part of annual gas safety inspections.

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Practical Compliance Tips for Landlords

To remain compliant with smoke and CO alarm legislation in Surrey, London, landlords should:

• Install alarms meeting relevant British Standards (for example, EN 50291 for CO alarms)
• Keep records of alarm installation and replacement dates
• Clearly outline tenant responsibilities for routine testing
• Carry out periodic visual checks between tenancies
• Ensure alarms are reviewed during every Gas Safety Certificate CP12 inspection

Good record-keeping is essential in the event of local authority enforcement.

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Penalties for Non-Compliance

Local authorities have enforcement powers under housing safety legislation.

Failure to comply with smoke and CO alarm requirements can result in:

• Remedial notices
• Civil penalties of up to £5,000 per breach
• Increased liability in the event of tenant injury or incident

Staying compliant protects tenants and reduces legal exposure.

You can read more at:

Official GOV.UK Guidance on Smoke & CO Alarm Regulations

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022: guidance for landlords and tenants (England) — this is the government’s official guidance document explaining landlord obligations under the updated regulations (in force from 1 October 2022).
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-alarms-explanatory-booklet-for-landlords?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Useful Supporting GOV.UK Page

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms: landlord responsibilities — summarises the requirements and enforcement powers under the regulations. GOV.UK
🔗 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-alarms-explanatory-booklet-for-landlords GOV.UK

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Landlord Compliance Support from Certificates4UK Ltd

Certificates4UK Ltd provides landlord safety services across Surrey and London, supporting compliance with gas safety and alarm regulations.

During inspections, landlords benefit from:

• Experienced Gas Safe engineers
• Alarm compliance recorded alongside CP12 certification
• Clear documentation for landlord records

With long-standing experience supporting rental properties, Certificates4UK Ltd ensures alarm compliance is correctly assessed and recorded as part of routine gas safety inspections.

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