New Carbon Monoxide Alarm Laws

According to the NHS, around 60 people die of accidental carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning every year. In a significant step to reduce accidental carbon monoxide poisoning in rented accommodation, the government has announced changes to the law regarding carbon monoxide alarms that all landlords and agents must respond to.

Landlord’s current responsibilities regarding CO alarms

There is already clear legal guidance in place regarding the responsibility of landlords to have the appropriate CO monitoring in place, with current requirements stating:

• At least one smoke alarm is installed on every property storey used as living accommodation.
• A carbon monoxide alarm is installed in any room used as living accommodation where solid fuel is burned. A solid fuel-burning appliance could be a coal fire or wood-burning stove.

Avoiding a large fine

In addition, to fitting CO alarms where appropriate, alarms must be checked regularly to ensure they are working at the beginning of a tenancy and audible throughout the property. Landlords should consider proving that they have checked the alarms at the appropriate times.

Failing to comply with regulations can lead to a fine of up to £5000 for landlords, so it’s important that you are aware of what you need to know about Smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarm verification.

New rule changes

The new legislation announced in November 2021 takes existing rules further, making it a legal requirement to:

• Fit carbon monoxide alarms in properties with fixed appliances, such as gas boilers and fires
• Fit carbon monoxide alarms when new appliances such as gas boilers or fires are installed in any home
• Repair or replace smoke and carbon monoxide alarms for properties in the social and private rented sectors once the landlord or their agents are informed of a fault.

How can landlords and letting agents comply with the regulations

The requirements of landlords to provide adequate protection from the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning by installing sufficient alarms means regular checks should be built into your property management routine to ensure they aren’t missed.

No Letting Go’s Smoke and CO verification will ensure you stay compliant by working with you to put in place regular checks of your CO alarms to make sure that not only are they working but that they are in the right location. This can be done at the start of a new tenancy, and during regular interim checks, so you don’t have to rely on the tenant to ensure they are in working order.

No Letting Go, giving you peace of mind

Reports generated through our checks include specific smoke and carbon monoxide safety sections that guarantee you meet regulations and any more changes brought in, giving you peace of mind that your tenants are safe from the danger of carbon monoxide.

Our local support or national network at No Letting Go can be your inventory partner for your property, whether it’s a single flat or a housing portfolio. If you wish to find out more about how we can help streamline your cost and reduce your workload, contact No Letting Go today.