Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 came into force on 1 October 2015. These require that:

• there is a smoke alarm on each storey of rented homes where there is a bedroom or living room
• there is a carbon monoxide alarm in any living room containing a solid fuel-burning appliance
• every alarm is in working order on the day that a new tenancy begins

It is our responsibility to ensure that these requirements are met. If a landlord fails to do so, we will issue a remedial notice. If the landlord still does not comply, we will install the detectors ourselves and impose a financial penalty.

Penalties

• £1,250 for the first occasion that a landlord fails to comply with a remedial action notice
  • This is if they do pay within 28 days of the service of a penalty charge notice
    
    
• £2,500 for the first occasion that a landlord fails to comply with a remedial action notice.
  • This is if they do not pay within 28 days of the service of a penalty charge notice
    
    
• £5,000 for each subsequent breach to comply with a remedial notice

If you are a tenant and your landlord or agent has not installed these or they are not working, please contact us. If you are a landlord and would like some advice on smoke alarms, please contact us.

We must publish a 'Statement of Principles' that we apply when deciding how much the penalty charges are.

Download the Statement of Principles here.