Fire safety in your home - Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms in Privately Rented Homes

People living in rented or shared accommodation are seven times more likely to have a fire according to research from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

Since October 2015, if you're a landlord you will be bound by law to:

  • install one smoke alarm on each story of your rental property
  • install one carbon monoxide alarm in any room that contains a solid fuel burning appliance
  • test each alarm at the beginning of the tenancy

This is the minimum requirement in order to comply with the legislation, further details about the new law can be found by following this link https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-alarms-explanatory-booklet-for-landlords

Enforcement of the Regulations is the responsibility of the local housing authority, which can require landlords to fit alarms and if the landlord fails to do so has the power to arrange for them to be fitted. There is a power to levy a penalty charge on the landlord. The penalty charge is limited to £5000.

Tenants
If you're a tenant and you'd like some further fire safety advice please complete our our Safe and Well Questionnaire