What are landlords' smoke and carbon monoxide alarm rules?
Landlords in England must fit a smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance, other than a gas cooker. Alarms must work on the first day of each tenancy and be repaired or replaced once a fault is reported.
Read more in our guide: Selling a portfolio with tenants
Key facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Law | Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015, amended from 1 October 2022 |
| Smoke alarms | At least one on every storey with living accommodation |
| Carbon monoxide alarms | In every room with a fixed combustion appliance (gas, oil, coal or wood), except gas cookers |
| Testing | Checked as working on the first day of each new tenancy |
| Faults | Repaired or replaced once the landlord is told |
| Penalty | Up to £5,000 |
| HMOs | Higher standards, usually interlinked mains alarms and fire doors |
What the Rules Require
The rules apply to almost all private and social tenancies in England. Landlords can choose the type of alarm, but sealed ten-year battery or mains-wired alarms reduce the risk of tenants removing batteries. In HMOs and larger buildings, fire safety goes further: councils normally expect a fire risk assessment, mains-powered interlinked detection, fire doors and protected escape routes, often following the LACORS fire safety guidance. Blocks of flats also fall under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for common parts.
Fire Safety and Selling
- Buyers will ask how alarms were checked at the start of each tenancy, so keep signed check-in records or photos.
- For HMOs they will want the fire risk assessment, alarm servicing records and emergency lighting tests.
- Missing fire doors or detection in an HMO can be costly to fix and can affect the licence, so investors price it in.
- Fire safety is one of the hazards assessed under HHSRS and the Decent Homes Standard.
Official Sources and Further Reading
- GOV.UK: Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, explanatory booklet
- GOV.UK: Private renting, your landlord's safety responsibilities
General information for landlords in England, checked against official sources in October 2026. It is not tax, legal or financial advice: speak to a qualified accountant or solicitor about your own circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Landlords in England must fit a smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance, other than a gas cooker. Alarms must work on the first day of each tenancy and be repaired or replaced once a fault is reported.
At least one on every storey of the home used wholly or partly as living accommodation.
Yes. Since 1 October 2022, a carbon monoxide alarm is required in any room with a fixed combustion appliance, including gas boilers, but not gas cookers.
Councils can issue a remedial notice and a penalty of up to £5,000 if the landlord does not comply.
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