Smoke alarms for landlords and tenants

Information for landlords and tenants

Safety laws for landlords came into force on 1st October 2015, making it compulsory for all landlords to fit smoke alarms in rented homes, as well as offering protection against carbon monoxide poisoning.

The safety laws make it compulsory for all landlords to:

• Fit at least one smoke alarm on each floor of their premises

• Fit a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms containing a solid fuel appliance

• Check that all alarms are working when a new tenancy starts - with potential penalties of up to £5,000 if they don’t comply.

Landlords must check the alarms are working at the start of every new tenancy with potential penalties of up to £5,000 if they don't comply.

Tenants are required to check the alarms are in working order and notify the landlord if they identify any problems.

How to fit smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms

A brief guide to fitting smoke and carbon monoxide alarms (new window, PDF 380KB)

About the laws

The following links and documents provide more information about the new safety laws:

• The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm [England] Regulations 2015 (new window, PDF 78KB)

• Q&A Booklet - Landlords and Tenants (new window, PDF 159KB)

• Q&A booklet for Local Authorities (new window, PDF 222KB)

• Read our short summary of what the regulations mean

• Key facts - why the move adds up to a major boost for fire safety (new window, PDF 71KB) 

• Trailblazer - how Cheshire spearheaded the campaign to bring in the life-saving legislation

Last updated: Wednesday 21 November 2018