What it is
The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 require landlords in England to have at least one smoke alarm on each storey used as living accommodation, and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room used as living accommodation with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers). Alarms must be checked as working on the first day of each new tenancy and repaired or replaced once reported faulty. We test existing alarms and install new ones — battery or mains-powered, standalone or interlinked — to suit the property.
What's included
- Testing of existing smoke, heat and CO alarms
- Advice on positioning and coverage
- Installation quoted or priced per alarm
Not included
- Commercial fire alarm systems (see fire alarm servicing)
- Gas appliance safety checks
Who needs it
- Landlords and letting agents
- HMO landlords
- Homeowners upgrading to interlinked alarms
What you'll receive
Record of alarms tested or installed. Mains-powered installations are certified with a Minor Works or Installation Certificate.
How often
Checked at the start of each tenancy; alarms replaced in line with the manufacturer's stated life.
What the rules say
Each point is labelled so you can tell what's law, what's a British Standard, and what's good practice or comes from your lease, licence or insurer.
- Legal requirementEngland
Rented homes: a smoke alarm on every storey
Private and social landlords must have at least one smoke alarm on each storey with a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation, and check alarms work on the first day of a new tenancy.
Sources: 2022 Alarm Regulations (opens external site): Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (SI 2022/707); GOV.UK alarm guidance (opens external site): Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms: Q&A booklet for landlords and tenants
- Legal requirementEngland
Carbon monoxide alarms by fixed combustion appliances
A CO alarm is required in any room used as living accommodation that has a fixed combustion appliance, such as a boiler or wood burner. Gas cookers are excluded.
Sources: 2022 Alarm Regulations (opens external site): Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (SI 2022/707); GOV.UK alarm guidance (opens external site): Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms: Q&A booklet for landlords and tenants
- Legal requirementEngland
Repair or replace faulty alarms
Once told an alarm is faulty, the landlord must repair or replace it.
Sources: 2022 Alarm Regulations (opens external site): Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (SI 2022/707); GOV.UK alarm guidance (opens external site): Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms: Q&A booklet for landlords and tenants
- Technical standardUK (British Standard)
Choosing the right system
BS 5839-6 sets out grades and categories of domestic fire detection. The right one depends on the property and its risk, and your fire risk assessment or HMO licence may specify it.
Before your appointment
- Tell us the number of storeys and where any boilers, fires or wood burners are.
- Have any previous alarm records to hand.
If something's found
- Alarms that fail are replaced on the day if you agree, or quoted.
- You get a record of each alarm tested and its location.
What affects the price
- Number of alarms
- Battery or mains-powered and interlinked systems
- Ceiling height and access
Read more
- Electrical safety rules for landlords in England (private and social)
Who the 2020 regulations cover, every deadline, the 2025 extension to social housing, penalties and how the rest of the UK differs.