New regulations will come into force on 1st October 2022 making it compulsory for all landlords to ensure that their rental properties are equipped with smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Below is a summary of the changes that will be introduced by the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022.
- Social landlords will be required to provide a smoke alarm on every storey of their properties where there is a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation. This has been a legal requirement in the private rented sector since 2015.
- Both social and private landlords will be required to provide carbon monoxide alarms in any room of their properties used wholly or partly as living accommodation where a fixed combustion appliance (such as a gas heater or boiler) is present. This does not include gas cookers.
- There will be a new obligation on all landlords to repair or replace any alarm which is found to be faulty during the period of a tenancy, and landlords will be required to repair or replace alarms as soon as reasonably practicable.
These requirements will be enforceable by local authorities who can impose fines of up to £5,000 on landlords who fail to comply.
For landlord and tenant advice please contact Duygu Karatay on 01206 239 754.
