Smoke and CO Alarm Regulations for Landlords 2026

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms save lives. As a landlord in England or Wales, fitting and maintaining them isn't optional — it's a legal obligation with penalties for non-compliance.

The rules were updated in October 2022, and many landlords still aren't aware of the changes. Here's what you need to know.

The current rules (England)

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 updated the original 2015 regulations. As of 1 October 2022, landlords in England must:

1. Fit smoke alarms on every storey of a rental property that has a room used as living accommodation
2. Fit carbon monoxide alarms in any room that contains a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers)
3. Repair or replace alarms that are reported as faulty during the tenancy

What changed in 2022?

The main changes were:

• Carbon monoxide alarms are now required in rooms with any fixed combustion appliance — not just solid fuel appliances. This means rooms with gas boilers, gas fires, and oil-fired appliances now need CO alarms too (gas cookers are still exempt).
• Landlords must repair or replace faulty alarms when notified by tenants — this was previously not explicitly stated.

Where exactly do alarms need to go?

Smoke alarms

At least one smoke alarm on every storey that has a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation. This includes:

• Ground floor (living room, kitchen, bedrooms)
• First floor (bedrooms, bathroom)
• Loft conversions used as bedrooms
• Basements with living space

The regulations don't specify exact positioning, but best practice (and Building Regulations guidance) is:

• Hallways and landings — the most common location
• Within 3 metres of bedroom doors where possible
• Ceiling-mounted, at least 300mm from walls
• Away from kitchens (to reduce false alarms) — but still on the same storey

Carbon monoxide alarms

In any room that contains a fixed combustion appliance, except gas cookers. This includes rooms with:

• Gas boilers
• Gas fires
• Wood-burning stoves
• Oil-fired boilers
• Coal fires

The alarm should be placed:

• At head height on a wall (or on the ceiling)
• 1–3 metres from the appliance
• Not directly above the appliance
• Not in a cupboard or behind furniture

What type of alarms?

The regulations don't specify a particular type, but:

• Smoke alarms: Optical alarms are generally recommended for hallways and landings. Ionisation alarms are better for fast-flaming fires but cause more false alarms near kitchens. Multi-sensor alarms combine both technologies and are widely regarded as the most versatile option.
• Carbon monoxide alarms: Must comply with BS 50291. Look for the Kitemark or equivalent certification.
• Battery vs. mains-powered: The regulations allow battery-operated alarms. However, mains-powered alarms with battery backup are more reliable and are required in new builds.

Interlinked alarms (where one alarm triggers all others) are not required but are strongly recommended, particularly in HMOs and multi-storey properties.

Testing requirements

You must ensure alarms are in proper working order on the day a new tenancy begins. In practice, this means:

• Test every alarm on the day the tenant moves in (or immediately before)
• Document that you've tested them — this is your evidence
• Keep a record of when alarms were last tested and when batteries were last replaced

During the tenancy, tenants should test alarms regularly (monthly is standard advice). If a tenant reports a faulty alarm, you must repair or replace it — the 2022 amendment made this explicit.

The rules in Wales

Wales operates under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 rather than the English regulations. The requirements are broadly similar:

• Smoke alarms must be fitted
• CO alarms must be fitted where there are combustion appliances
• The property must meet the Welsh Housing Quality Standard

Check your specific obligations with our compliance score tool.

Penalties for non-compliance

England

The local authority can issue a remedial notice requiring you to fit alarms within 28 days. If you don't comply:

• The local authority can enter the property and fit alarms themselves
• You can be fined up to £5,000
• Non-compliance may affect your ability to serve a valid Section 21 notice

HMOs

HMO licensing conditions typically include additional fire safety requirements:

• Fire alarms (not just smoke alarms) may be required
• Emergency lighting in communal areas
• Fire doors
• Fire risk assessment

These go beyond the basic smoke alarm regulations. If your property is an HMO, the licensing conditions take priority and are usually more stringent.

Landlord checklist

Here's a quick checklist for compliance:

• Smoke alarm fitted on every storey with living accommodation
• CO alarm fitted in every room with a fixed combustion appliance (except gas cookers)
• All alarms tested and working on day one of each tenancy
• Record of testing kept as evidence
• Process in place for tenants to report faulty alarms
• Faulty alarms repaired or replaced when reported

How DueProper will help

DueProper will track your smoke and CO alarm compliance for each property. Get reminders to test alarms at the start of each tenancy and upload your testing records as evidence.

Coming soon — join the waitlist for early access.

Check your compliance score for free →

Related reading

• Gas safety certificates: a landlord's complete guide — annual gas safety check requirements
• How much do landlord fines actually cost? — penalties for smoke alarm and other breaches

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This article is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify your obligations with current legislation at legislation.gov.uk.